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Books set in Greece?

41 replies

Clawdy · 09/05/2013 18:04

Going on holiday to Crete in two weeks. Any recommendations for a good holiday read set in Greece? I've already read a couple of Mary Stewart novels with a Greek background.

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juneau · 09/05/2013 18:07

Captain Corelli's Mandolin
The Thread

Both very easy holiday reads.

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coffeeinbed · 09/05/2013 18:09

Whatever you do don't get the Island.
That was rubbish.

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Princesspond · 09/05/2013 18:11

Have you read The Island by Victoria Hislop, it's about Spinalonga which you might be able to visit off the coast of Crete

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Trazzletoes · 09/05/2013 18:13

Oh I love The Island!

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TheRealFellatio · 09/05/2013 18:13

I'm reading the Island now - it's not rubbish!

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eminemmerdale · 09/05/2013 18:13

The Magus by John Fowles. My favourite book evah Grin

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coffeeinbed · 09/05/2013 18:15
Shock
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bluebump · 09/05/2013 18:18

I loved The Island too!

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Laska42 · 09/05/2013 18:26

The 'fat man' detective novels by Anne Zouroudi .. not hard boiled thrillers though ...quite gentle more reflecting the pace of Greek islands ..

The House on Paradise Street by Sofka Zinovieff.. (I have this on,my kindle ready for my Greek holiday

Skios by Michael Frayn .. read this last years holiday , very funny!

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mrssmooth · 09/05/2013 18:26

I loved The Island too! Can only think of Captain Corelli and The Island. Enjoy your holiday!

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EachAndEveryHighway · 09/05/2013 18:27

Eleni - Nicolas Gage - gripping but harrowing
Greek Fire - Nicholas Gage- about Onassis/ Maria Callas romance, good read
Any of Patrick Leigh Fermor's books
Night of Rain and Stars - Maeve Binchy - easy to read, but not her best
Zorba the Greek - set in Crete... film is better than the book.
Dinner with Persephone - Patricia Storace - truly excellent.

They're all the ones I can think of for the moment Smile

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Trazzletoes · 09/05/2013 18:29

emin are you serious??!!!! DEFINITE worst book ever written.

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tripfiction · 09/05/2013 18:32

Hi
These are specifically set on Crete (and others have pointed you in the direction of The Island by VH):
Heavenly's Child by Brenda Reid
Out of the Blue by Belinda Jones
The House of Dust and Dreams by Brenda Reid

This link will take you to Greece set books www.tripfiction.com/Search?Location=greece

Hope you find something that fits the bill!
Tina

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EachAndEveryHighway · 09/05/2013 18:34

Oh and Into the Blue by Robbert Goddard is a good one if you like crime / thrillers.

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IThinkOfHappyWhenIThinkOfYou · 09/05/2013 18:37

I'm with coffeeinbed re The Island but it's not as bad as Captain Corelli's Mandolin, or at least it's a different kind of bad.

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BalloonSlayer · 09/05/2013 18:37

Lowering the tone - how about My Family and Other Animals and the sequels by Gerald Durrell

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eminemmerdale · 09/05/2013 18:39

Nooooo!!! It's brilliant. I still don't really get it though Blush first read it when i was abut 17 and must have read it about 20 times since!

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Karenblixen · 09/05/2013 18:42

Zorba the Greek (Alexis Sorbas).

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Lucelulu · 09/05/2013 18:52

Lawrence Durrell - the Minotaur

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stirrupleathers · 09/05/2013 18:57

The Potters house, I read it last year, its a fantastic read. You can feel the heat coming from the book in her descriptions of the beach and the tiny whitewashed houses!!!

www.amazon.co.uk/Potters-House-Rosie-Thomas/dp/0099464829?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

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Trazzletoes · 09/05/2013 19:13

emin yep. I had to read it at A level. It's the "I don't get it" that I don't like. I don't see how one can enjoy a book that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

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mixedmamameansbusiness · 09/05/2013 19:43

Captain Corelli is awesome. Louis de Bernieres is a marmite writer I think, everyone I know who dislike his writing really dislike it and those (like me) who enjoy his writing love his writing.

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Clawdy · 09/05/2013 20:05

Great suggestions here,will look 'em all up,thanks !

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Clawdy · 09/05/2013 20:12

Thanks for the useful link, tripfiction

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peachypips · 09/05/2013 20:15

The Island is indeed shite. The concept was good, but the biggest flop ever.

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