Vania Syrmou studied classical literature at the Philosophical School of the University of Athens and teaches at a secondary school. Her translations from English-language literature are published by Bilietto Publications, as is her collection of short stories “Terminus and Other Stories” in the Oktaselido+ series by Bilietto Publications (2019). Her short stories and haiku have been published in anthologies, literary blogs, and magazines. Her second collection of short stories is called Camera Obscura (Iolkos Publishing House, 2023).

“Family Ties” by Clarissa Lispector, “Recitative” by Toni Morrison, “Proofs and Theories” by Louise Gluck and “The Banality of Good” by Antonis Molho.

Having recently read The Lessons of Literature by Julio Cortazar, I learned about the psychological mechanisms that can operate in short stories “where the human spirit and sensibility come together and determine its behavior.” It is these mechanisms that move the threads of my own stories.

Trial of Franz Kafka. Nightmarish and exciting at the same time.

I definitely find time for reading in everyday life, in the company of a cup of coffee in the afternoon in silence.

I never felt guilty about a book I read.

First of all, I am touched by the theme, bright characters and, of course, the language.

“Emmanuelle and Catherine” by Rhea Galanakis. “Parents as a mirror of our self-consciousness” is a very interesting topic.

The reader viewing the “Camera Obscura” can see key moments from the daily life of the people around him and himself, identifying himself with the heroes and heroines of the novels.

This is a kaleidoscopic universe in which, as matter and energy, there are personal dead ends, trials, love, love, guilt, loss, loneliness, death, betrayal. My heroes in this universe come face to face with themselves, their dilemmas, life itself, sometimes leading to collapse, and sometimes to inner affirmation.