Nikos Kazantzakis wrote “Zorba the Greek,” a novel about the friendship between a reserved writer and a vibrant man named Zorba. The story follows their experiences on Crete, where the writer hopes to revive a mine.
Zorba’s zest for life leads to unforgettable moments, from lively dances to his views on love and death. The book explores their contrasting philosophies and the beauty of living fully.
Nikos Kazantzakis wrote “Captain Michalis,” a novel set in Crete during its fight for freedom from the Ottoman Empire. The story follows Captain Michalis, a fierce and proud Cretan, whose uncompromising dedication to his homeland’s independence drives his actions.
His struggles reflect the broader clash between personal desires and the ultimate sacrifice for liberty. The novel paints a vivid picture of Crete’s traditions, honor, and the cost of rebellion.
“The Island” by Victoria Hislop tells the story of Alexis, a young woman who travels to Crete to uncover the secrets of her family’s past. Her journey leads her to the abandoned island of Spinalonga, which was once a leper colony.
Through her discoveries, Alexis learns about love, loss, and the sacrifices made by her ancestors. The novel paints a vivid picture of life on Spinalonga and the resilience of its inhabitants.
“The King Must Die” by Mary Renault reimagines the myth of Theseus, focusing on his early life and adventures. Theseus grows up believing he is the son of a god.
The story follows his journey to claim his birthright, his role in the intricate rituals of ancient Crete, and his encounters with the bull dancers in the palace of Knossos.
It brings myth into a vivid, earthly world and explores the customs and beliefs that may have shaped these legendary tales.
Mary Renault wrote “The Bull from the Sea,” which follows the life of the Greek hero Theseus after his victory over the Minotaur. The story explores his return to Athens, his rise to power, and his struggles as a leader.
Along the way, it dives into his relationships, including his bond with the Amazon queen, Hippolyta. The book mixes myth and historical detail, creating a vivid picture of ancient Greece through Theseus’s eyes.
The book “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” by Louis de Bernières is set on the Greek island of Cephalonia during World War II.
It tells the story of Pelagia, a young woman engaged to a local fisherman who goes off to war, and Captain Corelli, an Italian officer stationed on the island.
As war changes their lives, their paths cross in unexpected ways, creating a mix of heartbreak, humor, and friendship amidst the chaos of occupation. The novel gives a vivid sense of life on the island, its traditions, and its struggles during a dark time in history.
The book “Pascali’s Island” by Barry Unsworth is set on a small Greek island during the final years of the Ottoman Empire.
It follows Basil Pascali, who works as a spy reporting back to Constantinople, as he becomes entangled in the lives of an English archaeologist and a local artist. The story explores themes of betrayal, deception, and moral ambiguity against the backdrop of a fading empire.
Pascali’s observations and manipulations pull readers into a tense and atmospheric world where trust is scarce and every encounter seems layered with ulterior motives.
The book “The Colossus of Maroussi” by Henry Miller is a vivid account of the author’s travels in Greece before World War II. Miller describes his encounters with the land and its people, capturing the beauty of the Greek landscape and the charm of its villages.
Through his friendship with Greek writer George Katsimbalis, often referred to as the “Colossus,” Miller reflects on art, life, and the deeper meanings he finds in the country’s culture.
The novel “Gates of Fire” by Steven Pressfield tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae through the eyes of a Greek slave named Xeones.
He serves as a squire to a Spartan warrior and narrates the events leading up to the legendary clash between the Spartans and the Persian army. The book gives a vivid picture of Spartan life, their strict training, and their unwavering loyalty to one another.
“The Daughter” by Pavlos Matesis focuses on a woman reflecting on her mother’s life in a small Greek village during World War II. Through her memories, the book reveals the sacrifices her mother made to ensure their survival under the German occupation.
The story is filled with haunting moments, offering a window into a world shaped by poverty, war, and resilience.
The novel “Nights of Rain and Stars” by Maeve Binchy takes place in a small Greek village where a group of strangers from different countries cross paths. Each of them is dealing with personal struggles, and they find themselves unexpectedly connected through a local tragedy.
The story follows their friendships, the emotional bonds that form, and the ways they help each other face their own challenges while embracing the beauty of the Greek setting.
“A Theatre for Dreamers” by Polly Samson is set on the Greek island of Hydra in the 1960s. It follows Erica, a young woman who arrives with dreams of a new life after her mother’s death.
The story unfolds around a circle of artists, writers, and musicians, including Leonard Cohen, who live on the island. The novel explores their relationships and creative struggles against the backdrop of Hydra’s stunning scenery.
Steven Pressfield’s “Last of the Amazons” takes readers to ancient Greece, where the fierce warrior women of legend clash with the Athenians. The story centers on a young Greek woman, raised among the Amazons, and her bond with an Amazon queen named Antiope.
Through loyalty and betrayal, love and loss, the book paints a vivid picture of the brutal conflict between two very different ways of life.
The book “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller is a retelling of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, set against the backdrop of the Trojan War.
It follows their bond from childhood and explores their connection as they face the challenges of destiny, honor, and war. The story brings ancient Greek mythology to life, with characters like the fierce goddess Thetis and the clever Odysseus playing key roles in their journey.
Alistair MacLean wrote “The Guns of Navarone,” a thrilling wartime novel set on a fictional Greek island. The story follows a group of Allied soldiers on a mission to destroy massive German guns that block naval passage.
With dangerous cliffs, enemy patrols, and shifting loyalties, the mission tests their skills and courage at every turn.
Rob MacGregor’s “Indiana Jones and the Peril at Delphi” follows a young Indiana Jones in the 1920s as he gets caught up in a dangerous mystery in Greece.
While working as a professor in New York, Jones is drawn to Delphi after a friend’s strange death, uncovering clues tied to ancient rituals and the Oracle of Delphi.
The story weaves in secret societies, ancient artifacts, and a fight for survival as Indiana navigates the shadowy world around the ruins.
The novel “Hotel Acropolis” by Pierre Drieu La Rochelle is set in Athens and explores the lives of a group of people staying at the titular hotel. The story follows characters caught in personal struggles, as they navigate love, identity, and disillusionment.
The backdrop of Greece’s ancient history adds depth to their fleeting connections. Through the interactions of these individuals, the book paints a picture of loneliness and longing in a bustling yet fragile world.
The “The Athenian Murders” by José Carlos Somoza is a unique mystery novel set in ancient Athens. It follows the investigation of a young student’s death, which at first appears to be a simple case.
But as the Philosopher, the investigator, uncovers clues, he begins to see something far bigger unfolding. The story includes another layer—focused on the translator of the text itself—blurring the boundaries between the ancient mystery and the modern world.
“Goddess of Yesterday” by Caroline B. Cooney is a historical novel set in ancient Greece. It follows Anaxandra, a young girl taken from her island home and thrust into a world of danger and betrayal.
She eventually ends up in the court of Helen of Troy, where she must navigate the treacherous dynamics of the famous characters from Greek mythology. With vivid settings and high stakes, the story weaves personal survival into larger mythological events.
Rosemary Sutcliff’s “Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of the Iliad” retells the legendary events of the Trojan War in a way that feels vivid and alive.
The story begins with the golden apple given to Paris and takes readers through battles, heroes, and the fateful showdown between Achilles and Hector. It brings to life figures like Helen, whose beauty sparked the war, and the clever Odysseus.
With its rich details, it captures the timeless drama of glory, betrayal, and loss.
“The Blood of Olympus” by Rick Riordan is the fifth book in the Heroes of Olympus series. It follows the story of seven demigods on a quest to stop the Earth goddess, Gaea, from waking and destroying the world.
While half the group heads to Athens to confront their enemies, the others race against time to recruit help and prevent a Roman-Greek war. The book intertwines mythology with action, featuring Greek gods, deadly battles, and the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
The novel “The Greeks Have a Word for It” by Barry Unsworth follows a down-and-out Englishman named Pendlebury who lands in Athens hoping to restart his life. He gets caught up in a colorful community of expatriates and locals, all with their own quirks and schemes.
As Pendlebury tries to navigate his way through this world, he finds himself entangled in convoluted plans and personal drama against the backdrop of Greek culture and life.
The book captures the charm and chaos of Greece through vivid and humorous situations while exploring themes of identity and belonging.
“Oh. My. Gods.” by Tera Lynn Childs is about Phoebe, a teenage girl uprooted from her life in California when her mom marries a man from Greece. She soon discovers her new stepfather and classmates are descendants of Greek gods.
Between trying to fit in and dealing with this shocking revelation, Phoebe finds herself facing challenges she never imagined. It’s a mix of high school drama and mythological twists, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Greek islands.
The novel “The Two Faces of January” by Patricia Highsmith is about a chance encounter between a young American named Rydal Keener and a wealthy couple, Chester and Colette MacFarland, in Athens.
What starts as a seemingly innocent meeting unfolds into a tense story involving deceit, murder, and shifting alliances as their lives become deeply entangled.
The backdrop of ancient ruins contrasts with the characters’ secrets, creating an atmospheric setting for their unraveling relationships.
“Child of a Dream” by Valerio Massimo Manfredi tells the story of Alexander the Great’s youth. It focuses on his early years, the intense relationship with his parents, and his first steps toward becoming a legendary leader.
The book captures moments like Alexander taming the horse Bucephalus and his fiery encounters with Aristotle. It paints a vivid world where gods and ambition shape destinies.
“Over the Wine Dark Sea” by Harry Turtledove is a historical novel set in ancient Greece. The story follows the adventures of Menedemos and Sostratos, two cousins who are merchants sailing the Mediterranean.
They navigate cultural differences, political tensions, and personal challenges as they trade goods like fine wine and olive oil. The book gives a glimpse into life in the Hellenistic era, filled with vivid details about travel, trade, and daily life in Greece.
Valerio Massimo Manfredi’s “Spartan” follows the life of a boy named Lysander, born to a helot mother and a Spartan father. He grows up facing the harsh realities of life in a society that values strength and discipline above all else.
The story takes you through his struggles with identity, loyalty, and survival in the brutal world of ancient Sparta. With plenty of battles, betrayals, and tests of character, it paints a vivid picture of what it meant to live under the Spartan system.
“A Thousand Ships” by Natalie Haynes tells the story of the Trojan War through the voices of the women impacted by it. The book gives life to characters like Penelope, waiting for Odysseus to come home, and Hecuba, mourning the fall of Troy.
It captures their struggles, pain, and resilience, showing the war from a perspective often overlooked in traditional myths.