Zorba the Greek

By: Nikos Kazantzakis

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

A wonderful tale of a young man’s coming of age, Zorba the Greek has been a classic of world literature since it was first translated into English in 1952 and made into an unforgettable movie with Anthony Quinn. Zorba, an irrepressible, earthy hedonist, sweeps his young disciple along as he wines, dines, and loves his way through a life dedicated to fulfilling his copious appetites. Zorba is irresistible in this charming audio production by veteran narrator George Guidall.

©1961 Faber and Faber Limited (P)1996 Recorded Books, LLC

One of the best books I've come across in a while

Not only is this a quaint and often times amusing story, but offers to teach us a thing or few about our own nature. I'm glad I took the suggestion. I'll definitely be reading this one again.

A Guide on How To Live

If you have ever struggled to escape the straight jacket of reason, study the example of Zorba the Greek. Courageous, bold, and shrewd, Zorba mastered the art of living passionately without being ruled by his passions.

The sympathetic reader will give Zorba his due when he claimed at the end of his life that men like him should live a thousand years.

George Guidall gives a masterly narration of this classic tale.

inspiring and moving

I loved the book! It definitely gives its reader this "other point of view " , this wisdom of the years. One can meet new cultures, traditions, prejudices and religions in this small magnificent work!

Stoic writing

exquisite performance, the story really gets a hold on you. Stoicism it's very palpable on the writing.

Could be the best story I ever read

Masterfully presented, deep, profound and very entertaining. A true work of art and one you will take with you for the rest of your days

Perhaps the only book a man needs to read

This masterpiece summarizes some of the deepest and everlasting philosophical thoughts and questions, in a very amusing way; an epicurean stoic, nihilism of Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Khayyam of Persia, ….
The virtuosity of the acclaimed narrator does amplify the joy of listening to this everlasting masterpiece, Zorba the Greek.

Fantastic Performance of a Classic

The story and it’s amazing performance in this audiobook left an impression of perfection. The tones, pacing, delivery, and of course, beautifully written material combined for an unforgettable experience. Worth every minute, enjoy.

THE FINEST HOUR

I’m only an hour into this book (the story line of which is old hat) but I’m at this stage already prepared to proclaim without fear of being gainsaid that as compared to any of my hundreds of Audible listens (or for that matter any other audiobook) George Guidall ‘s narration Of “Zorba the Greek” is by far the most exciting, spell-bounding, breath-taking, electrifying, engrossing and emotionally original and honest. His voice's overlapping and oscillating with great ease and smoothness from the speech of one character to that of another is like trying to figure out what melody begins and ends where or when in a contrapuntal Bach tune.

Awesome performance/reading, and writing

I really enjoyed this story. The reading was remarkable and made Zorba come alive. I’m disappointed that the performance is over. So many things to think about. This book is a commitment but well worth it.

Intellect vs. Aphrodite.

Some may conceive of this marvellous work as an in-depth study of the narrator's navel, but an unrepentant heathen like me see as its main theme the clash between the ancient but living man as Zobra amply personifies and the vapid and utilitarian existence of the narrator. The subdued figures of the lovely widow and Madame Hortense are symbolic of the glorious Aphrodite in her many manifestation.

Her devotees like Zobra, though unlettered are fully aware of the beauty in every aspect of living, its magical poetry, and real generosity. He is far from the clownish Zobra of the film whose gallivantings filled me with disgust. You may paint him in harsh colours, but not on the screen or stage.

Modernisation comes as a tradesman, the scholarly narrator. He is a member of the hoard that now swamps this once beautiful world as a cloud of suited locusts be he a street hawker or a peddlar of shares. In that raving new world, man is merely an ant secure in its ant-hill chock-full of ludicrous rights, enjoying the secure greyness of its life.

Recall their visit to the monastery a hive of unnatural living pandering to some putative after-life, ugh! A monk toys with a figurine of Aphrodite, but he is merely interested in something valuable it hides. The abysmal fool cannot grasp that what is priceless is what it symbolises. What a difference between the priesthood of yore that venerated beauty, and the modern rascals who abhor it at least in public.

The twain shall not meet. Contrast Zobra's virile reaction when the locals are about to murder the widow and the pathetic impotence of the narrator to it. Zobra admired her in an abstract way while the narrator had made love to her. The ant in him can feed, but can hardly feel for what it had fed on. In short, a modern man and an intellectual to boot!

The symbolic collapse of the 'project' hastens Zobra's parting from the narrator. In the latter's mind, it is something abstract to be remembered with perhaps a tinge of pleasure, but mostly for subsequent study and analysis. Father Zeus protect us from such folly!

So, a right to happiness decided by vote, by thunder, can only kill the very possibility of it. The modern way leads to a blind end, while the ancient path may not always lead to it, but as close to it as we could hope. It may not be much, but it is a hell of a lot better than being an ant.