Overview

In Vallejo, California as World War II begins, hard-headed Greek-immigrant Achilles Pappayannis is the owner of the successful restaurant The Classic Grill and has big dreams of creating an elegant national restaurant chain. Achilles demands the help of his first-born son Demo who has no passion for restaurant work, vowing instead to become an actor of ancient Greek drama. As it becomes apparent Demo is gay, Achilles is deeply ashamed and increasingly outraged. Second son George, the narrator of the story, is desperate to become his father's business partner but Achilles completely overlooks his enthusiasm and culinary talent. Chrisoula, wife and mother, is conflicted as her dream of an unbreakable family crumbles before her eyes. Each character in the Pappayannis family must weigh personal aspirations against the love he or she holds for the family and the rift their desires will surely cause. Achilles must learn to open his heart and accept his sons and their American dreams - but will it be too late to save the family, his marriage and The Classic Grill?

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9781734428803

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Reviews

The Classic Grill is a rich and compelling tale chock-full of joy, love, loss, family secrets, tragedy - the family is Greek, after all - redemption, and, of course, food. The tale particularly resonates because of the artful way that Econome draws parallels between her characters' 20th-century Greek immigrant experience and current American anti-immigrant environment. Much like a hearty, savory meal, The Classic Grill is the literary equivalent of good, satisfying comfort food. --Richard Moreno, author of A Short History of Reno, Nevada Myths and Legends, and The Roadside History of Nevada As a Greek-American growing up in a restaurateur family, I deeply identified with this story. The smells, tastes and wonderful characters of The Classic Grill are authentic as are the Pappayannis' family struggles while adapting to their new country. Econome has created characters with such depth that you expect them to step out and greet you. I cried, I laughed, I remembered as I read this beautiful story. It helped me keep in mind what is important: family and love. -- Andonia Cakouros, Professor Emeritus of Theatre at California State University Sacramento, Playwright, Actress, Director The story of the Greek family in this novel is similar to my own Japanese family's story of immigrant struggle in the early 20th Century here in the United States. The difficulties that minority immigrants endured just to survive is very real in The Classic Grill and brilliantly written in this story. -- Henry Kaku, lecturer on WWII Japanese internment camps, Origami Master and Judo Sensei

Author Information

The Classic Grill - A Tale of Greek Gods and Immigrant Heroes is a work of historical fiction. As a Greek-American, Nancy Econome enjoyed creating this fictional world that honors the past but reflects current events. Nancy worked as Creative Services Director for a group of premium northern California wineries. She holds a Master's degree in Cinema from San Francisco State and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California at Davis. Nancy worked as a reporter, has written several screenplays and has also found time to ride her bike across the continental United States. Living in northern California wine country, Nancy can be found at a local Panera Bread restaurant, writing her next novel. The Classic Grill - A Tale of Greek Gods and Immigrant Heroes received Honorable Mention at the 15th Annual Maurice Prize for Fiction in 2020.

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