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Victoria Hislop is the multi-million copy bestselling author of ten books, including The Island, The Return, The Thread, The Sunrise, Those Who are Loved, The Last Dance and Other Stories, Cartes Postales from Greece and One August Night and The Figurine. Her books have been translated into forty languages

Victoria’s new novel The Wine-Dark Sea will be published in September 2026

During three years of brutal civil war in Greece, thousands of children were caught in the chaos that swept across the country. Huge numbers were orphaned, many found themselves imprisoned alongside their mothers and others were left to fend for themselves. The Wine-Dark Sea follows the travails of a mother, searching for both a daughter who has been kidnapped and taken behind the Iron Curtain and a boy who, unbeknown to her, has been sold into adoption. During the brutal civil war in Greece, thousands of children were orphaned and left to fend for themselves. The Wine-Dark Sea follows the a mother, searching for both a daughter who has been kidnapped and taken behind the Iron Curtain and a boy who, unbeknown to her, has been sold into adoption. The Wine-Dark Sea Published in September 2026 When Helena inherits her grandparents' apartment, she is overwhelmed by memories of childhood summers when Greece was under a brutal military dictatorship. In the dusty rooms, Helena discovers an array of priceless antiquities. How did her grandfather amass them - and what human price was paid for them? The Figurine When Helena inherits her grand-parents' apartment, she discovers an array of priceless antiquities. How did her grandfather amass them - and what human price was paid for them? Buy Now

The Wine-Dark Sea

The Wine-Dark Sea explores the turbulence of the post-war era in Greece in this unforgettable and riveting new novel that will delight those fans who cherish The Island and The Figurine.

During three years of brutal civil war in Greece, thousands of children were caught in the chaos that swept across the country. Huge numbers were orphaned, many found themselves imprisoned alongside their mothers and others were left to fend for themselves. The Wine-Dark Sea follows the travails of a mother, searching for both a daughter who has been kidnapped and taken behind the Iron Curtain and a boy who, unbeknown to her, has been sold into adoption. 

Praise for The Wine-Dark Sea

‘A powerful, historical story inspired by real events’ Prima
‘A superb page-turner that brings history to life’ Woman & Home
‘A captivating and compelling tale of human resilience’ Sunday Post

Buy Now
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Recent News

P.S. Interview

P.S. Interview
Victoria Hislop had just escaped a prison island as a storm brewed when P.S caught up with her at the Greek retreat she shares with her husband, broadcaster and Private Eye editor lan. Her visit to Anafi Island, which once held political prisoners, was part of ongoing research which may or may not, she says, make it into a he tenth novel, The Wine-Dark Sea - its title a respectful nod to the ancient Greek ...
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Times Interview

Times Interview
'I was always Mrs Hislop but it was quite nice to be a bit more than that’ The graecophile writer who found literary success in midlife with The Island tells Andrew Billen why she can’t write her books in the King’s Road In 2001, when she was in her mid- forties, Victoria Hislop and her husband, the Private Eye editor Ian, holidayed with friends in Crete. She was discontented. “To be really open about it, ...
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Greek Treasures

Greek Treasures
Author Victoria Hislop has found endless inspiration for her life and work in the landscapes and people of Greece. Here are her top five islands. (Published in Saga) Every Greek island has its own story, whether it's a tale of gods and giants, or the drama of modern history - often connected with the Greek revolution in the 19th century, when most islands were freed from 500 years of Ottoman occupation. Arriving at any of ...
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My Life in Books

My Life in Books
'The library was always my favourite place to go' Bestselling novelist Victoria Hislop shares her love of reading and the inspiration behind her new book (Prima Magazine) Reading has been Victoria's escape since childhood. "With no mobile phones and little children's television, books were our escape into fantasy, she says. At school, the library was her favounte place to go - 'even the smell of it was special. Still a passionate reader, she reads anywhere ...
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Selected Novels

The Wine-Dark Sea
The Figurine
Maria's Island
One August Night
Those Who Are Loved cover image
The Sunrise

Social Media

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Victoria Hislop
4 days ago

“They stopped for a while at the abandoned medieval village of Anavatos and Nikos left his father in the car to listen to Giannis’ lecture on its history.” — The Wine-Dark Sea.

Victoria says: ‘The abandoned village of Anavatos in Chios could inspire a thousand stories.’ ...

“They stopped for
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Victoria Hislop
6 days ago

Join the Wine at Home Book Club by Tuesday 13th October for a chance to win a signed copy of The Wine-Dark Sea, as well as a bottle of each of their new and award-winning Greek wines.

And, if you use the code WINEDARKSEA at the checkout you'll get 10% off everything on their website until 30th October 2026.

➤ wineathome.org/pages/wine-book-club ...

Join the Wine at Hom
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Victoria Hislop
7 days ago

Victoria's epic novel The Wine-Dark Sea is out today and here's what readers have been saying on NetGalley:

‘Simply one of the best books I’ve read’ ★★★★★
‘One of my best books of the year by far’ ★★★★★
‘Most definitely one of Victoria Hislop's best novels’ ★★★★★
‘As brilliant as I had hoped…I could not put it down’ ★★★★★
‘Gripped me from the very first page’ ★★★★★

➤ linktr.ee/TheWineDarkSeaVictoriaHislop ...

Victorias epic novel
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