The Greek Passion.

KAZANTZAKIS, Nikos.

Item Number: 136486

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1954.

First American edition of Kazantzakis’ powerful tour de force set in Greece during the final days of the Turkish occupation. Octavo, original half cloth. Translated by Jonathan Griffin. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Sam Fischer.

"The novel, The Greek Passion, is without a doubt a work of high artistic order, formed by a tender and firm hand, and built up with strong dynamic power. I have particularly admired the poetic tact in phrasing the subtle, yet unmistakable allusions to the Christian Passion story. They give the book its mythical background which is such a vital element in the epic form today" (Thomas Mann). The story concerns the attempts of a Greek village community to stage a Passion play. It takes place in a Greek village, Lycovrisi 'Wolf-spring', under Ottoman rule. Bohuslav Martinů wrote an opera in four acts, also called The Greek Passion, based on the novel, with a libretto by the composer. Derek Carver based his stage and BBC radio play Not to Send Peace on the novel.