Report to Greco

By: Nikos Kazantzakis

Narrated by: Joshua Saxon

Disarmingly personal and intensely philosophical, Report to Greco is a fictionalized account of Greek philosopher and writer Nikos Kazantzakis’ own life, a sort of intellectual autobiography that leads listeners through his wide-ranging observations on everything from the Hegelian dialectic to the nature of human existence, all framed as a report to the Spanish Renaissance painter El Greco. The assuredness of Kazantzakis’s prose and the nimbleness of his thinking as he grapples with life’s essential questions - who are we, and how should we be in the world? - will inspire awe and more than a little reflection from listeners seeking to answer these questions for themselves.

©1965, 2012 Niki Stavrou (P)2021 David N. Wilson

Profoundly beautiful

Beyond being a work of art, this is the kind of book that makes you feel glad you are alive, due o its fearfully raw honesty and beauty. It changes one´s perspective on life, encompassing the cry of the world inside its chapters and carefully crafted words. For what would be the point of beauty if it is to leave the suffering of the world on the background? This is the only way to write without being irresponsible and deaf to the human cry.
The reading by Joshua Saxon makes the book comes to life with high depth and intensity, although I recommend following with the written word (Kindle), and pausing from time to time to let it all sink in.

‘I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.’

Spirituality written in an engaging prose style and flush with the magic of Greece along with dabbles of philosophy in areas like Buddhism, Communism, Christianity, Nietzche, etc.  Like many of Nikos Kazantzakis it’s a fictionalized autobiography with strong elements of philosophy.  To inquiry into our search for meaning as a personal odyssey that enriches humanity as we find courage in taking responsibility for our lives.  The writing is emotional and feels authentic in addition to the depth and existential value.  Narration Joshua Saxton is again a great fit for this sort of content.