June / Greece Reading Poll

[Scheherazade]

In June 2008, we will be reading a book by a Greek author.

Please vote for the book you would like to read

by June 1st.

* Only those books which are available on amazon in English will be included in our poll. *

Note: Only the first 10 books will be included in the poll.

Some information on the books:

1. Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis .

2. Freedom and Death (Captain Michalis) by Nikos Kazantzakis".

3. Odyssey by Homer

4. Tales From a Greek Island by Alexandros Papadiamontis

5. The Third Wedding by Costas Taktsis

6. The Peloponnesian War by Thucydides

7. Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis

8. And Dreams Are Dreams by Vassilis Vassilikos

9.The Illiad by Homer

The poll will be closed on June 1st!

[Scheherazade]

I would like to nominate Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis.

[NickAdams]

You beat me! I wanted to nominate The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis, but I'd rather see ten different authors and not just ten different books.

PS: I'm really enjoying the voting by country rather than author. I find myself coming back every month instead of avoiding certain months, because of the author.

[Remarkable]

"Zorba" was supposed to be my nomination!...However,here is another one from Nikos Kazantzakis, "Captain Michalis".

[NickAdams]

I nominate Homer's Odyssey. This will also be a great primer for those of us who want to take on Joyce's Ulysses.

[Scheherazade]

Nominations so far:

1. Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis.

2. Captain Michalis by Nikos Kazantzakis".

3. Odyssey by Homer

[manolia]

Hmmm..not sure what to nominate.
I am thinking of "Frogs" because a) it is my fav Aristophanes play (read it countless times and seen it as many times in theater) and b) it is available here on litnet. But if anyone prefers another play from the same author i am willing to switch my nomination

Or perhaps poetry..greece is famous of her poetry actually..care to read some poems from the two nobel winning poets?? Help anyone?

[vheissu]

Or perhaps poetry..greece is famous of her poetry actually..care to read some poems from the two nobel winning poets?? Help anyone?

Manolia, I was thinking of nominating poetry as well! Maybe something by Elytis?
Can't think of many novels that are easily found through in english as well...

[Virgil]

Hey I was counting on you two (Manolia and Vheissu) and perhaps Amalia to suggest something. I was thinking of nominatintg The Last temptation of Christ but Kazantzakis has already been picked for two. There must be something else? Oh and poetry is usually not accpted in this book forum. At least i think that's Scher's policy.

[manolia]

Many really good books come to mind Virgil (not ancient ones) but, like Vheissu said, i am not sure how many of them are translated in english. I'll have to do a bit of research in that amazon site and see (if indeed poetry isn't permited).

[vheissu]

Poetry is not permitted? Oh dear...then I hope amazon is well stocked. Or I could do a search within the uni library, that might give some ideas.

[Scheherazade]

The Book Club aims to read and discuss works of fiction (mostly novels). There are separate sections and threads to discuss poetry for those who are interested

[manolia]

Fair enough Scher (i wouldn't bring it up if i knew ).

Did a bit of search. I would like to nominate "The Murderess" by Alexandros Papadiamantis. He is a magnificent author and very esteemed here. Many consider him as the best modern greek author (or so my teachers in school used to think).
It is a short novel (about 200 pages).

Here's a bit about his life (at the bottom of the page there is special reference to the book but it contains spoilers).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandros_Papadiamantis

He wrote in Katharevousa which is ancient greek in its essence or if you prefer is the link between ancient and modern greek. Katharevousa was greece's official language till 1976.

[manolia]

Only available from third party sellers. I love Papadiamantis' writing and was looking forward to reading this one, whether it won the vote or not.

But please don't discard this great author! If third party sellers aren't acceptable, then take Tales From a Greek Island in it's place, so Papadiamantis is represented.

Ooops i didn't notice this..yeah if "third party sellers" isn't acceptable scher can replace my nomination with yours and i'll nominate something else (i have loads of books in my mind that i'd like to recommend ).

[manolia]

Which one did you have in mind?
The problem is that all the books i have in mind are translated in english but i can't find them in amazon.