Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #320952 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 180 pages

Synopsis
Often surprising, sometimes bizarre, never dull. Roger Jinkinson takes us far off the tourist-beaten track to explore life - and death - in a small village on a remote Greek Island. Meet the people he has come to know over 25 years - at once traditional and modern, hard-bitten and generous, stoic and resourceful. Learn how they fish, keep bees, hunt goats, make music. Read about the man who tried to ransom a floating crane, about the mule that outwitted the German army and the death of a giant. Read and you will feel the very pulse of a community as it fights to maintain its unique and vibrant culture.

Customer Reviews

Life in a Greek Village
It is hard to move to another place and to become accepted and welcomed by that community. It is harder still to write about that place without seeming to be a mere observer or foreigner. Yet in this collection of stories the author has been able to capture the essence of a way of life that seems to have disappeared in many parts of Greece and in such a manner that it is clear that, as far as his fellow villagers are concerned, he is one of them. It is this acceptance and the author’s complete integration into village life that have given him the ability to produce this wonderfully clear understanding of the Greek character. A terrific book that no philhellene should be without.

Jinks repays some debts
Jink, or Zhinks, as Roger is known in Karpathos has done an fine job here. He conveys the idyllic side of life in Diafani/ Olymbos and its surroundings excellently without shirking or ignoring the harsher realities that pass the tourists by. The stories offer valuable insights into the way the islanders think and their feelings about their island and its traditions. It should be read by all who love Greece.
This leads to one of my two complaints. Too many people will now know about our little paradise and the grace that surrounds it. But, hey, we cannot be selfish. And a simple line map of the area showing a few names would be helpful for those coming to knowledge of Karpathos for the first time. But, well done, mate !! Look forward to volume two !!

Rogers Greek Island
Tales from a Greek Island.

This book is a fascinating reflection of the life and times of the people of a Greek island. The author obviously has a deep knowledge and understanding of these people and has written with respect and sensitivity about the island community, an island which is shown to be proud of it’s heritage and traditions . The emotions felt by the islanders, who have seen such an amazing history over the centuries, are brought to life in an amusing and highly readable anecdotal format. Always seeing the humorous side of life in the tales of fishing expeditions, exploits in the Taverna and visitors to the island there is still room for more poignant stories from local lore which are described so well.
Here is a delight for those of us who have already had the pleasure of visiting some Greek islands and it should be an essential read for those who have not yet had this privilege.