A deputy in the Greek Parliament, called Z. in the novel but actually a socialist named Gregory Lambrakis, is murdered in Salonika after addressing a pacifist rally. The murder was committed by one of a group of underemployed dockworkers, recruited by the police. Z. is an idealistic doctor and a legendary lover, too symbolic to come alive as a person. The leftists are all idealistic and thoughtful, and one of the rightists, typically, is a child molester. I'm kind of a lefty myself, but the polarization made me kind of embarrassed. But I enjoyed it as a novel, as a story, and despite the politics (which is probably pretty unusual for Z's fans); it had a good narrative flow and was vividly atmospheric. ( )

In 1963, a dynamic, progressive young politician was assassinated. No, not Kennedy. Gregory Lambrakis, socialist legislator and critic of the Greek government, was murdered in Salonika, in a government supported conspiracy. Nearly a half-million people followed his coffin to Athens. The letter "Z" ("he lives") began appearing everywhere.

Z was published in 1966. One year later, the American-supported junta had seized power and the book was banned, its author in exile.