Customer Reviews

Alexander The Great: A Novel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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It is an extraordinary book for youngsters which gives both history and adventure. I already knew the biography of Alexander but I wanted it in story-form and this book is the best.I'm glad I didn't have to wait till I'm old enough to read Alexander's story in Mary Renault's version with all the extra spicy bits.(I haven't read it, my dad told me about it). (...)

Kazantzakis originally wrote this as a series in a literary periodical and was largely aimed at a teenage audience. As the translater notes, Kazantzakis would probably have liked to edit the combined work. Nonetheless this is a fantastic adventure packed - page turning novel which is based on the historical life of Alexander the Great.

This book is ideal for a teenage boy or for an older reader that likes a good adventure story and wants to get an interesting summary of Alexander's exploits.

Kazantzakis takes us through the Alexander's amazing life from his early teenage years to his ultimate death. The story is narrated through the eyes of a young boy of the Macedonian court that ultimately becomes one of Alexander's closest friends.

A teenage boy will find strong positive messages about the possibilities available through commitment to achievement(and learn a bit of history through the process). It's not just Alexander's belief in achieving the unthinkable, the adventures of heading to war and conquering unknown lands that will entrance young (and old) readers. Kazantzakis also tastefully includes small snipets of childhood romance in the life of the young narrator with sensitivity.

The only piece that left me only a little dissapointed was the complete absence of any mention of Roxanne. I thought that Alexander's great romance should have got a mention.

First I would like to mention that I have read all of Kazantzakis's work in Greek, and most of it in English. The translation of this book if very good, and most of the meaning of the original text is properly conveyed. Kazantzakis aspect of Alexander the Great is a Greek's point of view. Nevertheless Kazantzakis, like in all his works (Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation to name but a few) is very critical towards his subject. He is not a writer that writes only about the merits of his characters but also on their weeknesses. Even though the imperialistic aspect of Alexander the Great is a thing few people can imagine as proper nowadays, it was very correct and normal at the time he used to live. Indeed through conquering and slaughtering he brought Greek civilisation to the ends of the known world of his time. A book written in simple language (Kazantzakis idiom language, unfortunately could not be translated) but full of meaning. Two thumbs up.

I have read 6 of Alexander's biographies. This was the 7th. The only one written by a Greek for a Greek. I find this the most accurate, objective and exciting one. A must read. Kazantzakis at his best. I just hope that Stone's version depicted on film will do justice to the Great Macedonian King. Alexander Lives!

The book is comptivating and an easy read. It has sparked an interest as to what happened after the end of Alexander the Great. It also has me wanting to understand what he was like just a little more. Anyone wanting to learn a little about history and a great warrior would find this book of interest.

My 12-year-old son read this book after reading several non-fiction books about Greek society and Alexander the Great. He highly recommends it.

Cleverly written from the perspective of a boy in the Macedonian court, this book provides a gentle and reasonably accurate, if glossed over, introduction to Alexander for young readers. (Note: I read the translated version, since I am not familiar with modern Greek.)