Kostas Phlores sets out to do something many of us think about but rarely attempt: to truly know his father. The painter Ψυχάρης was a public figure, but to his son, he remained something of a mystery. This book is the journey to bridge that gap.

The Story

Phlores doesn't just list his father's artistic achievements. Instead, he sifts through memories, family anecdotes, old letters, and the paintings themselves, looking for the man behind the brushstrokes. It's a reconstruction job. He grapples with the father he knew at home versus the artist celebrated by others, asking what was lost, what was misunderstood, and what truth lies in the space between.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is its honesty. It’s not a hero-worship piece. Phlores is open about the confusion and the quiet distance that can exist in families, even loving ones. You feel his determination to get it right, to be fair to both the memory of his father and his own experience. It made me think about my own family stories and how we shape the legacies of those closest to us.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves memoirs, family histories, or stories about art and identity. You don't need to know Greek art to connect with it. At its heart, this is a universal story about a son trying to see his father clearly, and in doing so, understanding more about himself.