A Greek Who Loved Another Greek

"Zorba the Greek" is Nikos Kazantzakis's magnus opus. Those who were familiar with the Greek writer's works weren't surprised, as the titular character was based from George Zorbas. The two met in Mount Athos. The intellectual and monk became close friends. It was bromance, which was way before the term was coined. The author would be flattered if he were in a sentimental mood.

"How bitter it is to be slowly separated from great friends! Far better make a clean break and remain in solitude - the natural climate for man. And yet, in that rainy dawn, I could not leave my friend."

The novel's unnamed narrator was a young intellectual, whom Stavridakis, one of his former students, called a bookworm. The teacher was offended. Nothing would beat the real thing, which was why Stavridakis went to the Russian Caucasus. The Pontic Greeks were being persecuted and he wanted to help them in any way he could. As for our narrator, he decided to go to the island of Crete.

"I have agreed I should stay several months to play - to play at being a capitalist. If my game succeeds, I shall say it was not a game, but that I had made a great resolution and changed my mode of life."

It was in Piraeus, where a boat would take him to Crete, that he first saw Alexis Zorba.

You're never too old to learn

Our narrator wanted to reopen a disused lignited mine. This was his chance to immerse himself in the world of working-class people, but he read Dante's "Divine Comedy" whenever he was alone. Then Zorba appeared again, applying for a job. He was fascinated by Zorba's expressive manners, which prompted him to hire Zorba as his foreman.

The working hours were long. Zorba was so absorbed in his work, but they were able to have long conversations. He realized that books didn't teach him everything, so he closed his copy of "Divine Comedy". He listened to the crashing of the waves. He bathed in sunlight most of the time. He was enjoying the island's autumn mildness. Those moments were uneventful yet meaningful. He saw the wisdom behind Zorbas's words. Then a letter from Stavridakis arrived. This was followed by a dream, a premonition that his dear friend would die. He left Crete when it happened.

"But why am I writing this to you? To let you see that I have forgotten none of the moments we have lived together. And also to have an opportunity of expressing what, because of our good (or bad) habit of curbing our feelings, I can never reveal to you when we are together."

Kazantzakis visited many countries, but the novel was proof that he cherished the places he have been with Zorbas. The author passed away in Freiburg on October 26, 1957. This was nearly two decades after Zorbas's death. The book outlived both, a proof that a man of letters was capable of showing affection.