We couldn’t do this without listing Nikos Kazantzakis! While these are works of fiction, apart from Report To Greco. which is supposedly ‘semi-autobiographical’ Kazantzakis writing can give some insight into the Cretan character and history. Some find his work a bit ‘turgid’, we feel this may have more to do with the translation than the original works!
‘At Palaces of Knossos’ is more in the style of a children’s book, but is still worth a read!
A visit to the Kazantzakis museum as Myrtia is essential, although much of the display is in Greek, there is also a Room dedicated to him in the Museum of Crete.
Apart from his literary work he was also a great statesman, and of course a playwright.
The Gerald Durrell book is well known and deals with his life on the island of Corfu where his family settled, and is a delightful book.
The Island by Victoria Hislop deals with the leper colony at Spinalonga on Crete, its publication has single handedly increased tourism to the island, and while it is a work of fiction, it contains enough deaths and bad luck to be classed as a Greek tragedy!
I first read a Mary Renault book at the age of 14! Having just re-read the ‘King Must Die’ I can say that her books age well, bringing to life the story of Theseus and the fall of Knossos very nicely.
There have been objections to her hints at homosexuality in ancient Greece, but where such hints occur they are within the context of the story, and based on her researches!
