Bedtime Reading

[Pritch]

Greetings all, and trust everyone well and looking forward to the Summer ahead. Myself, am off on the 17th August 'en famile' and can't wait to get back and kick back !!

To the point of this topic - Book on Crete.

I love a good book and have finished for the 3rd time 'Winds Of Crete' (originally read in 1986)- has anyone read it ? If not then thoroughly recommend it. Avaialble from any bookseller in Crete, and am sure have seen it in the main - gift shop - on the front in Plakias

Got me thinking as well, has anyone else read any good books on Crete and if so what are they so I may add to my collection for those long winter evenings ?

Cheers guys,

Pritch

 

[martyn]

Thanks for the tip Pritch, I'll try and pick up a copy and let you know what we think

Martyn & Svetlana

[Ken & Kathy]

The Creten Runner ,is also worth a read,also available in Plakias.Eleni although set in Northern Greece is also compelling reading,both also available through Amazon, Happy reading,and have a great time.

[martyn]

Many thanks Ken and Kathy, I'll try and get hold of a copy. All good stuff, must try and leave some time for the beach and bars though in between the reading.

Martyn & Svetlana

[LoukaFran]

For those looking for a good book:

Captain Corelli's Mandoline from Louis de Bernières is one of the best books I have read in years.

It is funny,beautiful, romantic and yet very cruel.

I have great sympathy for the Greek people and all they have endured in the war.
 
The film, sorry to say this, is terrible in comparison.

Penelope Cruz is the only actress in the film I can recognize from the book as acting and being Pelagia. (Nicolas Cage was definitely not Antonio Corelli and (this coming from a woman) and where were the dolphin, psipsina, little Lemoni?)

Of the bravery of Pelagia and her father Iannis, Mandras, Carlo and all the others nothing is mentioned in the film.

The film certainly does no justice to the book.

[Yvonne]

Hi
I tend to look at  the book of 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' and the film as almost two separate stories.  I read the book first and saw the film sometime later.  I enjoyed them both, but I am pleased I read the book first.
A book Peter is fond of reading is 'Flowers of Rethymnon' - not about flowers in the accepted sense, but the story of the Escape from Crete written by an Australian.  We bought our copy in Plakias, but found it among the 'wild flower' sections!
Cheers to everyone, counting down now!!
Yvonne

[plakias34]

Have to agree with Loukafran on this 'Captain Corellis Mandolin' Fantastic book although the first few chapters are hard going.
If you have seen the film, forget all you have seen before reading the book.
One I picked up, again in most supermarkets out there was 'Crete 1941' which as you may guess ia about the war but is accounts from Cretans and servicemen that were on the island at the time, very interesting read!

[Noopsy]

Have to step in here with a defence of the film "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", although I would stress that I haven't read the book.  At the time of its release the film was given the most awful slating by the critics.  But I found it (or rather, the bit that I saw) very enjoyable:  a nice romantic storyline, and good music.

On the other hand "Traffik" - released round about the same time - received such rave reviews that I made a special point of going to see it...and regretted it.  It was so boring I could hardly keep my eyes open, and was glad when it finally came to an end.

Just shows you can't trust the critics.

[Graham_and_Karen]

I'm glad you say the first few chapters are hard going, plakias34 as that's about as far as I got with the book. I'll have another go as just about everyone says how good it is. As for the film - I didn't think much of it.

[Pritch]

DITTO !!!
Started this book twice and just never got going with it, which in truth has put me off even having another glance at it, so also glad its not just me.


Pritch

[Tony and Sandra Smith]

Last year read "The Island" by Ian Hislop's wife about the leper colony on Spinalonga near Ag Nic on the North coast of Crete. Very moving.

[Ploppy]

Last year read "The Island" by Ian Hislop's wife about the leper colony on Spinalonga near Ag Nic on the North coast of Crete. Very moving.

Yep me too, last year on the beach saw this book polished off. Got mixed reviews but I enjoyed it.

[roger]

Last year read "The Island" by Ian Hislop's wife about the leper colony on Spinalonga near Ag Nic on the North coast of Crete. Very moving.

Yep me too, last year on the beach saw this book polished off. Got mixed reviews but I enjoyed it.

 I read that too last year in Plakias  - but I did not realise it was by Ian Hislop's wife
 roger

[Graham_and_Karen]

Last year read "The Island" by Ian Hislop's wife about the leper colony on Spinalonga near Ag Nic on the North coast of Crete. Very moving.

Just started reading 'The Island' - fascinating and quite gripping. Enjoying it so far. Karen read it last week while we were in Zante and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Rowena & Carl]

Last year read "The Island" by Ian Hislop's wife about the leper colony on Spinalonga near Ag Nic on the North coast of Crete. Very moving.

Yep me too, last year on the beach saw this book polished off. Got mixed reviews but I enjoyed it.

 I read that too last year in Plakias  - but I did not realise it was by Ian Hislop's wife
 roger

I read it this year & loved it, now I'm reading A Taste of Honey by Bryon ? ( will post surname later ), he's a canadian guy but from greek roots he was a chef and now is planning to retire on Crete, all set around the Plakias area. Really good so far. I borrowed it from Andy, at the Library so if you want to read it i'll be taking it back in October.

Rowena