Zorba The Greek

Published as a paperback by Faber in 2008, Zorba The Greek, written by Nikos Kazantzakis, is a surreal and philosophical tale about a young English writer’s experiences when he meets Alexis Zorba.

Set in pre-World War I times, Zorba The Greek follows the life of a young English novelist, who is on a journey to Crete in order to collect an inheritance. Though he initially travels there in a maudlin temper, with an aim to grab the money and get out, he has a chance encounter with the indefatigable and spirited Alexis Zorba. Alexis is a man with a zest for life, an aggressive appetite, a taste for the beauty hidden in the most mundane things, and a magnanimous spirit. Despite initially being at odds, since they are completely different individuals in every regard, Zorba slowly wins over the protagonist, with his profound philosophy, that stems from his experiences with his many lovers, his family (which he loves passionately), and his involvement in fighting the Balkan Wars.

Key Features:

• The book has been adapted into film by the director, Cypriot Michael Cacoyannis, as a British-Greek drama film starring Anthony Quinn as the protagonist, Zorba.
• The book was later adapted into a Broadway musical titled Zorba, in 1968, starring Herschel Bernardi. This was later revived in 1983 with Anthony Quinn again.