Books set in Greece?

[Clawdy]

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.

[CoteDAzur]

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.

[eminemmerdale]

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

[AnonYonimousBird]

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).

[OnFoot]

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.

[NotGoodNotBad]

Mary Renault, The King Must Die.

[PeasandCucumbers]

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

[BeeBawBabbity]

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

[ADefiniteMaybe]

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

[auntierozzi]

www.amazon.co.uk/Petros-Markaris/e/B001JX3JQY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1368470820&sr=1-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
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.

[BlueChampagne]

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

[Kerfuffled]

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

[Hassled]

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

[ChewingOnLifesGristle]

I loved The Magus.

[Gordy2000]

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!