Set during the brink of civil war in Greece, best friends Katerina and Marco face the unthinkable: lost childhood and fractured families. As communists reach their village, the duo makes a promise to each other, vowing to find their way back home to their tiny town and one another.

WANDERING is a poignant novel that explores how we lose, build, and ultimately come home. With evocative prose, Corporon patins vivid pictures of the Greek landscape whilst discussing the impact of communism during the civil war. She sheds light on a lesser-known period of Greek history, offering insights into the devastating aftermath as families are ripped apart, and focuses on the challenges children face during this tumultuous time.

The theme of friendship is woven throughout the narrative, and Corporon beautifully explores different friendship duos through generations, showcasing the deep bonds that can withstand time and distance. In many ways, WANDERING reminds me of BEASTS OF A LITTLE LAND (Juhea Kim) and THE GREAT RECLAMATION (Rachel Heng), in its exploration of the lasting impacts of wars and the unbreakable bonds individuals form in the backdrop of unthinkable violence.

While the storytelling is generally engaging, there are instances where the book relies more on telling than chapters showing. Additionally, I wasn't super invested in the chapters about the Greek royal family. Corporon mentioned her reasons for including the royal family's narrative in the author's note; it's actually quite heartwarming