Sia Yiannopoulou, a 68 year-old interior designer in Athens Greece, is mean, unpleasant and a bit of a bad ass. She has been estranged from her gay son, Alexis, for 6 years, and become overly attached to her pristine new Mercedes S-Class, a final gift from Sia’s late husband, Dimitris. So when her prized possession is stolen, and the car thief demands that Sia perform twelve tasks to get it back, she can’t possibly say no.
The twelve tasks range from shampooing a dirty stray dog, to handing out donuts to refugees in a filthy neighborhood, to redecorating an HIV/AIDS resource center. As the result of doing the tasks—and almost losing Alexi for a second time—Sia’s despicable exterior cracks and she grows into a more understanding human being. Think of this comedic novel, The Twelve Labors of Sia, as The Devil Wears Prada meets Scrooge.
Main Characters
Sixty-eight years old, widowed, and the epitome of unapproachability, Sia is unpleasant, uncooperative, and elitist. As the head of a thriving interior design firm in the upscale suburbs of Athens, Greece, Sia is talented and business-like… most of the time. On the other hand, Sia can be an ice queen who has few boundaries regarding her anger, her resentments and her opinions. Sia has a pristine, silver Mercedes S-Class, a final gift from her late husband, Dimitris. With dyed blond hair, a perpetual frown beneath her bold red lipstick, and a cigarette often poised between her fingers, Sia rarely offers the world a wink or a smile.
Sia Yiannopoulou
Sia’s office manager and indispensable right-hand woman. Stella is super-smart, strikingly attractive, and exceptionally capable, and she has an encyclopedic memory of every client and project in the firm’s history. She’s one of the few people on staff who isn’t afraid to call Sia out on her nonsense, and often keeps the firm running like clockwork.
STELLA
A gifted interior designer whose self-doubt is her greatest hurdle. Despite her consistent brilliance, Anna often needs reassurance from Sia or Stella to keep her from metaphorically leaping off a ten-story ledge. Her signature look is black, with leather jackets featuring edgy details, like embroidered snakes.
ANNA
Decades ago, Dinos was the best man, the koumbaro, at Sia’s wedding. Dinos is now a tall, lean 68-year-old executive at Athens’ largest private hospital. With a kind and handsome face, a strong nose, and a healthy head of gray hair, he exudes warmth and charisma.
DINOS
Tall, fit, and in his early 70s, Dimitris was Sia’s late husband, who passed away in a car accident two months before the story begins. With a full head of soft, curly gray hair—and a big heart, he was likely the only person who truly loved and accepted Sia unconditionally. Dimitris also took care of most chores during his marriage with Sia: cooking, watering plants, paying bills, etc.
Dimitris
A senior designer at Sia’s who isn’t afraid to tell Sia she’s on the wrong track. Sarcastic yet supremely talented, Thanos is tall, stylish, and wiry, always seen wearing glasses that add to his polished appearance. Despite his biting humor, he is the firm’s best designer.
THANOS
An 11-year-old boy who walks Sia’s dog on weekdays. Shy but friendly, Yiannis always wears a thick hoodie emblazoned with the number “58.” His interests include watching TV, video games, dogs, and hamburgers.
YIANNIS
The 63-year-old apartment manager and unwavering peacemaker. Dora enforces the building’s rules with quiet authority, and she’s unimpressed by Sia’s theatrics. Plump and practical, Dora’s wardrobe consists of ill-fitting block-print tops and sturdy skirts, complemented by sensible flat shoes. She has lovely and full long hair in both white and black colors.
DOra
The firm’s receptionist is heavyset, anxious, and perpetually cowed by Sia’s domineering presence. Her mismatched wardrobe suggests she gets dressed in the dark, and her nervous habit of chewing on her unruly black hair underscores her lack of confidence.
ATHINA
A 35-year-old car thief with a baritone voice, Kostas is intelligent, sarcastic, and occasionally threatening. His sharp wit and expansive vocabulary hint at a deeper—perhaps academic—background. He relishes his game of tormenting Sia, though his motives remain shrouded in mystery.
KOSTAS
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