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In Greece, writes Peter Bien, politics "stings everyone and everything. Nothing escapes." This major intellectual biography of Nikos Kazantzakis approaches the distinguished--and controversial--writer by describing his struggle with political questions that were in reality aspects of a fervent religious search. Beginning with Kazantzakis's early career in fin de sicle Paris and his discovery of William James, Nietzsche, and Bergson, the book continues by describing his experiments with communism in turbulent Greece, his visits to Soviet Russia, and the publication of his epic Odyssey in 1938. Bien demonstrates that politics and religion cannot be separated in Kazantzakis's development. His major concern was personal salvation, but the method he employed to win that salvation was political engagement. Did deliverance lie in nationalism? Communism? Fascism? He eventually rejected each of these possible solutions as morally appalling. Abused by both left and right, he insisted on an "eschatological politics" of spiritual fulfillment. This compelling biography will be essential reading for Kazantzakis scholars and for a wide audience of those who already admire the Greek author's work. In addition, it will provide an introduction to the first three decades of Kazantzakis's career for those who have yet to enjoy such passionate and stirring novels as Zorba the Greek, The Greek Passion, and The Last Temptation of Christ. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Kazantzakis revealed
Kazantzakis, Politics of the Spirit is one of the most informative, deeply mined, intellectually satisfying books I have ever read.Mr. Bien not only explains the labyrinth of Greek politics that formed the author and colored his writings, but it plumbs his very sould and winds through the backwaters of his mind.One can read Kazantzakis, as I once did, on the surface, or one can follow Mr. Bien's tunnels through the caverns of the complete Kazantzakis entity.It is hoped that the second part is soon to be published. ... Read more

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Kazantzakis's classic novel, blacklisted by the Vatican, filmed by Scorsese, has been labelled heretical, blasphemous and a masterpiece. His Christ is an epic conception, wholly original. ... Read more

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The two plays, written forty years apart, provide insightful commentary on the kinds of questions which manifest themselves in the whole range of Kazantzakis' work. ... Read more