James Baquet

    Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957) is one of the few modern Greek writers to become widely famous in the English-speaking world — if not the only one.

    And he has done so in a big way. First was the joyous, slightly ribald “Zorba the Greek,” Kazantzakis’s 1946 novel that became a smash 1964 film. Nominated for Oscars for best picture, director, and actor (all of which were lost to “My Fair Lady”) as well as best adapted screenplay, the film won for best supporting actress and in the black-and-white category for both best art direction and best cinematography.

    Anthony Quinn was especially praised for his performance as Zorba, a loveable scoundrel who takes an uptight young Englishman under his wing and teaches him to dance, both literally and — more importantly — metaphorically.

    The other book by Kazantzakis which was made into a film was his 1955 novel “The Last Temptation of Christ,” which became an extremely controversial film in 1988. Although director Martin Scorsese was nominated for a best director Oscar, the portrayal of Christ as having sexual fantasies caused attacks or vandalism at several French theaters showing the film. It was banned or censored in numerous countries, and protestors picketed the offices of the studio that produced it.

    Kazantzakis had long been dead by this time. With a PhD. in philosophy from the Sorbonne, he generally “thought outside the box,” to the extent that the Greek Orthodox Church denied him burial in a proper cemetery upon his death.

    It is said that Kazantzakis was a torn man, desiring the good things in life but haunted by a yearning for something more. Thus both Zorba and his protégé embody aspects of Kazantzakis’s personality, living a carefree life while acting responsibly; and his Christ dreams of marriage and a comfortable life while hanging on the cross.

    This longing also produced a profound wanderlust, which led to his travel in numerous countries, including China, Japan, England, Egypt, and Russia. Among the over 40 books he wrote (out of necessity: He needed the money) were six travelogues.

    Vocabulary:

    Which word above means:

    1. bad person

    2. daydreams of a sexual nature

    3. another name for the University of Paris

    4. stories of travel

    5. extremely popular

    6. desire to travel

    7. vulgar, irreverent

    8. student of a mentor

    9. carried signs to protest outside a building

    10. into his care and instruction