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Loading... Alexander the Great: A Novel (edition 1982)by Nikos Kazantzakis
Work InformationAlexander the Great by Nikos Kazantzakis
   None No current Talk conversations about this book.  CRChapin | Jul 8, 2023 |   No conflict with Philip - except one scene for which Philip eventually apologizes No conflict with Olympias No conflict between Olympias and Philip No 'relationship' with Hephastion, other than special friend No son from Philip's second marriage Philip's murder was due to 'verbal insult' to Pausanias No Roxanne at all No relationship with Bogoas, he becomes a local somewhere who alerts Alexander to a plot No political killings No conflict with Aristotle over his adopting barbarian ways No destruction of Persepolis Many times the characters talk about 'Greece' a political/national concept that was unlikely to exist at that time. They also often talk about 'God' or 'God of Greece' when they were polytheists. Christianity sneaks in. The barbarian ways that have softened the Persians, and that Alexander adopts are called 'Anatolian' ie: Turkish. Modern bias seeps in, with the Greeks blaming the Turks for bad things, when neither entities even exist yet. Alka the daughter of the admiral and 'friend' of Stephan, behaves and is treated like a modern girl/woman. At times almost too sweet to get through. (  )3  FicusFan | Oct 11, 2009 | no reviews | add a review
Nikos Kazantzakis is no stranger to the heroes of Greek antiquity. In this historical novel based on the life of Alexander the Great, Kazantzakis has drawn on both the rich tradition of Greek legend and the documented manuscripts from the archives of history to recreate an Alexander in all his many-faceted images--Alexander the god; Alexander the descendant of Heracles performing the twelve labors; Alexander the mystic, the daring visionary destined to carry out a divine mission; Alexander the flesh-and-blood mortal who, on occasion, is not above the common soldier's brawling and drinking. The novel, which resists the temptation to portray Alexander in the mantle of purely romantic legend, covers his life from age fifteen to his death at age thirty-two. It opens with Alexander's first exploit, the taming of the horse, Bucephalas, and is seen in great part through the eyes of his young neighbor who eventually becomes an officer in his army and follows him on his campaign to conquer the world. The book, which was written primarily as an educational adjunct for young readers, is intended for the adult mind as well, and like the legends of old, is entertaining as well as instructive for readers of all ages. It was originally published in Greece in serial form in 1940, and was republished in a complete volume in 1979. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)889.332Literature Greek and other Classical languages Medieval and modern Greek Fiction 20th century 1941-1944LC ClassificationRatingAverage: (4)
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Wikipedia in English
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I know that it is a fictionalized story, and written more than 80 years ago, but even taking that into account I couldn't give it more than two stars, even for children. (