2014 READERS' PRIZE of PUBLIC BOOKSTORES (GREECE) Alki Zei, the "grande dame" of Greek literature, narrates the story of the years of her youth, between 1925 and 1945, which determined her future path. In her exciting narration, a whole era revives, animated by the presence of famous Greek personalities of the arts and literature. In addition to being a memoir, Alki Zei's biographical narrative reveals remarkable examples of human behaviour in a completely unpretentious manner. "Now it was the summer, the marble kitchen table was warm, and I was finally a Writer. I missed Thodora though. 'Not now, come back later on. She's working!' Work? I was simply revelling in it. Sometimes I'd hear a discreet knocking at the kitchen door: it was Miranda - Mrs Triantaphyllou - who'd been to see our play at the puppet theatre with Mummy. She knew I was in here working, and she'd bring me a glass of chilled lemon juice made with real lemons and real sugar. Even Lady couldn't possibly be getting real lemon juice to drink, I mused wryly." ""I needed a good memory and much love in order to write the story of my life. In a novel, you can say whatever you imagine, you can move your heroes as you like, you can make them say whatever you think. But when the persons are real, you are not allowed to make the smallest mistake, especially when there is no longer anybody there to agree with or contradict you. Fortunately enough, there is my sister, whose memory is infallible and her life is entangled with mine. As soon as she read my book she said: 'That's how we lived, that's how those we met and loved were'. And I asked her: 'Now that you recalled our story, would you have preferred to have lived another life?' 'Absolutely not!' she replied spontaneously. 'Absolutely not!' I also added."" Alki Zei ""With a Faber Number Two Pencil is a book that every book lover wants to have in his library. It is a spiritual gem of today's publishing production."" "Argyro Mountaki, fractalart.gr, 2013" ""Those who read Alki Zei when they were children, always carry her stories with them."" "Eleni Korovila, bookpress.gr, 2013" With a Faber Number Two Pencil, Achilles' Fiancee and Wildcat under Glass form a sort of trilogy in which 50 years of Greek history is covered by Alki Zei's exquisite and distinguished narrative.
Author
One could say that our outstanding author Alki Zei (Greek: Άλκη Ζέη) has raised with her books lots of children, apart from bringing up two of her own. Today’s children in Greece have additionally the chance to know her work in their textbooks where her novels have been anthologized. Among the various national and international distinctions she has obtained for her work, the greatest recognition comes from the readers, who read passionately her books and place them in the top of the best seller lists. But what makes Alki Zei’s work really significant is the impression it evokes out of Greece. Her books have often been awarded abroad: Mildred Batchelder in the U.S.A. for Wildcat under glass, Petros’ war and The sound of the dragon’s feet, Acerbi Prize in Italy for Achille’s fiancée, Bookworms prize in France for Tina’s web. Above all Wildcat under glass which has marked contemporary Greek juvenile literature since it was first published in 1963. Through various trans-national republications, cataloguing for school study and frequent awards, it is considered to be one of the best books for children worldwide according to librarians, literary critics and teachers. Alki Zei is therefore a precious asset for Greek contemporary literature. She may mainly write for children but she equally addresses to adults. Within the stories of her books she transforms her own experiences into novels, however always keeping enough distance from autobiography but allowing her heroes to view things through her own angle. As she belongs to a generation of people who have sacrificed their ambitions and private lives for the sake of collective dreams and fight for peace, freedom and democracy, having herself actively participated in Greece’s bitter historical moments of Resistance, persecutions and overthrows during and after World War II, she considers it her duty to record those important historical events so that younger generations know. But although her stories are set in really lived historical context, she is neither exhaustive in History account nor instructive towards readers. Her intention is to ensure awareness and give a chance for further questioning on a multitude of universal moral and social issues. Naturally, the greatest virtue of her books remains their exquisite literary value which derives from masterly expression, perfect plot and a subtle sense of humour, thus resulting to breathless reading.
