Inventing Paradise – The Greek Journey 1937-1947

Well it happens infrequently, but once in a while you read a book and you immediately question, “I wonder what class this was required reading in?”  Edmund Keeley’s Inventing Paradise – The Greek Journey 1937-1947 is a narrowly focused book on literature, specifically authors who lived in Greece during the pre-through-post World War II era.  Henry Miller, an American writer, is visiting Greece during the low period of the country and provides in-depth picturesque descriptions of the beautiful landscapes and simultaneously, the impending dangers facing the country as Germany inches closer to annihilating the citizenry as it stands at the time.  Miller also presents his various liaisons with Greek writers, such as, Lawrence Durrell (whom Miller had gone to visit), George Katsimbalis, and George Seferis (whom later received a Nobel laureate in literature).  Interspersed throughout the narrative were poems that helped capture the essence of the moments depicting a dark foreshadowing of what was to follow.  The authors would gather together to lament the Greek culture, art, freedom and what may face the society.  Certainly the major issues of politics were central to the conversations.  After the war Miller strayed away from his colleagues, while Greece was to enter a dark period of rebuilding.  The book broke into almost two parts for me, the friendship and comradery of the writers and then the actual historical events that occurred in Greece in the War era.  It almost felt disconnected and hard to stay immersed.  I will admit I am not the biggest history reader, so adding the writers experiences to the book made it hard to stay focused on what the author was doing, or maybe it was me.  Clearly this was a required reading for a Twentieth Century Greek culture course.  If that is your interest, grab the book.  While an ok read, I wouldn’t run out and order it.  For me, I’ll take a pass.