Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Ten of the best novels set in Greece

Andrew Bostock first traveled to Greece over 25 years ago, and has lived in the country. He is the author of the Bradt Guide to the Peloponnese region.

At the Guardian, Bostock tagged ten "books will take you [to Greece] and lead you on to other things," including:
The King Must Die by Mary Renault

Mary Renault was one of the writers who sent me to Greece in the first place. I read her in my early teens and her “historical” takes on myth are still a firm favourite. This, and its sequel The Bull from the Sea, are a retelling of the life of Theseus, and the first book has action in the Peloponnese, Crete and Athens – all places that have played an important part in my life. Renault does not shy away from the difficult aspects residing in these tales. There is dark stuff here, and no real heroes, either. If you enjoyed Game of Thrones, Renault might be where to go next.
Read about the other entries on the list.

--Marshal Zeringue