Take a deep dive into the Aegean as Ultimate Library brings you 12 unique books that lift the veil on these ethereal islands, their ancient heritage and contemporary social and cultural makeup. From Mythos, Stephen Fry’s modern retellings of Greek myths to Henry Miller’s lyrical travel classic The Colossus of Maroussi and Patricia Highsmith’s suspenseful 1964 thriller The Two Faces of January, these are the Greek Islands as perceived by some of the world’s great literary minds.
1. The Ingenious Language: Nine Epic Reasons to Love Greek (2019)
Virginia Woolf once wrote, “It is to the Greeks that we turn when we are sick of the vagueness of our own age.” Marcolongo invites the reader to rediscover Ancient Greek—a language uniquely equipped to articulate the inexpressible. Explore its rich grammar, profound insights on love and mindfulness, and uncover its timeless relevance to modern life.
2. The Cyclades: Discovering the Greek Islands of the Aegean (2010)
The Cyclades are the heart and soul of Greece, where stunning seascapes meet 7,000 years of history and culture. From the legendary Atlantis to the sacred island of Delos—birthplace of Apollo and Artemis—and Naxos, the realm of Dionysos, these islands are steeped in myth and tradition. Freely’s guide brings their rich heritage and vibrant charm to life, capturing the essence of their timeless allure. Paul Bailey of The Sunday Times praised the guide as a book he “fell in love with… and stayed enamored until the final page.”
3. Mythos (2017)
Sunday Times bestseller, Fry breathes new life into the timeless tales of Greek mythology, making the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus feel strikingly human and relatable. Marvel as Athena springs fully formed from Zeus’s head, shake with fear as Pandora dares to open her jar of torments, and descends into the shadowy depths of the Underworld alongside Persephone. A dazzling retelling that makes ancient legends fresh, modern, and utterly compelling.
4. The Destroyers (2022)
After his father’s death and financial ruin, Ian Bledsoe seeks refuge on the sunny island of Patmos, hoping to find solace with his childhood friend Charlie. But when Charlie disappears, Ian is drawn into a web of deceit, uncovering dark secrets behind his friend’s charming exterior. A gripping thriller of power, betrayal, and the lingering shadows of a childhood game they never stopped playing.
5. The Colossus of Maroussi (1941)
A lyrical travel classic, hailed as Henry Miller’s finest and “one of the five greatest travel books of all time” by Pico Iyer. In 1939, traveling with Lawrence Durrell, Miller immerses himself in the enchantment of Greece, recounting sacred springs, a near-death encounter with sheep, and vibrant meetings with the charismatic poet Katsumbalis.
6. The Greek Revolution: 1821 and the Making of Modern Greece (2023)
Described as “exquisite” by The Times and “superbly subtle” by the Daily Telegraph, Mark Mazower delivers a definitive account of Greece’s struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire in the 1820s. Mazower examines the revolution’s profound influence on Romanticism, nationalism, and European politics, showcasing how ordinary people reshaped history through extraordinary sacrifice.
7. The Shortest History of Greece (2022)
James Heneage masterfully distills over three millennia of Greek history, uncovering pivotal yet often overlooked moments—from the Theban general Epaminondas to the splendor of the Hellenistic Age and the resilience of the Byzantine Empire. Spanning the glory of Pericles and the Parthenon to the modern nation’s battles with climate change, occupation, and austerity, this is more than just a history, highlighting Greece’s enduring legacy and its lessons for modern democracies.
8. The Women of Troy (2021)
Pat Barker revisits Homer’s world in a powerful reimagining hailed by The Sunday Times as “a myth for the #MeToo age.” Set after Troy’s fall, Barker depicts the uneasy aftermath as victorious heroes linger in limbo alongside the women whose city they’ve destroyed. At its heart is Briseis, bearing the unborn child of the fallen hero Achilles, alongside Helen, Cassandra, Amina, and Hecuba—all caught in the violent disputes of men while fighting to defy the silence imposed by history.
9. The Two Faces of January (1964)
From the bestselling author of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Carol, and Strangers on a Train, hailed by The Times as “the No. 1 greatest crime writer,” comes another tale of gripping suspense. In Athens, the lives of conman Chester MacFarlane and young drifter Rydal Keener collide when the law closes in on Chester and his wife, Colette. Highsmith expertly crafts a tense, cross-European game of cat and mouse as their fates become dangerously entwined.
10. Outline (2018)
Praised by Deborah Levy as “a perfect synthesis of form and content,” Outline is a uniquely original novel structured around ten conversations. Set during a scorching summer in Athens, it follows a novelist teaching a creative writing course as she interacts with students, fellow writers, and strangers. Through their stories, fears, and regrets, a subtle portrait of the narrator emerges—a woman grappling with profound loss. With its spare, lucid prose, the novel delves into themes of identity, self-discovery, and the intricacies of human connection.
11. A World on Fire (2019)
In 1824, as Greece battles for independence, Hara, the daughter of a Maniot chief, rescues Prince Tzanis, a royal on a secret mission to support the revolution, from a shipwreck. Their love blossoms but is torn apart by the turbulent political landscape. Reunited by a shared resolve to overthrow Turkish rule, they join forces to rally support from France, Russia, and Britain, determined to save Greece from the brink of war and destruction.
12. A Thing of Beauty (2022)
The Observer describes Peter Fiennes as a “brilliant and generous guide through Greece” in his exploration of the modern relevance of Greek myths, from Theseus and Hera to Pandora. Visiting iconic sites and blending mythology with travel, Fiennes offers a sage meditation on our connection to the past and the world around us.
