Freedom and Death

I have read many books about Greeks and Crete and Turks. My mother's mother came from there, born just after the last Cretan rebellion against the Ottomans. Even so, the fierceness of the enemies, the ferocious fighting, the adamantine resistance of the freedom fighters astounded me. I asked myself if I could survive in that hate-filled and violent environment. What would I have been like if I grew up and married into such a patriarchal and rigid society? And yet I grew prouder of my Cretan blood. Freedom or Death, Don't Tread on Me: those patriotic sentiments run in my blood. Kazantzakis is not for the faint at heart. And he is worth every page, with his brilliant descriptions of the country, the times, the historical events, and the dark and wild interior of people's hearts.

Wonderful! Read it three times and probably will again. I am fascinated by the language, the atmosphere and everytime I find something new.

Print is set in very small type..and hard to read...

Kazantzakis' story is set in Crete towards the end of its time as Turkish province, when a liberation movement is stirring. The protagonist Captain Michales idealises freedom, to the point he disdains the pragmatic advice of his wife and the elders of Meghalo Kastro. Michales's boyhood friend Nuri Bey is the only Turk on Crete he does not despise as an enemy. But he is also enchanted by Nuri's wife, Eminé, her allure ensnaring him so that he cannot be free nor strive as he would to the liberation of Crete. His other failings include cruelty towards those around him when his inactivity leads him to wallow, inebriating himself with the local ouzo and retsina. Altogether, the Captain is not a strikingly sympathetic character.The Turkish oppression is apparently heavy but it is not detailed by Kazantzakis; the Cretans have religious and linguistic freedom, and their own schools. Yet the thematic loss of freedom is in itself enough to instill intolerable bitterness, leading to frequent uprisings that are poorly coordinated and unsuccessful. Still, the rebellions give opportunities to settle personal scores, that seem quite petty, at least to a modern reader. For example, in 1865, Captain Séfakas, a Greek, met a Turkish magnate, Hani Ali, who struck him because he failed to show reverence by dismounting his donkey in sign of respect; the following year, Séfakas' son avenged the insult, and so set an intergenerational feud in motion, that later comes to stir animosity between Michales and Nuri Bey. But because the latter's genitalia have become useless, he is `no longer a man' just as the waning Ottoman Empire is no longer fit to rule its possessions.In the final uprising within the novel, the Turks, who have lost their taste for conquest, just as Nuri Bey has lost his virility, hope the Greeks will lay down their arms voluntarily. The Turks are not compassionate but fear interference from the Great Powers. Many Greek captains are willing to accept amnesty, to postpone their bid for freedom. For them the ultimatum "Freedom or Death" is not tantamount. But Michales cannot accept this constant cycle of inconsequential actions. The only way he can redeem himself from his self-loathing is through commitment to Crete's salvation-a worthless gesture that brings the novel to an unsatisfactory conclusion even if the failed hero feels better about himself in the end.

I was kind of surprised not to see any reviews on this amazing novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. Let me start by saying that I 've read this novel only in the original Greek version. Nevertheless, I feel I can comment on the content and the feelings that this "journey" inspired me.I originally felt that you have to be Greek to really feel the intensity of the ideas that storm through this story that takes place during the Greek Revolution era (1820's) against the Turkish oppression in the island of Crete. However, any reader can rise above the distinctive historical and cultural context (which with marvel you will experience its description) and get swept by the powerful ideas of love for one's home, love for one's family and such love for one's freedom that death is a duty. It is suggested however to familiarize yourself with some facts about Kazantakis' life and work by reading "Report to Greco" or/and his classic "Zorba the Greek". The fight for freedom is an idea that can be symbolized in many aspects of our lives and that sadly has now become a very commercial and misunderstood concept. It is in this book however that I read about it being given in its purest form as the ultimate fight for an idea that is more precious than life itself. The title of the book encompasses its substance: it is Freedom AND Death.The writing by Kazantzakis is greatly colorful with beautiful details that create the reality of that time. At the same time, his writing is very affecting; being a Cretan himself you can see his deep love for his home testified on the pages. This is not an easy read, I feel you need to be in a specific mood to engage in this book since it requires your soul to be present and not just your mind. It is emotionally drenching, the human struggles (both psychological and physical, inner and overt) depicted are fiercely touching and the glorious and bloody climax builds up in a ceremonial way. In the end of this book I trully experienced a catharsis, for the first time at such strength, having gone through so many emotional stages with the characters and the plot of the story. As in other Kazantakis books, people might find sexist elements or even misogyny, but bear in mind the historical era and the patriarchic structure of society at the time.I realize this review is quite personal, but I just felt the need to share my thoughts and feelings about this masterpiece. Approach this novel with an open mind and an open heart and I assure you, you will be rewarded.

Excellent book, I own an old dog-eared copy. Why can't I find a Kindle edition, too ?

Great addition to my library..great philosophy

Wonderful historical story by a Nobel winner

Excellent

A++++++++++++

The shipping was perfect. I am very satisfied with this book: the writer, the story even the translation is amazing for me.

so glad I ordered the book, enjoyed it immensely