Blending historical fact and classical myth, the author of Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation of Christ transports the reader 3,000 years into the past, to a pivotal point in history: the final days before the ancient kingdom of Minoan Crete is to be conquered and supplanted by the emerging city-state of Athens.
“Nikos Kazantzakis, author of poems, novels, essays, plays, and
travel books, was arguably the most important and most translated
Greek writer and philosopher of the 20th century. [more]”
from Nikos Kazantzakis’s biography on Wikipedia
Theodora Vasils has translated several works by Nikos Kazantzakis.
Among her other translated works are short stories published in
various literary journals, and a book of poetry, In Another Light,
by Koralia Theotokas. Themi Vasils, along with Theodora Vasils, has
translated several works by Nikos Kazantzakis, among them Alexander
the Great as well as books by other contemporary Greek writers.
Their work has won high praise from Kazantzakis's widow, who
comments, “Never has Kazantzakis found better translators.”
“As in Kazantzakis’s other work, there is a strong sense of dual
heritage, particularly in the emphasis on the web of national and
cultural conflicts and connections between then-mighty Crete and
its vassal state Greece. He paints a dreamlike tapestry of the
Cretan magnificence, power, and cruelty against which Athenian
prince Theseus, with aid from Cretan princess Ariadne, must fight
for freedom.”
*Publishers Weekly*
“At the Palace of Knossos, a vivid retelling of the legend of
Theseus and the destruction of the Minoan empire, is one of the
lesser works of Kazantzakis…Yet it is a testament to Kazantzakis’
powers that a work written casually for a young audience can make
compelling reading for people of any age…No modern writer is as
gifted as Kazantzakis in creating characters who are bigger than
life yet very human, and everyone in this story manages to draw
some sympathy from the reader, even the Minotaur…Whether young or
old, those who read this book will not be disappointed.”
*Los Angeles Times*
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