Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis - summary and analysis
In this video I talk about one of the best novels of modern Greek. Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis was published in 1946 and translated to English in 1952 by Carl Wildman. The novel was made in a very successful movie in 1964 starring Anthony Quin. So in this video I will summarise it for you and then discuss its writing, themes and philosophies. At the end I will tell how to live your life like Zorba. I'm on journey to read the best fiction from every country on earth. This is my choice for Greee.
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Amazing video!! Needs a lot more views.
@Fiction_Beast
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
One of my 5 fav books. Zorba was a real guy, that Nikos met on his way to Crete. He was actually from Macedonia. Zorba is the epitome of faith. Not in religion, or God, or salvation. Zorba, in Nikos's words, "Awoke everyday and saw the world as if for the first time" Gusto, humor, passion, curiosity, questioning, contrariness, hypocrisy, lusty, humble...Zorba possessed all the greatest qualities.
An excellent analysis. In retirement I am reading a major novel from each European country. I know I shall find your videos helpful.
@Fiction_Beast
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! That’s is awesome. I made a series of 5 videos discussing the best novels from every European country. You can find them here.
Thanks for this great video, I read Zorba a few years ago and had forgotten a lot of the greatness of this book. Your video reminded me of what it was that I so enjoyed and what it is about life that is so remarkable. Will definitely be re-reading this soon and rewatching your video. Keep up the great work.
@Fiction_Beast
3 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome! It's easily the best novel i have read this year. Beautiful writing but wonderful character, that Zorba!
Zorba the Greek is my favorite book. This is a great tribute to it. I’ve spent a lot of time on the Greek islands, mainly because of this book, but also movies like Summer Lovers and Shirley Valentine that captured the Greek spirit well. I have recorded and illustrated some stories about my experiences in Greece over on my channel if you’d like to have a listen. Thanks for this great channel, and the heightened education you provide.
I just finished the novel. It really makes you yearn for friendship and camaraderie as well as ups and downs in life. Zorba is an amazing character The summary was accurate and the last few lines about living life sums it up!
@Fiction_Beast
2 жыл бұрын
One of the best novels I have read in 2021. Thank you!
I read it a few months ago and u reminded it now. I liked the book and I highly recommend it for the readers. Zorba's ideas and deductions about women were very impressive for me. You analysed the book in a great way. And the sceneries you shared are amazing. I definetly want to visit Greece one day.
@Fiction_Beast
3 жыл бұрын
It's a fantastic novel. Hands down on the best I have read this year.
I was curious to read this, now m super excited.. Beautiful description.. Thank you
Such a beautifully made video! I read about this book in one of Murakami's short stories in Blind willow sleeping woman. I looked up online to find it's a very loved book. Hope to read it someday. Thanks for such a beautiful reminder!!
@Fiction_Beast
3 жыл бұрын
Wonderful! Thank you!
Splendid presentation: thoroughly researched, interesting, and informative. Very well done indeed! Nikos Kazantzakis is one of my favourite authors - probably my favourite in Modern Greek. I think this video is an excellent introduction to his life and work. Besides Zorba, I would highly recommend a read of his Report to Greco, Freedom or Death, The Last Temptation, Christ Recrucified, and The Fratricides. His collected letters (he was a prolific letter-writer who corresponded with many noted intellectuals of his day in several languages) and travel anthologies are also very interesting as are his dramatic and poetical works - especially his epic “Odyssey”.
@Fiction_Beast
2 жыл бұрын
Really appreciate the comment. Also thank you for the recommendations!
@dorianphilotheates3769
2 жыл бұрын
Fiction Beast - Very welcome.
Read his poem 'Ithica"
thank you sir for a wonderful enjoyable and enlightening Video and summary. it is a riddle why there are only few views! now i have a big urge to be on that island to read there the book in original language (that means to spend few years to learn the language ;-) ). I believe that Zorba is still alive somewhere on the island and i might meet him ;.)
My favorite Kazantzakis novel is Garden. Like zorba it is a study in spirit and matter. The same is true of report to Greco and St. Francis. He is a writer I can’t help but love.
@Fiction_Beast
2 жыл бұрын
i should read more kazantzakis
@markspano3468
2 жыл бұрын
Rock Garden
The title of this book has let it down? I'm amazed that this novel is not more well-known. I had the same feeling, when i heard of it. It didnt excite me. But after reading it, wow!! What do you think would be a better title for Zorba the Greek?
@dorianphilotheates3769
2 жыл бұрын
Fiction Beast - Well, Zorba the Greek is the popular, rather misleading, and oversimplified English title of the novel (and film). The actual title in Greek is, ΒΙΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΟΛΙΤΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΛΕΞΗ ΖΟΡΜΠA (transliteration: VIOS KAI POLITEIA TOU ALEXI ZORBA) which is more properly translated as, The Life and Polity of Alexis Zorba or more colloquially (and loosely), The Life and Times of Alexis Zorbas, or even, The Life and Thought of Alexis Zorba. ADDENDUM (edit): Naturally, there is no mention of “Greek” in the original title - but it’s catchy, if kitschy; so it caught on...Curious: apart from English, what other language can you read? Just wondering if there are any good translations of Kazantzakis’ novels in your native language.
You are awesome
@Fiction_Beast
2 жыл бұрын
Appreciate it.
You should read Christ is recrucified by Kazantzakis which is more like a novel in comparison to zorbas which is a novel but it has a more philosophical character. Christ recrucified is a beautiful and touching novel which is truly amazing and it shows the life of Greeks in Asia minor at very difficult times. Kazantzakis is truly loved in Greece and is considered one of the best even though the church had beef with him because of his opinions
@Fiction_Beast
2 жыл бұрын
Appreciate the recommendations! I will check them out.
Could you please link to the Marcel Proust quote about love that you used? I couldn't find the source
Awesome video! I have a book with 4 works of Kazantzakis, i read Christ Recrucified and i loved it! Could see the communist inclinatiom of the writer while reading without leaving aside any of the conflict's passion and vivid description. The other 3 books (which sadly dont include Zorba) are "Toda-Raba", "liberty or death" and "the asis poorman" (translations done by myself, the names may differ from spanish to englisj) which one would u suggest me to read? Keep it going!
@Fiction_Beast
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! This was my first of his novels. I will def read more of his novels for sure. It's a shame this novel is not so well-known. I blame the title. lol!
@tolefko
3 жыл бұрын
“The saviors of god”. You thank me later ;)
@Fiction_Beast
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome. Thanks.
Will you make more videos about greek literature?
@Fiction_Beast
Жыл бұрын
Did you see my video on homer?
@maa3563
Жыл бұрын
@Fiction Beast no i did not. BUT, i ment modern literature
@maa3563
Жыл бұрын
(I will check the one on Homer btw)
2:12 Why is Sylvester Stallone in that picture?
@Fiction_Beast
Жыл бұрын
Oops
@Entedeficción
Жыл бұрын
@@Fiction_Beast ?
@Entedeficción
Жыл бұрын
@@Fiction_Beast Hay otros errores en tu vídeo, pero, como veo que no eres educado ni agradecido, prefiero no decírtelos. Un poco más de cultura general y algo de amabilidad no te vendrían mal.
Kazantzakis is a good writer. but the book is hardly the best we ever written.If one takes in mind the books written from ancient times to today the title seems rather click baity . If you mean to say the best book of modern Greek history i would direct you to the works of Papadiamantis.
@brandonterzic
5 ай бұрын
which of his books do you recommend?
@ChristosGoulios
5 ай бұрын
all . @@brandonterzic
Greeks seem to be the great thinkers! The great ponderers. Just sayin;....
Macedonian and Greek are the exact same thing, Why are you trying to proliferate the spread of misinformation? What agenda do you have to try to separate Greeks from Greeks? Macedonians are Greeks just like Athenians, Cretans, Thracians or Pontic Greeks, they are an inseparable part of what Hellas means and encompasses - And all and any university or other seat of higher learning where history is being taught will tell you as much. Macedonians were never, and will never, be a slavic people.
@user-qg6lj9gi2s
10 ай бұрын
Relax babe
@brandonterzic
5 ай бұрын
thanks for sharing...did not know this
Zorba is not Greek. He was Serb born in Serbia (today Macedonia). Because Greek can’t pronounce SRB or Serbian they pronounce Zerb (linguistic). In the time before Ottoman left Balkan no Greek found in Peloponnesus and special Macedonia.
Read One Hundred Years of Solitude and Zorba the Greek one after the other. Marquez macro picture of seven generations living through civil war, magical moments, lust etc is great. But I loved the micro down to the earth character of Zorba who lives in reality but puts before his boss the great puzzles regarding life, God, women, nature etc more. Is there any writing comparing Marquez and Kazantsakis?
@Fiction_Beast
7 ай бұрын
Memed my hawk by yashar Kemal is a roller coaster of a novel. I think you will enjoy it.