The Greeks Have a Word for It

by Barry Unsworth

When two men disembark from the same boat in Greece, their lives accidentally and frighteningly intersect.

Kennedy, an opportunist, orchestrates a scam that will have some intended and some thoroughly unintended consequences. For Mitsos, an unresolved family tragedy awakens again, along with his need to avenge his parents' deaths. With utterly convincing characterizations, Barry Unsworth brings us the underbelly of the forge of Western civilization.

Genres: Greece, Fiction

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Barry Unsworth was an English writer known for his historical fiction. He published 17 novels, and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize three times, winning once for the 1992 novel Sacred Hunger.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review stands to be the best. I say that only because all the others are about a different Unsworth book. Computer glitch I suppose.

When I am done with this book, I hope to know two things: first, what "it" is, and second, what the Greeks call it.

[Vasilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rest of the reviews are about a different book, so I'm not sure why they're appearing here.

This could have been a brilliant book, but Unsworth didn't know how to fit all the pieces together. Kennedy's story is more successful than Mitsos', because it was about how petty human weaknesses lead to tragedy and didn't rely on overblown drama. It felt more real. Mitsos as a character seemed unclear, like he wasn't fully fleshed out and didn't exist for any reason other than to serve the final scene.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters in a very funny darkish comedy. This book should be better known!

[Ella Denton · Rating 2 out of 5]

not really sure what the point of this book was. well written - i assume none of the characters were supposed to be likeable, and if so, the author did a good job. not particularly impactful, though

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike my partner, I virtually never read the blurb on the back of books. With this whodunnit it might have helped add an element of suspense that was otherwise missing from a diverting drift around the Aegean.

Unsworth is proving a favourite at the moment and while this was probably my least favourite so far, it was still enjoyable enough. He has a facility with metaphors (often about effects of light and optics), which add shafts of beauty into the drama that also maintains a tautness of mutual regard between characters. Each person is allowed empathy even when it may conflict and I find Unsworth's books emotionally satisfying.

I have to admit that after the homoerotic themes in 'The Partnership', I had assumed that the title may have been a nod and a wink in the same direction. Not so. That's what I get for never reading the cover...

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two men travel to Greece - their pathes intersect, eventually ending in tragedy though not in the way I expected. Kennedy, the English man, one of several with mysterious pasts falls victim to the Greek man, Mitsos. I thought it would end in the reverse.
This story is based on a greek story I have not read before. It's quite good. Each character has a deep underside. Crisp writing. I look forward to reading more of this author, and hope to read the underlying story.

[Karren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a slow moving novel about an English grifter who shows up in Athens wanting a job. He makes himself available to teach English but he isn't trained and he isn't ethical. In his own way, he is however charming. While Unsworth follows his main character Kennedy, he weaves in the story of a Greek man who was traumatically orphaned during WWII. The story of Mitsos adds an element of intrigue and danger. His story is what kept me reading to the last page.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful.