by Jonathan Coe
First published 2022
Calista leaves Athens in the summer of 1977, seeking adventure in the wider world. She lands a job on a Greek island transformed into a movie set, working for legendary Hollywood director Billy Wilder. The young woman knows little about her famous boss, but the glamorous new environment captivates her. Wilder faces his own struggles as Hollywood has turned its back on him, forcing him to seek German financing for his latest project. When filming moves to Munich, Calista accompanies the aging director on a deeper journey. There, she witnesses Wilder confront his family's past and the shadows of history that shaped him. As 1977 rushes toward an uncertain future, both Calista and Wilder must decide whether to cling to what they know or embrace the changes ahead.
Genres: drama, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, biographical-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Athens, Germany, Greece, Munich
Period: 1977
256 pages · Paperback · Europa Editions