One of the most satisfying accounts of a great passion that I have ever read. --Vivian Gornick, New York Times Book Review Greek to Me [is] an ode to the joy of exercising free reign in one's life.Norris is an uncommonly engaging, witty enthusiast with a nose for delicious details and funny asides that makes you willing to follow her anywhere.--Heller McAlpin, NPR A rapturous memoir of falling in love with language.At their best, these pages leave you feeling salt-kissed and freshly tanned, languorous with ouzo.--Rory Tolan, Washington Post Charming.Aiming at times for slapstick, Ms. Norris keeps uncovering veins of tragedy.

--A. E. Stallings, Wall Street Journal Norris' vibrant prose flies off the page, and the breadth of her material set my head spinning at times. Still, she brings it all together with insight and wisdom.--Elfrieda Abbe, Minneapolis Star Tribune An entertaining, erudite, and altogether delightful journey fueled by the love of language.--Publishers Weekly (starred review) What a fantastic book! Not only is Greek to Me educational, entertaining, and gorgeously written, it shows us how intellectual curiosity coupled with a dash of bravery can pave the way for a more meaningful life. Mary Norris does for Greek and Greece what Cheryl Strayed did for hiking. Readers will long to follow in her footsteps.

--Ann Patchett I fell in love with Mary Norris's first book, and am now even more in love with this charming, ribald, highly informed, and always funny excursion through the language, culture, and oddities of Greece and the Greek language. An adventure tale for intellectuals--and also for the rest of us.--Steve Martin Mary Norris's love for all things Greek is palpable and infectious. She is a charming, insightful guide through both ancient and modern glories, and I expect her lush descriptions of the Greek countryside to provoke a tourism stampede.--Madeline Miller As a reader, I would follow the writer Mary Norris wherever she goes, and I found myself enthralled by this wondrous journey through Greek myths and language and art. Norris brings everything into the glimmering light--most of all the beauty of words.--David Grann Poignant, antic, hilarious, Mary Norris is the definition of wearing your learning lightly, and after a lifetime of Greek immersion, pouring beer libations, and skinny-dipping in the waters of Aphrodite, her lessons slip down sweetly. This book is true ambrosia.

--Caroline Fraser Mary Norris, our master grammarian, proves that knowing the rules sets you free. Here she writes about Greek language, culture, and mythology with an untrammeled grace that's a delight to read and, almost incidentally, a demonstration of high-level literary skill. Greek to Me is a book to dive into--a page-turning and wonderful achievement.--Ian Frazier.