This is the story of three brothers, born in eighteenth-century Greece. They each become highly successful, two in Italy and one, after a violent mistake, in Russia. The story isn't told in a linear style...we move back and forth in time. And, because the brothers share a strong emotional bond but are separated by great distances, we learn about their lives through letters and through conversations they have about each other with their families. The author makes this work beautifully, evoking a strong sense of kinship and all the love, loyalty, jealousies and frustrations that exist within families. The writing is superb. The characters are so vividly developed. The story is interesting, too. As we follow the brothers through their lives, we get a glimpse of life in 18th century Italy, Greece and Russia. ( )