Nikos Kazantzakis (Greek Νίκος Καζαντζάκης February 18, 1883, Heraklion, Crete, Greece - October 26, 1957, Freiburg, Germany) was a Greek novelist, poet, playwright and thinker. Arguably the most important Greek prose writer and philosopher of the 20th century, he acquired wide fame after Michael Cacoyannis made his novel Zorba the Greek (Βίος και Πολιτεία του Αλέξη Ζορμπά) into a film in 1964. He is the most translated contemporary Greek author.

Biography

---

Kazantzakis was born in Heraklion, Crete, in 1883, at that time a small town still under Turkish rule, but under intense revolutionary fever, following the continuous uprisings of the Greek population to achieve independence from the Ottoman empire and to unite with Greece.

In 1902 he moved to Athens, Greece where he studied Law at the Athens University and then in 1907 to Paris to study Philosophy. There he studied under and was influenced by the teachings of Henri Bergson.

More on [ Nikos Kazantzakis ]

NPR Topics: Authors

Lowry Spins Mischievous Tale Of 'The Willoughbys'
Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:51:00 -0400
The Willoughbys is a wickedly wonderful story by award-winning writer Lois Lowry. The book tells the tale of a mother and father who want to be rid of their children, but whose kids also want to be rid of their parents.
Ambitions, Tragedy Collide In 'America America'
Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:24:00 -0400
After a seven-year absence, author Ethan Canin returns with America America, a novel that explores power and influence in politics past.
Celebrating The Fourth With Rebellion
Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:34:00 -0400
From the moment Huckleberry Finn sat on his raft and decided, "All right, then, I'll go to hell," great American books have featured people setting off on their own. Washington, D.C., writer, teacher and musician Will Layman offers three books about rebellion.
Welsh Awards Snafu Leaves Red Faces
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:41:00 -0400
Welsh Assembly Culture Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas has apologized for naming the wrong person winner of the Wales Book of the Year. He named Tom Bullough, who briefly thought he had won. Dannie Abse was the actual winner. Thomas apologized to both.
Who Wrote Shakespeare's Plays? Debate Goes On
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:01:00 -0400
Centuries later, doubts persist that William Shakespeare penned the works that bear his name. Skeptics include not only scholars but also famous folks, ranging from Orson Welles to Mark Twain.
'Netherland' Flirts With Greatness Of 'Gatsby'
Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:53:00 -0400
With plenty of nods to The Great Gatsby Joseph O'Neill's Netherland explores dreams and ambition in post-Sept. 11 New York City. Maureen Corrigan calls the novel "marvelous."

Subscribe to Authors RSS feed