About this title: The 50th anniversary edition of the classic novel--a perennial bestseller--is the basis for one of the most beloved films of all time. Zorba's story is as immortal as the myths and epics of ancient Greece.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books, New York
Date Published: 1968
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Nice soft cover, lightly read, light shelf wear to cover, yellowing to pages, stk #2451m8. 347 p.; 18 cm. Translation of: Bios kai politeia tou Alexe zorma. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: simon & schuster
Date Published: 1952
Description: Very Good. Tenth Paperback Printing; Moderate wear, creasing. Edges and corners bumped and rubbed. Pages are clean and Tight. "Zorba makes most heroes of most modern day fiction seem like dyspeptic ghosts. He is Everyman with a Greek accent. " read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date Published: 1968
Description: Good. 12mo-over 6¾"-7¾" tall. Writing on inside front cover indicating the book was given as a birthday present to George, the previous owner. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Simon & Shuster
Date Published: 1952
ISBN-13:9780671211325ISBN:0671211323
Description: Good. Alexis Zorba, the hero of this fiction, is a Greek workman who accompanies the narrator to Crete. Zorba is a figure created on a huge scale: his years have not dimmed the flame by which he lives...311 pp. Cover is shelf worn, corners and spine creased. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Date Published: 1963
Description: Good. -6th Printing--311 pgs. Interior-Nice overall condition. The soft cover has only light signs of use. -Publish Place: New York-Size: 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. read more
"This book is meant to provoke the reader to rethink the way they live their life and hammers home the message that everyone is only on earth for a short time so we'd all better make the most of it before all we're good for is being eaten by worms. It encourages the reader to live everyday intensely, throw themself into everything they do and really appreciate every moment they have with friends and loved ones.
The story itself is very slow burning and I did find that I really had to take my time over it, especially as the language is so thick and poetic. The two main characters are very distinctive and their personalities and attitudes do contribute to the main message of the story. The main characters are more interesting than likable, partly, I found, due to their attitude towards women, but there is still enough warmth and humanity in them to make the main message of the book as powerful as it is and to pull the reader through the story.
I would say that 'Zorba the Greek' is a well-written and interesting read. I would recommend it for anyone after a more intellectual and philosophical read rather than someone just after a good story."
"This book was ok... I picked it up in the airport in Greece because I wanted something to read and this was supposed to be a pretty good example of Greek literature. It's a bit dated, though. The idea that someone who acts independently of social strictures, responsibilities, conventional reason, etc., as the ultimate model to be emulated is something I don't find that relevant in the modern context. Also, the book is older and rife with a somewhat chauvinistic view of women as incomprehensible creatures. But, it was a different time. I was intrigued enough to finish the book and found the characters at least internally consistent and well written within the author's world view. The main character's constant rapturous philosophical declarations are sort of bewildering and occasionally annoying, but a) that's supposed to be one of his character flaws and b) he does occasionally come up with something thought-provoking. I'd be interested to hear someone more experienced in literary criticism tease out more of the meaning in the narrative and characters."
"OK, people, I'm officially in tears. When you slowly savor a book like this for a month as I have, the characters' fates mean something to you. Pound for pound, sentence for sentence, word for word, I've not read a more profound book in all my days, I think. The sentences sing and pulse and it's bright and rich and life affirming with robust characters and a real journey of discovery. This one is now near the top of my favorite books list. Countless times I wanted to mark a nugget of wisdom for later reference, but instead opted to continue wending my way through. There will be time for marking, some day. I adopted Zorba's philosophy of life, I chose to live it rather than fixate on categorizing or trying to contain what I was reading in some mathematic way. This book addresses life and its mysteries and how we can chose to live it. That's all I'm going to say. It is one of the masterpieces of world literature. 'Nuff said."
"I have heard Zorba the Greek a lot but I missed chance of reading it for many years. Zorba's speech make you think it over, what Zorba does ,is experiencing more than thinking! The way he looks women ,is the strangest theory I have heard, tragedy and unrealistic . He said :"woman is something different, boss ... something different. She's not human! Why bear her any grudge? Woman's something incomprehensible, and all the laws of state and religion have got her all wrong.... If I ever had to make laws, I shouldn't make the same laws for men and for women. Ten, a hundred, a thousand commandments for man. Man is a man, after all; he can stand up to it. But not a single law for woman... woman is a creature with no strength ".In the other hand he thinks women are mysterious . I loved the way Zorba looks to the life. Simplicity ,outspokenness , kindness ,joyful and the other Zorba characters are praiseworthy ,he is full of life. ."He speaks and the world grows bigger." Speaking to Zorba, the boss says.Another them in the book is struggle between two different outlooks on life , whereas sometimes you see exploring questions of philosophy .The whole novel emphases on Happiness in life .I should say beside I love many aspects of the book but I have objection about masculinism! ( :D I can't find any other word) author believes in superiority of man against woman .We see two main characters in the book are men who are not perfect but have a lot of vice themselves ,however they are admired for being man!"
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