Novels Set in Greece to Add to Your Reading List
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Loading... - Helena Boyle
- 09 Aug 2024
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Greece, with its iconic landscapes and rich cultural history, provides a captivating backdrop for many novels. The country's natural beauty and complex history often play a significant role in shaping the narratives, almost becoming characters in their own right. Whether it's the sun-drenched islands, the ancient ruins, or the bustling cities, the setting is deeply intertwined with the stories being told. Below is a selection of novels set in Greece that beautifully capture the essence of the country. These books are perfect additions to your reading list, especially if you're looking to explore Greece's charm through literature.
1. Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis
Setting: Crete, Greece
Nikos Kazantzakis' Zorba the Greek is perhaps one of the most iconic novels set in Greece. The story revolves around the friendship between the bookish narrator and the larger-than-life Zorba, a man who lives for the moment and embodies the spirit of Crete. The rugged landscape of Crete is not just a backdrop but an essential part of the narrative, mirroring the characters' struggles, passions, and philosophies of life. The novel explores themes of freedom, the search for meaning, and the clash between intellect and instinct, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Greek island.
2. Good Will Come from the Sea by Christos Ikonomou
Setting: Aegean Island, Greece
Originally published in Greek in 2014 and translated into English in 2019, Good Will Come from the Sea by Christos Ikonomou offers a stark, unflinching portrayal of life on a Greek island during the economic crisis. The book is a collection of interconnected stories about a group of friends from Athens who move to an Aegean island seeking refuge from their troubled lives. However, they soon find themselves caught in the same struggles they tried to escape, facing hostility from the locals and grappling with issues of power, violence, and despair. Ikonomou’s writing is both darkly humorous and deeply poignant, capturing the harsh realities of contemporary Greece.
3. A Separation by Katie Kitamura
Setting: Mani, Southern Greece
In A Separation, Katie Kitamura tells the story of a young woman who travels to the remote Mani region in southern Greece to search for her estranged husband, who has gone missing. As she navigates the rugged terrain and interacts with the locals, she confronts not only the mystery of her husband's disappearance but also her own complex feelings about their marriage. The novel is a haunting exploration of intimacy, isolation, and the unknown, set against the stark beauty of the Mani landscape.
4. The Island by Victoria Hislop
Setting: Spinalonga, Crete, Greece
Victoria Hislop's The Island is a historical novel set on the island of Spinalonga, off the coast of Crete, which was once a leper colony. The story spans several generations and follows a young woman named Alexis who uncovers the secrets of her family's past, deeply connected to the island. The novel paints a vivid picture of life on Spinalonga and the impact of the leprosy epidemic on the local community. It’s a powerful tale of love, loss, and resilience, deeply rooted in the history and culture of Crete.
5. Eleni by Nicholas Gage
Setting: Northern Greece
Eleni is a memoir by Nicholas Gage that tells the true story of his mother, Eleni Gatzoyiannis, who was executed during the Greek Civil War for helping her children escape from their war-torn village. Gage, who later emigrated to the United States, returns to Greece as an adult to uncover the truth about his mother's death and to confront the men responsible. The memoir is both a personal journey and a gripping account of the brutal realities of the Greek Civil War, with the northern Greek countryside serving as a poignant and tragic setting.
These novels, each set against the backdrop of Greece, offer a diverse array of stories that capture the essence of the country’s landscape, culture, and history. Whether you're drawn to contemporary tales or historical sagas, these books provide a literary journey through the rich and varied world of Greece. Add them to your reading list and let the magic of Greece unfold on the pages before you.
