This week’s Ultimate Library offering is a bit of a departure – instead of our usual review, we have the pleasure of hearing from acclaimed author Victoria Hislop who sat down with Ultimate Library to talk about her long-standing love affair with Greece – and in particular the island of Crete and the island of Spinalongas, just a short journey by boat from our very own Karma Minoan in the sparkling Bay of Mirabello… we’re delighted we share the same taste in destinations… read on for some travel inspiration from a true philhellene – a lover of all things Greek.
The Figurine by Victoria Hislop
In her irresistible new novel, Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author Victoria Hislop shines a light on the questionable acquisition of cultural treasures and the price people – and countries – will pay to cling on to them.
Of all the ancient art that captures the imagination, none is more appealing than the Cycladic figurine. An air of mystery swirls around these statuettes from the Bronze Age and they are highly sought after by collectors – and looters – alike.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières
In 1941, Captain Antonio Corelli, a young Italian officer, arrives on the Greek island of Cephallonia with the occupying forces. When Pelagia, the daughter of the local doctor, receives no word from her fiancé, she finds herself drawn to Antonio. But can their love endure the brutal realities of war?
Christ Recrucified by Nikos Kazantzakis
In a small Greek village under Turkish rule, the locals set out to stage a mystery play depicting the life of Christ. Suddenly, the drama of their Passion play begins to unfold in real life, blurring the lines between performance and reality.
The House on Paradise Street by Sofka Zinovieff
A sweeping saga of love and loss beginning on the streets of Nazi-occupied Athens, through the oppressive era of the military junta, and into the conflicts of modern-day Greece. A profound exploration of what happens when political beliefs threaten to eclipse our humanity.
