I’ve only ever known Greece through the screen, so when my husband and I planned a visit to the country in early 2025, I knew I wanted to start reading quickly!
I had an idea of what to expect from Greece thanks to movies like Mamma Mia!, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, or The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants that featured whitewashed buildings, delicious food, and dramatic cliffs, or from Hollywood blockbusters like 300 or Troy. But other than Homer’s Odysseyand Iliad, and my childhood memories of reading the Greek myths at bedtime, I had very few literary associations with the country.
Given the importance of Greek mythology and the Homerian epics to western civilization, it’s no surprise that these elements show up across much of modern Greek literature, too. Yet the path from the ancient Greeks to today’s authors was not a smooth one, as local and global wars disrupted everyday lives and the arts. After the World Wars and the Greek Civil War, many writers turned to poetry. Years later, Greece’s domestic writing community was dramatically impacted from 1967 to 1974, when a military junta controlled the country. Censorship was rampant, and many writers were exiled or otherwise punished or restricted. Since then, Greek writers have turned to both prose and poetry to tell their stories, often incorporating elements of loss or trauma from Greece’s long history.
When it comes to modern works, perhaps because Greece is such a dreamy travel destination, the country, and especially the islands, often serve as settings for contemporary fiction by foreign authors. While I’ve included a handful of these in today’s list, I’ve also sought to identify works of fiction by Greek authors available in translation. And as you’ll read in the book list below, many of my chosen titles feature retellings or stories inspired by the myths and legends that have shaped Greece’s long history.
I had two bookstores on my to-visit list while in Greece: the charming Selefais on the island of Syros, which had a small but impressive English language collection featuring local authors, and the famous Atlantis books on Santorini, which I did not end up visiting since a swarm of earthquakes kept us from making it to that island after all. A reason to return? Yes, please.
Whether you’ve been to Greece yourself or only dreamed of it as a destination, I hope you’ll find a story to inspire you in today’s collection. Please let me know other titles I’ve missed or might want to add to my to-be-read list, too, by leaving a comment below!
Literary Tourism: Greece
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Miller’s sophomore novel explores the life of Circe, expanding her narrative beyond the few pages in Homer’s Odyssey. In this beautifully crafted novel, we follow Circe after she is banished to a deserted island, where she grows into her skills and power and comes to terms with her place in a world surrounded by gods, mortals, heroes, and titans. I read this upon its release and anxiously look forward to Miller’s next book: she’s shared it will be a story of Hades and Persephone and I cannot wait to see what she does with those characters. Content warnings apply. More info →
We all know the story of Achilles and the conquest of Troy, but what else happened during the famous siege and battle? Barker’s novel brings us the perspective of Achilles’ prisoner Briseis, and through her, all of the women held captive in the Greek war camp. I enjoyed this story not only for featuring a woman’s perspective but for its grounding in the everyday roles and work that made the engine of conquest possible, from concubines to the women who prepared the dead for burial. Content warnings apply. More info →
Another novel featuring a fresh perspective on a classic myth, Saint’s novel explores the tale of Ariadne, Theseus, and the Minotaur. Growing up on Crete, Ariadne lives the life of a princess until she is promised in marriage to a rough man she does not love. When Theseus comes to Crete alongside the annual tributes given to the Minotaur, Ariadne sees an opportunity to escape. The author has since written additional retellings about famous Greek heroines, which I’ve added to my TBR. More info →
I have a large Elif Shafak-shaped hole in my reading life, and this novel is high on my to-be-read list. Described by the publisher as “A rich, magical new novel on belonging and identity, love and trauma, nature and renewal,” it follows two teenagers who develop a forbidden love: one is a Greek Cypriot and the other Turkish. While Cyprus is not technically part of Greece, it’s been influenced by years of Greek culture and residence. Decades later, a special tree serves as the sole connection between London resident Ada Kazantzakis and her family’s lost history. Shafak’s unique storytelling lens is on display here, as alternating chapters are narrated by a fig tree. I look forward to immersing myself in this creative work of literary fiction in the near future! More info →
Many of us know the story of Agamemnon and his death at the hands of his Queen Clytemnestra. This story flips the perspective and tells Cyltemnestra’s story from her own perspective. With appearances from well-known Greek legends like Odysseus and Helen, this was a vibrant reimagining that was hard to put down. I read this alongside our travels to ancient Mycenae, where Agamemnon reigned, and the descriptions of the palace and surroundings made for an especially evocative experience. Content warnings apply. More info →
This novel featuring a chorus of four narrators—each a woman working on a remote archaeological dig in Greece—was a delight! Each woman is struggling with her own personal and professional drama; meanwhile, something’s amiss on the dig itself. Can they work together and overcome their differences to discover something truly unexpected? I loved finding out and I bet you will, too. Thanks to fellow Modern Mrs Darcy team member Brigid for recommending this title to me! More info →
A locked room mystery with an unreliable narrator, this story follows movie star Lana Farrar and a group of her friends (and frenemies) during their spring escape to a private Greek island. Long-buried secrets and resentments come to light and culminate in a murder. I loved it for the setting and capturing the intense winds of the Cyclades islands, but the characters and story format weren’t my favorites; it's told circuitously and some of the twists were a bit much for my tastes. Content warnings apply. More info →
This slim memoir from Daniel Klein follows the author on a trip to the Greek island of Hydra, where he immerses himself in the local culture in hopes of discovering the secrets of aging happily. Infused throughout with quotes and reflections from Greek philosophers and his island neighbors, Klein reflects on the simple pleasures available to those who have earned them through time and wisdom. I found this in the slim English-language section of a small Greek bookstore, and found it inspiring and reflective. I can see myself gifting this to several readers in my life. More info →
Widely considered a modern Greek classic, this novel follows Marina as she flees her troubled childhood home on the arm of a Greek sea-captain, accompanying him to the Greek island of Syros. She falls in love with her new home but not all is smooth sailing: when tragedy strikes her husband’s shipping business, she must grapple with major losses and changes to her comfortable life. Athenian author Karagatsis was part of the “Generation of the ’30’s,” considered innovators in the Greek arts. This novel is a departure from my usual reading selections, but when I saw it on the English-language shelf of a charming bookstore on the island of Syros—where this novel is set—I had to bring it home with me. I found the story emotional, resonant, and ultimately a satisfying reading experience. Content warnings apply. More info →
When researching the books I might want to read to prepare for my trip to Greece, I came upon this novel that delves into the folklore, archeology, myths, and culture of Crete and added it to my TBR immediately. Weaving stories of occupation and invasion, self-discovery, and the locals, I’m eager to read this alongside Ariadne and compare more modern perspectives against the mythological history of this iconic island. As the Greek National Tourist Organization said of this book: “Labyrinthine Ways presents Crete at its best; read this book before visiting our island.” More info →
Set on the Greek island of Corfu, this multigenerational story follows best friends Marco and Katerina. Separated as children when World War II comes to their island, they vow to make it back home to each other. Over the course of sixty years, their lives take them each on different paths, colored by Greek mythology, the landscapes of Corfu, and the Greek Civil War. I really enjoyed learning about a part of Greek history that was new to me, along with the infusions of folklore and mythology throughout. Content warnings apply. More info →
The island of Santorini evokes visions of Greece, with its dramatic views and whitewashed buildings, and this YA novel takes you there. Liv travels to Santorini at the invitation of her estranged father. While they attempt to rebuild their relationship, Liv explores a budding romance. A story of self-discovery and young romance, I enjoyed the plot elements featuring the lost island of Atlantis. My own travels to Santorini were cancelled due to this past winter’s earthquake swarm, so for now I’ll just need to enjoy the destination on the page! More info →
After a lengthy travel hiatus following a road accident in Sri Lanka, Sally Jane Smith ventures to Greece in an attempt to rediscover her wandering spirit. Guided by her mother’s 1978 travel diary, she explores Athens, the Peloponnese Peninsula, and several Greek Islands. I appreciated her perspective of traveling as a middle-aged woman on a budget. While several of her destinations overlapped with my own, others didn’t make it into my itinerary, and I enjoyed reading her experiences of both. Travel memoirs can be hit or miss, but I really enjoyed this one, which was also awarded First Prize (Prose in English) in the 2024 Greek-Australian Cultural League Book Awards. A sequel, published in 2024, chronicles her visits to additional destinations across Greece. More info →
Who is behind the disappearance of journalist Nikoletta Elia on the island of Naxos? That’s the opening question for this mystery in a popular series featuring Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis. As the story unfolds, Kaldis is dispatched to Naxos after an unidentified body is found, and secrets begin to be uncovered. Naxos, one of the larger Greek islands, grapples with the tense relationship between tourism and the traditional agrarian lifestyle, and centers the beautiful setting of Naxos itself. I picked up this book not realizing it was book 11 in the series, simply because Naxos was one of the islands we visited. While I didn’t intend to start in the middle of the series, I still enjoyed the story. More info →
What are your favorite books set in Greece? Please share in the comments.
Holly Wielkoszewski is our What Should I Read Next Media Production Specialist. Her go-to genres are Fantasy and Sci-Fi. You can follow Holly on her Substack: A Liminal Life.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières is a classic, and should definitely be on this list!
Holly Wielkoszewski says:
I haven’t yet read that one, Claire, but it’s definitely on my list now! Thanks for the recommendation.
Kerrie says:
I’d like to add the Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell to this list. The first in the series is My Family and Other Animals.
Holly Wielkoszewski says:
Oh fantastic, thank you Kerrie!
Heidi says:
Yes to Durrell’s books! They’ve got a really strong sense of place. The TV series adaptation is also charming.
Sue says:
Seconding this recommendation – the first book has been made into a movie (two different versions) by BBC as well as adapted into a more loosely-based TV series. But the book is the place to start : )
Laura says:
These are some of my all time favorites! So funny
Paula says:
Thanks for this list! Another suggestion to add is Fugitive Pieces, the award-winning novel by Canadian writer Anne Michaels. Much of the story takes place on the Greek island of Zakynthos.
Holly Wielkoszewski says:
I hadn’t heard of this one, Paula. Thanks for the suggestion!
CHRIS Coccia says:
I looked this up and it doesn’t look to be a book about Greece?
Arleen says:
Completely agree with Claire—Captain Corelli’s Mandolin has to make the list
Wendy Groves says:
Mary Stewart had several novels set in Greece: This Rough Magic, Moonspinners, My Brother Michael. Loved them all.
Holly Wielkoszewski says:
Thanks, Wendy. I have This Rough Magic on my TBR already and will add the others you’ve suggested, too.
Kerry says:
I highly recommend the Mary Stewart books. I love her lyrical descriptions of the landscape. There is a wonderful sense of place in all three books, and each of them is set in a different part of Greece.
I also just came back from Greece. I read two excellent historical fiction novels and one mystery ahead of the trip: 1) The Island by Victoria Hislop, set on Crete 2) Daughter of Ruins (just out last fall) set on the Island of Cephalonia, by Yvette Manessis Corporon. And 3) just out is A Death on Corfu – by Emily Sullivan. I loved this cozy mystery that feels like an offshoot of the Corfu Trilogy. My family had a wonderful trip and I highly recommend the Island of Paros!! Beautiful and slightly off the beaten path.
Holly Wielkoszewski says:
Shayne, we made a last minute detour to Paros when we were unable to visit Santorini due to the earthquakes. I can see how it would be a beautiful spot, but it was VERY closed during our stay there. Not even a Souvlaki shop to be found! So glad you had a nice stay there and thank you for these additional reading recommendations.
Holly – We were there in mid-april (my daughter was studying abroad in Thessaloniki and we were picking her up). I totally understand –
they were just opening the village of Naoussa (painting, cleaning, stocking the shores) but we were able to enjoy. Its definitely a seasonal location.
Kate says:
Most of Sue Monk Kidd’s memoir “Traveling with Pomegranates” takes place in Greece. She tells of a trip to Greece with her daughter and delves into their relationship (using the Demeter and Persephone story), motherhood, and aging with delightful descriptions of the sacred sites they visit. She also writes about her inspiration for her novel “The Secret Life of Bees”. I’ve read this memoir several times and will read it many more.
Holly Wielkoszewski says:
Oh, I’ve not read that and it sounds fantastic. Thank you!
Allison Gaskins says:
I agree Kate! This is one of my favorite memoirs.
GB says:
I’ll have to add these to my TBR list! I’m first-generation Greek American and I’d love to read more literature related to Greece. I recommend “The Green Shore” by Natalie Bakopoulos, which takes place during the military junta of 1967-1974.
Holly Wielkoszewski says:
Thanks for this suggestion, GB! I hope some of the titles on this list work well for you.
Janet says:
I tried to find Labyrinthine Ways on my library website, no luck. Amazon link only shows a paperback for $50. Did anyone else have problems finding a copy? It looks really interesting.
In the meantime, will put some of the other titles on my library holds list. Thanks for the ideas!
Wendy Barker says:
The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon is set in Greece during the time of Aristotle and Alexander the Great. The writing is superb.
Dona Scott says:
I went to Crete last fall and read The Island by Victoria Hislop which is about the Island Spinalonga which was a leper’s colony. It is based in a true story and is very good. I highly recommend it. We could not visit the island but could see it.
Michelle says:
Got a suggestion for Portugal??
Anne Bogel says:
Two Days in Lisbon!
Avigail says:
The Book Spy by Alan Hald it is set in Portugal during WWII. There is also, The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler set in 1506 (I haven’t read it yet in my long TBR), from the synopsis, it is a murder mystery like Dan Brown’s books.
Sue says:
In getting ready for a trip to Greece a few years ago, I found The Greek Detective series, by Anne Zouroudi, to be really interesting. There are 8 in the series, and the first one is titled _The Messenger of Athens_.
Also read _Dinner with Persephone:Travels in Greece_, by Patricia Storace – a memoir about her living in Greece for a year. It’s a bit longer than a most current travel memoirs, and some things are dated because it was written in 1996, but the description of her many trips through Greece and learning about common Greek beliefs (almost every house has a dream interpretation book, that is consulted on the regular) and the ebb and flow of Greek life made it worth the longer read.
AmyM says:
I’d definitely add My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart. This mystery, written in 1960, captures Post WWII Greece in ways that left vivid pictures in my mind.
I also read Dinner with Persephone by Patricia Storace in college, and enjoyed it. I had read some of the classical writers, but had little exposure to modern Greek culture, and that book intrigued me.
Avigail says:
As a Greek, I am happy you enjoyed your visit to Greece. Greece is beautiful, and its islands are magical, but there is much more to see and secrets to discover on the mainland. As for books, many books weren’t discovered, like the well-known author Nikos Kazantzakis with the Greek Zorba (it is not only a movie with Anthony Quinn); Kazantzakis has many books translated into many languages, including English. Lena Manta is another Greek author who translated two of her works into English. Her works are The Gold Letter (I haven’t read it yet) and The House by the River ( I have read it in Greek and enjoyed it very much). Greece has the Nobel Literature Prize. Giorgos (George) Seferis won the prize in 1963, and Odysseus Elyttis won in 1979. Their poems, books, and works can be found on Amazon.
Victoria Hislop is another British author whose books are often set in Greece. I recommend The Island, set in Crete, and The Lepracy Colony, set on the small island of Spinaloga. Her other book is The Thread, set during WWII in Thessaloniki.
Sorry for my long message and if its tone is a little harsh. I understand that Greece is a tourist destination because of the islands, but if you like Greek mythology, most of the stories and cities can be found on the mainland, which has beautiful beaches as well.
Holly Wielkoszewski says:
Hello Avigail, thanks so much for sharing these titles! We were fortunate to spend a chunk of time on the Peloponnese as well and it was beautiful. Thank you for the recommendations you’ve shared. Many of these are on my to-be-read list and I look forward to enjoying them.
Katie says:
Great list! I just got back from Greece today and was so excited to see this! 2 that I would add are: Zorba the Greek and “The Durrells” series
Perfect timing! We are going to Greece for the first time in August and I have been looking for books to read in preparation. So many great choices here! I also found Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes, all about the women of Greek myth, and why they seemed to get such a bad rap. Definitely added several from your list and the comments. Thanks, Holly!! ~Rawles
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34 comments
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières is a classic, and should definitely be on this list!
I haven’t yet read that one, Claire, but it’s definitely on my list now! Thanks for the recommendation.
I’d like to add the Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell to this list. The first in the series is My Family and Other Animals.
Oh fantastic, thank you Kerrie!
Yes to Durrell’s books! They’ve got a really strong sense of place. The TV series adaptation is also charming.
Seconding this recommendation – the first book has been made into a movie (two different versions) by BBC as well as adapted into a more loosely-based TV series. But the book is the place to start : )
These are some of my all time favorites! So funny
Thanks for this list! Another suggestion to add is Fugitive Pieces, the award-winning novel by Canadian writer Anne Michaels. Much of the story takes place on the Greek island of Zakynthos.
I hadn’t heard of this one, Paula. Thanks for the suggestion!
I looked this up and it doesn’t look to be a book about Greece?
Completely agree with Claire—Captain Corelli’s Mandolin has to make the list
Mary Stewart had several novels set in Greece: This Rough Magic, Moonspinners, My Brother Michael. Loved them all.
Thanks, Wendy. I have This Rough Magic on my TBR already and will add the others you’ve suggested, too.
I highly recommend the Mary Stewart books. I love her lyrical descriptions of the landscape. There is a wonderful sense of place in all three books, and each of them is set in a different part of Greece.
I also just came back from Greece. I read two excellent historical fiction novels and one mystery ahead of the trip: 1) The Island by Victoria Hislop, set on Crete 2) Daughter of Ruins (just out last fall) set on the Island of Cephalonia, by Yvette Manessis Corporon. And 3) just out is A Death on Corfu – by Emily Sullivan. I loved this cozy mystery that feels like an offshoot of the Corfu Trilogy. My family had a wonderful trip and I highly recommend the Island of Paros!! Beautiful and slightly off the beaten path.
Shayne, we made a last minute detour to Paros when we were unable to visit Santorini due to the earthquakes. I can see how it would be a beautiful spot, but it was VERY closed during our stay there. Not even a Souvlaki shop to be found! So glad you had a nice stay there and thank you for these additional reading recommendations.
Holly – We were there in mid-april (my daughter was studying abroad in Thessaloniki and we were picking her up). I totally understand –
they were just opening the village of Naoussa (painting, cleaning, stocking the shores) but we were able to enjoy. Its definitely a seasonal location.
Most of Sue Monk Kidd’s memoir “Traveling with Pomegranates” takes place in Greece. She tells of a trip to Greece with her daughter and delves into their relationship (using the Demeter and Persephone story), motherhood, and aging with delightful descriptions of the sacred sites they visit. She also writes about her inspiration for her novel “The Secret Life of Bees”. I’ve read this memoir several times and will read it many more.
Oh, I’ve not read that and it sounds fantastic. Thank you!
I agree Kate! This is one of my favorite memoirs.
I’ll have to add these to my TBR list! I’m first-generation Greek American and I’d love to read more literature related to Greece. I recommend “The Green Shore” by Natalie Bakopoulos, which takes place during the military junta of 1967-1974.
Thanks for this suggestion, GB! I hope some of the titles on this list work well for you.
I tried to find Labyrinthine Ways on my library website, no luck. Amazon link only shows a paperback for $50. Did anyone else have problems finding a copy? It looks really interesting.
In the meantime, will put some of the other titles on my library holds list. Thanks for the ideas!
The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon is set in Greece during the time of Aristotle and Alexander the Great. The writing is superb.
I went to Crete last fall and read The Island by Victoria Hislop which is about the Island Spinalonga which was a leper’s colony. It is based in a true story and is very good. I highly recommend it. We could not visit the island but could see it.
Got a suggestion for Portugal??
Two Days in Lisbon!
The Book Spy by Alan Hald it is set in Portugal during WWII. There is also, The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler set in 1506 (I haven’t read it yet in my long TBR), from the synopsis, it is a murder mystery like Dan Brown’s books.
In getting ready for a trip to Greece a few years ago, I found The Greek Detective series, by Anne Zouroudi, to be really interesting. There are 8 in the series, and the first one is titled _The Messenger of Athens_.
Also read _Dinner with Persephone:Travels in Greece_, by Patricia Storace – a memoir about her living in Greece for a year. It’s a bit longer than a most current travel memoirs, and some things are dated because it was written in 1996, but the description of her many trips through Greece and learning about common Greek beliefs (almost every house has a dream interpretation book, that is consulted on the regular) and the ebb and flow of Greek life made it worth the longer read.
I’d definitely add My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart. This mystery, written in 1960, captures Post WWII Greece in ways that left vivid pictures in my mind.
I also read Dinner with Persephone by Patricia Storace in college, and enjoyed it. I had read some of the classical writers, but had little exposure to modern Greek culture, and that book intrigued me.
As a Greek, I am happy you enjoyed your visit to Greece. Greece is beautiful, and its islands are magical, but there is much more to see and secrets to discover on the mainland. As for books, many books weren’t discovered, like the well-known author Nikos Kazantzakis with the Greek Zorba (it is not only a movie with Anthony Quinn); Kazantzakis has many books translated into many languages, including English. Lena Manta is another Greek author who translated two of her works into English. Her works are The Gold Letter (I haven’t read it yet) and The House by the River ( I have read it in Greek and enjoyed it very much). Greece has the Nobel Literature Prize. Giorgos (George) Seferis won the prize in 1963, and Odysseus Elyttis won in 1979. Their poems, books, and works can be found on Amazon.
Victoria Hislop is another British author whose books are often set in Greece. I recommend The Island, set in Crete, and The Lepracy Colony, set on the small island of Spinaloga. Her other book is The Thread, set during WWII in Thessaloniki.
Sorry for my long message and if its tone is a little harsh. I understand that Greece is a tourist destination because of the islands, but if you like Greek mythology, most of the stories and cities can be found on the mainland, which has beautiful beaches as well.
Hello Avigail, thanks so much for sharing these titles! We were fortunate to spend a chunk of time on the Peloponnese as well and it was beautiful. Thank you for the recommendations you’ve shared. Many of these are on my to-be-read list and I look forward to enjoying them.
Great list! I just got back from Greece today and was so excited to see this! 2 that I would add are: Zorba the Greek and “The Durrells” series
Perfect timing! We are going to Greece for the first time in August and I have been looking for books to read in preparation. So many great choices here! I also found Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes, all about the women of Greek myth, and why they seemed to get such a bad rap. Definitely added several from your list and the comments. Thanks, Holly!! ~Rawles
Comments are closed.