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There's wealth of books availble about Crete and Greece - guide books, history ancient and modern, travel literature, books about people moving to Greece . . . . . . .
Here are some that I've read - and what I thought of them!
All these books are available from Amazon.co.uk
Still Life in Crete - Anthony Cox
This
is the story of Anthony and Susan Cox's adventures buying a property in
a small village in western Crete. Oh, I mustn't forget to
mention
their travelling companions - two flatulent dogs Pug and Mavros.The couple search all over the island to find their perfect village, and when the do eventually find it, their plans are initially thwarted by their inability to sell their English home.
The book is an easy read, and I enjoyed the stories of Anthony & Susan's travels, mishaps and ultimate relocation. As a bonus, it includes a handful of greek recipies.
Riding the
Minotaur - Scott Davies
Whilst on
holiday in Crete, Mike Davies spots a sign in a curry-house toilet
offering properties for sale. Following this up, he and
partner
Paula Scott soon but a property in a village in Crete.
The minotaur of the title is the make of of `mechani` or small tractor that the locals use both in agriculture and as an everyday means of transportation.
This is is an affectionate tale of the Cretan seasons, battles with beurocracy, and the friendliness of the villagers. The books is written in a slightly peculiar way - Scott Davies the `author` is actually a combination of Mike & Paula's surnames. Nonetheless, this is a gentle, funny and enjoyable read.
The minotaur of the title is the make of of `mechani` or small tractor that the locals use both in agriculture and as an everyday means of transportation.
This is is an affectionate tale of the Cretan seasons, battles with beurocracy, and the friendliness of the villagers. The books is written in a slightly peculiar way - Scott Davies the `author` is actually a combination of Mike & Paula's surnames. Nonetheless, this is a gentle, funny and enjoyable read.
The Island - Victoria Hislop
The Island is a `family saga` style novel set in Plaka and on the island of Spinalonga covering 1939 to the present day.
At the start of the book Alexis Fielding tries to find out about her mother's past, but Sofia is reluctant to tell her. Alexis travels to Plaka where she meet's her mothers old friend Fortini. The main section of the book then covers Sofia's grandparents and parents lives, and their involvement with the leper colony on Spinalonga.
Although the subject matter is interesting, I found the book rather dull, and whilst wanting to find out what happens, the writing style doesn't exactly make it a page turner - it could just be that I don't like this style of novel.
The book has received a lot of publicity being featured on Richard and Judy's reading list. It's probably worth a read for some local colour as long as you don't expect too much.
At the start of the book Alexis Fielding tries to find out about her mother's past, but Sofia is reluctant to tell her. Alexis travels to Plaka where she meet's her mothers old friend Fortini. The main section of the book then covers Sofia's grandparents and parents lives, and their involvement with the leper colony on Spinalonga.
Although the subject matter is interesting, I found the book rather dull, and whilst wanting to find out what happens, the writing style doesn't exactly make it a page turner - it could just be that I don't like this style of novel.
The book has received a lot of publicity being featured on Richard and Judy's reading list. It's probably worth a read for some local colour as long as you don't expect too much.
Attic in Greece - Austin Kark
This tells of
Austin & Nina Kark's adventures in the mid-1980's
when they decide to buy and renovate a house in Nauplion in Southern
Greece.
Against everyone's advice they decided to buy a ruin, but before the purchase had even been completed, live handgrenades were discovered in the attic, and the roof fell down! There followed the usual battle with beurocracy, peppered with incidents with the locals, his friends and even a spell in the Nauplion General Hospital.
Austin Kark was a BBC European Service journalist who specialised in the Eastern Mediteranian, hence his writing gives an insight into the people and politics of Greece in the 1980's - a Greece coming to tems with becoming a member of the European Community, and with the government of Andreas Papandreou.
Against everyone's advice they decided to buy a ruin, but before the purchase had even been completed, live handgrenades were discovered in the attic, and the roof fell down! There followed the usual battle with beurocracy, peppered with incidents with the locals, his friends and even a spell in the Nauplion General Hospital.
Austin Kark was a BBC European Service journalist who specialised in the Eastern Mediteranian, hence his writing gives an insight into the people and politics of Greece in the 1980's - a Greece coming to tems with becoming a member of the European Community, and with the government of Andreas Papandreou.
It's All Greek to Me! - John Mole
The subtitle `A tale of a mad dog and an Englishman, ruins, retsina - and real greeks` sums it up nicely.
This is a highly readable tale of John Mole's conversion of a stone ruin on the island of Evia into a family home. Purchased in a haze of local whisky and, initially at least, with casual disregard for legal formalities (the `contract` was created in the local cafenion on a page torn from an exercise book), the ruin is gradually tamed until it's fit to move his family in to.
Told with humour and affection, it's a great read for anyone thinking of moving to Greece, or just as a holiday book.
The
Cretan Runner - George Psychoundakis
This is something of a classic. George Psychoundakis tells the story of his involvement in the Second World War as a member of the Resistance in Crete.
As a runner, his duties were exhausting and dangerous. He made huge journeys on foot over the mountainous terrain of Crete carrying messages between towns and secret radio stations.
Born in 1920, George Psychoundakis was a shepherd until the battle of Crete. He writes in a simple, uncomplicated fashion which highlights the human elements of the terrible situations he found himself caught up in and the dignity of the Greek people during the occupation.
Highly recommended.
Eurydice Street - A Place in Athens - Sofka Zinovieff
Sofka met her Greek husband whilst working as a journalist in Moscow. Subsequently they lived in Moscow, London and Rome before deciding in 2001 to move to Athens - back to Vasilis' home and to Sofkas spiritual home.
This is a fascinating portrait of the city, but more than that, it tells of Sofka's attempts to become Greek both through the bureaucracy of applying for Greek citizenship, and through the infinitely more complex problems of trying to become accepted, not just being a permanent outsider.
A blend of travel book and autobiography , this is an engaging read.