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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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olympuskiller · 05/11/2015 15:27

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Gordy2000 · 19/11/2014 13:05

Try any of the Greek Saga books by Beryl Darby (available on kindle as well as hard copy). Starts with 'Yiannis' and develops into more present day, all based upon a family from Crete. However each book can be read on its own. I have yet to find an iffy/ bad review. I read a book a day and this author is arguably my favourite. Next one due out 14 Dec 2014 which will put me in mind for a holiday through the winter!

Ioanna27 · 22/08/2013 16:03

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ChewingOnLifesGristle · 19/06/2013 21:41

I loved The Magus.

Hassled · 19/06/2013 21:40

The Magus is a brilliant book - one of those books everyone should read.

Kerfuffled · 19/06/2013 21:39

I'm glad I've found this thread. I'm off to order some of the Lawrence Durrell books and The Magus sounds fascinating too. I'd like to give a mention to Anne Zouroudi who has been mentioned further up the thread. She writs about a Greek detective of sorts, Hermes Diaktorous, and paints a vivid picture of village life in Greece. I'm currently 3/4 of the way through her latest offering, The Feast of Artemis.

The Feast of Artemis

BlueChampagne · 20/05/2013 16:59

Second Mary Renault and Patrick Leigh-Fermor
Nikos Kazantzakis (who was Cretan) - Faber & Faber do translations

auntierozzi · 13/05/2013 19:51

www.amazon.co.uk/Petros-Markaris/e/B001JX3JQY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1368470820&sr=1-1
Inspector Costas Haritos is a bit like a Greek Rebus if you are in the mood! You definitely get an idea of what it's like to live in Greece now.

ADefiniteMaybe · 13/05/2013 19:46

I really enjoyed The Island - easily her best and I also loved My Family And Other Animals. Have fun!

BeeBawBabbity · 13/05/2013 19:39

I second the Gerald Durrell books. Wasn't a fan of The Island.

PeasandCucumbers · 13/05/2013 17:17

I'll second The Thread. Good read with interesting history thrown in

NotGoodNotBad · 10/05/2013 10:26

Mary Renault, The King Must Die.

OnFoot · 10/05/2013 10:23

I liked the Island, but not Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Sara Alexi's Greek Village series is pleasant light reading and less than £2 each on kindle.

AnonYonimousBird · 10/05/2013 10:17

The House on Paradise Street by Sofka Zinovieff (check spelling!)

BRILLIANT!!!

Lots of recent Greek history and character through it. I see Greece in a completely different light now after reading both that and The Thread (which isn't bad - worth reading simply to learn about Greece).

eminemmerdale · 10/05/2013 10:13

I was told you weren't supposed to 'get' The magus. Conchis is a magician with a lot of money who simply liked to mess up peoples heads and Nicholas deserved it. Still love it though Grin

CoteDAzur · 10/05/2013 10:05

The Island is utter rubbish. Don't even think about reading it.

Middlesex is about three generations of a Greek family but doesn't take place in Greece. It is a very good book, though.

peachypips · 09/05/2013 20:15

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

Original poster
Clawdy · 09/05/2013 20:12

Thanks for the useful link, tripfiction

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Original poster
Clawdy · 09/05/2013 20:05

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

OP posts:
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.

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.

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

Lucelulu · 09/05/2013 18:52

Lawrence Durrell - the Minotaur

Karenblixen · 09/05/2013 18:42

Zorba the Greek (Alexis Sorbas).

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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