Father, The More Loving One

“A tribute to a poetry-loving father so tender you will want to read it more than once. From the sounds of the lines he read her as a child to the understanding that these poems would guide her to the woman she became, ‘Father, the more loving one’ pays a touching, delightful homage to the conspiracy between a daughter and her parent and the connection between lyric verse, the generosity of selfless love, and a girl’s awakening.”

By Julian Evans

 

“At last, a loving tribute to a father. Kiki depicts an inspiring, intimate but never narcissistic, deeply evocative portrait of her father and a homage to Greek poetry in the same breath.”

By Ersi Sotiropoulos

 

“With FATHER, THE LOVING ONE, Kiki has gifted us a book that is, at once, beautiful and intimate. A lament and a love song for the one who taught her “to maintain the enthusiasm for life until the end” and who gave her the gift of poetry.”

By Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

"Father, The More Loving One" invites you to imagine your secret life,
will you?
Kiki Denis | Author | Father, The More Loving One

"This book is so tender! All memories of our loved ones should feel like that. With simple writing, Kiki writes about deep, universal truths and symbolisms, like the light, the mother who doesn’t appreciate poetry, the solitary flight, the danger of strangers, the fear of love… Additionally, it serves as an introduction to Greek poetry. I believe parents will find this book especially meaningful. As I read, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the nights spent reading bedtime stories to my children when they were small.”

Maria Antelman

“This little book about my grandpa shows things about him I never knew. It shows who my mom is and makes you see things in a different way. It opens you up. Even though, I didn’t know our grandpa well, he died when I was about 6, I already knew he was kind, loving and smart. I love this book because of the secrets it unravels and the questions it brings.”

Artemis Deni Tsiounis

“This book captures, with a simple yet warm language, one of the most essential human relationships: the relationship between daughter and father, a deep, unique bond capable of shaping the way we perceive life!”

Maria Gkoridou

“In her wisp of a book, Kiki illuminates her deep connection to her father. She leads us from childhood to adulthood, where through a portal of poetry, time takes on an unreal cadence; both fast and slow, from page to page, one word to the next. Spare, rich lines tell us that after all is said and done, what remains is light, love—and our secret lives.”

“In this heartwarming little book, Kiki welcomes you into her cherished memories with her father. She invites you to meet her father—a man whose love for poetry, music, and life shines through each story. With his gentle love and guidance, a once shy little girl has blossomed into the amazing woman Kiki is today. After finishing this book, you may want to turn to your loved ones and hug them as tightly as you can, while you still can…”

Quinn Nguyen

“A loving father, a sweet daughter and a shared passion for books. A heartwarming short tale.”

“Father, THE MORE LOVING ONE” by Kiki left me a little speechless. Kiki has a way of using words that convey so much emotion and meaning, without redundancy or shock. Her careful choices as a writer are as thoughtful and direct as she is in real life. Her ability to arrange words like a masterful piece of music is a joy to read. Somehow, a simple concept told in her voice sounds injected with meaning, and demanding your attention.
In this little book Kiki gives us all a reason to call our parents, if still lucky enough to be able to reach them by phone. I first read the piece after Kiki’s own father passed away. I was moved and saddened for Kiki that she had lost such a wonderful presence in her life. Also, I felt a bit envious that I didn’t have a father like hers. After losing my own father, and rereading it, it was a bit emotional, but somehow put me at ease. To be honest, it still left me feeling a bit envious I didn’t have a father like Kiki’s.
I’m so proud to have known Kiki for years before she was a successful writer. I know her to be just as thoughtful, direct, and poignant in her real life, as she is as a writer - weaving her stories with a magical spell she casts on the English language.”

“Man's main characteristic since childhood is competitiveness; whether in kids' games, school, or sports. He takes it with him as he grows up and is asked to play many roles, such as friend, lover, husband, trainer, trooper, professional, and colleague. The toughest role being that of a Dad; let father be a biological fertilizer.
A Dad inspires, leads by example, sows the seeds of curiosity, shows paths or options while seemingly chatting indifferently, hands out interesting books as occasional presents only to stir his kids' spirits a bit more, teaches practical classes of "how to protect yourselves", plays along all possible games, discreetly presenting management, always aiming to breed creative, useful, and worthy survivors for themselves, their families, and society. And he does that, knowing that he will always finish second.”

Paschalis Terzis

“Born of her father's mind, like a curious owl, Kiki builds a "Fatherworld." As modern Athena, with a spear of creative prose and multiple arrows of poetry, she fights against memories in pursuit of resurrecting a girl's first hero.”

“Kiki, thank you for sharing those magical moments with us! What a tribute to your father and what a great introduction to Greek literature!”

Sofia Skalistiri & Costas Meghir

“By reading this little book I was transported back to my youth in Greece, amidst the antiquities and the tender heart of a young girl, amidst snowflakes and the timeless messengers of love and light, witnessing the birth of love's flame and its transformation into eternal light.”

“This book is a tribute and a celebration to the precious gift of true love and inspiration that Kiki's father bestowed upon her: to look deep within herself and discover the essential light, yet invisible to the eye, and to allow it to guide her with zeal, regardless the challenges, towards her true calling until the very end.”

“Reading quietly every night on his old couch or next to Kiki’s bed is the image of my pappou I’ll always have. Peaceful man with calm thoughts and an endless appetite for life and books. This little book lets you travel in time where worries fade away and everything is eclipsed by a father’s love.”

"A beautiful story, so poetic and visual. I can see it being illustrated... "

Karen Park-Goude

“I've known Kiki all my life. We grew up in houses opposite each other in a small village on the north part of Greece. Our families would visit each other without calling, just by knocking on the doors and entering. I called Kiki’s mother "aunt" and Kiki’s father "uncle." He was always there, kind, quiet, radiant with bright eyes and a peaceful, kind of mystifying smile, like he knew a secret nobody else did...
After reading Kiki's short book about her father, I realized what that secret was. It truly was a secret! A beautiful, magical secret that made me understand Kiki’s amazing life path, her talents, and her serene personality and inner strength. It also made me regret not having had the chance to know Kiki’s father better. Thank you, Kiki, for this strong and heartwarming sentimental throwback... You have been very lucky to have had him.”

“A beautiful ode - concise, very moving - to a loving and beloved father. Lucky gentleman, lucky girl! Also, a blithe introduction to modern Greek literature/poetry."

Josette Ngan Caussiol

"This little book brought to mind a scene from a play, a room with a skylight and the moonlight appearing periodically, a door, and a bed with books, two protagonists or maybe just one, the author herself monologuing her dreams, where she continues to see her father who never left. He simply lives Elsewhere, in a secret life."

“A very touching and intimate story, funny, and sad and wise all at the same time, about the relationship between a daughter and her father. A very envious relationship that makes one reflect on his own experience.”

Maria Sachinis

“FATHER, THE MORE LOVING ONE, is a captivating journey into the depths of innocence. At first glance it may seem to draw inspiration from Auden's poignant poem of the same name, sharing themes of love, longing, and the complexities of human relationships. While  Auden's verse delves deeply into the idea of unrequited love, Kiki's narrative instead, is an exploration of the profound bond between father and child, celebrating the enduring legacy of paternal love. In this engaging prose, Kiki seamlessly blurs the lines between storyteller and protagonist, drawing readers into a world where innocence takes center stage. Whether weaving fragmented stories of childhood or young adult Kiki's writing exudes a purity that is irresistible. Each page is a testament to the power of innocence, as the author subtly navigates the complexities of love, grief, and longing while also integrating verse and elements from folklore that are passed down through generations.  This short yet remarkable piece echoes the timeless wisdom of la Fontaine’s Fables, reminding us of the fleeting nature of innocence. Yet in the midst life’s hardships, Kiki reminds us that the light of innocence can still radiate within those lucky enough to embrace it. Through tender memories and poignant reflections, Kiki emphasizes the profound impact it has on shaping our lives.”

In “Father, the More Loving One,” Kiki gifts to us a little bit of bliss. She melodically sprinkles upon us innocent childhood memories, authentically and intricately delineating her connection with her father, a connection filled with patience, persistence, tenderness, acceptance. Kiki effortlessly evokes the essence of a pure love and reveals the profound imprint that this pure love--and consequently a flowing forth of inner trust--can have on a little Being. In her lightlhearted manner, Kiki—maybe even unknowingly?--entices us to go within, delve in more deeply to uncover and explore our own secret world. It is inspiring to see how this connection with her father helped shape Kiki into the most wonderfully kind and caring, creative and dynamic Human and the Writer that she is today.

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