‘We’re still starved of the Greek Australian story’: Will Kostakis on his new fictional book

·

Will Kostakis’ new novel We could be something is perhaps something you wouldn’t expect when browsing the Australian novel section in a bookstore or library.

It’s not set in the dry bush or in Australian suburbia. Instead, it’s in the heart of Sydney city and the main characters have a Greek family.

“Why can’t the next great Australian novel be about a Vietnamese or Greek Australian family?”, Will Kostakis tells me in a questioning tone.

“We’re still starved of the Greek Australian story.”

And I wondered about it. We are a uniquely multicultural nation, and multiple cultures merging into one represents what it means to be ‘Australian.’ This should be celebrated and recognised in Australian literature, not just multicultural literature.

Will says We could be something possesses a profoundly Australian aura accompanied with a Greek taste that all Aussies, whether you have Anglo or Greek heritage, can enjoy. 

Will Kostakis new young adult novel comes our May 2, 2023.

Kostakis’ novel is significantly inspired by his life growing up in a small Greek family and his mother running a café in Darlinghurst, Sydney.

He says the novel features “two very different sort of Australian boys who are reckoning with what it means to be a Greek Australian.” There is Sotiri who is very tune with his Greek heritage, while Harvey is less so.

In his novel, Kostakis also delves into the changing landscape of a ‘Greek yiayia’ by contrasting a post-war stereotypical yiayia and an emerging modern yiayia who speaks English.

He interweaves a ‘queer thread’ in the story as well, changing the usual trauma aspect experienced when ‘coming out’ (particularly in an ethnic family) with acceptance.

And amongst all these interesting themes is a story about a boy falling in love and learning about himself.

Will Kostakis says “We’re still starved of the Greek Australian story”. Photo: Supplied.

The teenage experience of being Greek:

Having not written a book highlighting the Greek Australian experience in ten years, Kostakis realised the teenage experience of being a Greek Australian has changed.

“That Greek family stuff is still there but it is expressed in a different way now,” he says.

Kostakis said publishing in Australia is “frozen” on the idea of what a Greek grandmother is from 20 years ago. In his book, he wanted to depict those Greek grandmothers who were born in Australia and their relationship with their grandchildren.

This idea was followed by the reality of post war migrants slowly dying or, as Kostakis says, Greek grandmothers “in the sunset” of their lives.

“The book is very, very nostalgic where the characters are obsessed with what they’re losing in real time and looking to the past,” he says.

“I really wanted to make sure that the book ultimately was a heartful reflection of the sacrifices they [Greek migrants] made for us. But I also wanted to be hopeful.”

Like many Greek Australians, Kostakis pays tribute to the Greek migrant generation and their struggle, saying “even though we’re in this period where we’re losing so much, we’ve got a part of them in us, and we keep walking when they stop.”  

Queerness and the Greek Australian identity:

After Kostakis explains his personal story about his yiayia learning about his queerness, he reflected how her traditional mindset has shifted. 

He says We could be something includesqueerness without the trauma attached to coming out because that wasn’t his experience. Instead, his yiayia showed empathy and understanding.

Kostakis says he wanted to show everyone their perceptions about ethnic reactions to queerness is capable of change.

“I didn’t want to write that it was really, really tough to ‘come out.’ Because that is not always true. I thought this was the chance to write the future I want to see,” he says.

“We expect the absolute worst from that generation. But they have come around to just being like, no like stuff it: familial love overpowers all…”

Kostakis concludes by saying the book is more than just about the Greek Australian identity. It is a story about wrestling with yourself, your identity, your family, and your dreams.

“I wanted to write a story about why we do what we do as humans,” Kostakis says.

We could be something will be released on May 2. Pre-order on Booktopia at https://bit.ly/3oP8saA

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Earlwood’s Greek spirit centre stage as ‘Plateia’ Festival secures state funding

The City of Canterbury Bankstown will host the “Love Earlwood” festival thanks to the NSW Government’s Open Streets 2025-28 Program.

Greek Consul General honoured at Hellenic Club farewell event in Sydney

Sydney’s Greek community came together on Thursday for a dignified farewell dinner in honour of Greece’s Consul General, Ioannis Mallikourtis

Field of candidates announced for 2025 Greek Community of Melbourne Board election

Greek Community of Melbourne has officially called elections for a new Board of Directors, with members set to head to the polls on June 29.

Australia Cup 2025: Strong Greek heritage club presence as Final 32 locked in

The cast for the Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 has been decided following the completion of the Preliminary Rounds.

Apostolakis and Trimis named on Young Matildas squad for upcoming training camp

CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis has settled on a 32-player squad for a domestic training camp to be held in Sydney.

You May Also Like

When Jenny Mikakos reunited with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni

Former Labor Health Minister Jenny Mikakos met on Friday with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni at the Greek Consulate of Melbourne.

First successful liver transplant from a living donor completed in Greece

A milestone was achieved in the city of Athens, with the first-ever successful liver transplant from a living donor, a father to his daughter.

Darwin GleNTi returns with a bang as thousands enjoy Greek food and dancing

Thousands poured into the Darwin Esplanade over the weekend to get their filling of yiros and baklava as the Darwin GleNTi returned.