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The Eagle of Spinalonga: Some people were born to soar, no matter what.
The tragic but inspiring story of Nikos. He is twenty two years old, handsome, clever and just graduated law school when he finds out he has leprosy. He is sent into exile to Spinalonga, a rock island of Crete where there is no food, no electricity, no medical help, no supplies, nothing. He catches an eagle as a unique way to source food then, armed with his education and natural instincts he decides to create a life of dignity for the inhabitants of Spinalonga in the style of the city state system of Ancient Greece. Pavlos a thug criminal sent there by the state from prison does everything in his power to maintain chaos and terror so as to keep control of the island. World War 2 breaks out and the Nazis invade and inflict horrors upon the Greek people. Nikos and the people of Spinalonga outsmart the Nazis and play a major role in the resistance.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2012
65 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 6, 2015
Four years ago there was a really interesting Greek TV series about Spinalonga which I liked very much and when I saw the eagle of Spinalonga I had to see what this book was all about. Especially when the Author is Greek Australian like I am. I must say I was completely blown away and moved by this book! It is truly an epic, saga-like story that I could easily see being made into a feature full-length film. This story is really that good. The author has brilliantly created the settings throughout the story with his gifted wording and sense of imagery. You can literally picture the surroundings of each scene in your imagination as if you were watching it on TV. Nike Azoros has also done an amazing job of bringing her characters to life as well. Especially the main character Nikos. You can't help fall in love with him and feel like you are with him throughout his journey. I really felt for him and the burdens he is forced to deal with. I could write for hours as I sit here and write this review, but I'll just sum it up by saying that I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! If you like classics or epics that are of this genre, that I guarantee that you will love this book and be truly captivated by it as much as I was. I highly recommend to everyone!
October 31, 2024
A story told in parallel to Hislops ‘The Island’ an easy read with a thin plot, but nevertheless enjoyable.
However I’m no proofreader but the editing needs a review, far too many typographical errors, which were irksome.
However I’m no proofreader but the editing needs a review, far too many typographical errors, which were irksome.
January 9, 2014
A wonderfully inspiring story! I have been obsessed with Spinalonga since reading Victoria Hislop's 'The Island', and although Nike's book deals with the same terrible period of life in Crete, her story has a completely different angle to Hislop's. Well written, engaging and highly emotive, this is a great read.
November 1, 2019
Very moving story of real struggles and pulling together
This book was a very easy read as it tells the story of real people and the horrible way they were treated for an illness that because of ignorance wasnt understood but feared. The trials tribulations and the humour all telling the story of a very close community and the way the took on life after a death sentence and being ripped away from their homes and loved ones to live on a remote island in crete
A book i couldnt put down and having been to crete and planning on visiting this island next year to see the place i can only say that it was one of the nicest written books ive ever read
This book was a very easy read as it tells the story of real people and the horrible way they were treated for an illness that because of ignorance wasnt understood but feared. The trials tribulations and the humour all telling the story of a very close community and the way the took on life after a death sentence and being ripped away from their homes and loved ones to live on a remote island in crete
A book i couldnt put down and having been to crete and planning on visiting this island next year to see the place i can only say that it was one of the nicest written books ive ever read
November 16, 2022
I would encourage everyone to read this book. I wasn't sure whether a story about a colony for people suffering with leprosy, would be something that I could read and enjoy. This is a story that not only explains the horrors endured but also the friendships, loves and hopes of the residents. I loved the characters and their stories and found this a moving and memorable story. I read the book over a couple of days and it is a book that I will revisit.
April 24, 2018
Having visited Spinalonga I enjoyed this book especially as it is based on fact. There was a young lawyer, he did petition the Greek government for pensions and better living conditions; there was a cinema and piped music. The only things I didn't discover in my research was the eagle and the evil Pavlos. Maybe they did exist too. A good read.
April 15, 2019
Recommended by locals!
This is one of the most moving books I have ever read, an opinion shared by everyone I know who has read it. According to a tour guide on Spinalonga it gives a better picture of what happened on the island than any other book. From its startling opening to the last sentence it is a delight.
This is one of the most moving books I have ever read, an opinion shared by everyone I know who has read it. According to a tour guide on Spinalonga it gives a better picture of what happened on the island than any other book. From its startling opening to the last sentence it is a delight.
April 12, 2018
Leprosy
This is not the first book I have read an Spinalonga, I can't remember what the other book was called. Both books were very good. Good car come out of bad and sometimes people do get to live happy ever after.
This is not the first book I have read an Spinalonga, I can't remember what the other book was called. Both books were very good. Good car come out of bad and sometimes people do get to live happy ever after.
May 6, 2018
I really enjoyed this simply written piece about Spinalonga which I visited last September - no great complexity; just a straightforward recounting if he island’s colony time. Ignore the numerous typos and immerse in the bewildering tale.
October 15, 2018
A less romantic view of life on Spinalonga that Victoria Hislops the Island. Some of the specific sexual content, did not add to my enjoyment of the novel! A must read if you have visited or plan to visit the island.
September 29, 2017
Interesting novel with lots of historical detail. Much much better than Victoria Hislop's novel The Island
April 4, 2018
Beautiful Story
I laughed and I cried, it felt like I was there feeling the sadness and despair of the patients. Such a wonderful story. Can't wait to read more by this author.
I laughed and I cried, it felt like I was there feeling the sadness and despair of the patients. Such a wonderful story. Can't wait to read more by this author.
January 15, 2019
Fantastic read
Such an amazing true story made me laugh and cry,would recommend to anyone who is interested in Crete and the islands
Such an amazing true story made me laugh and cry,would recommend to anyone who is interested in Crete and the islands
November 10, 2023
Beautiful
April 2, 2025
This book is the true definition of don’t judge a book by its cover! I would rate this a 4.5/5. The history in this story is incredible!
April 1, 2016
A very engaging, heart touching ensemble of tales woven around the central character, Nikos. A young Greek man who has become afflicted with leprosy. Its in the early 1900s, and lepers were exiled to an island much like the Hawaiian lepers to Moloka'i and elsewhere in the world.
My interest was caught by this free kindle offering because one of my favorite books is about the Hawaiian leper colony by Alan Brennert, titled after the island.
This book is written very well and I was thoroughly entranced. The "accidental" forums that Nikos held on the island when others gathered to hear him reading his philosophy books to himself were a nice dip in the waters of Plato. I found the discussions heartening and motivating as well.
BUT. And its a big one.
I'm astounded at the incredible hatred the author possesses for the world's oldest profession. The way they are referred to on occasion is very jarring. There's a scene where two of the women discuss taking up their work again. Very fitting and appropriate to the story but then as the scene wraps up there is a derisive reference to them as "sluts". Not by another character but in the basic narration of the story! I had to re-read it several times to see if perhaps I missed the basis for it. Did not find one.
Future references of the characters always went hand in hand with describing them as fat and ugly with clear import that there was no redeeming value to them. Pavlos was treated better yet the author even acknowledges through Nikos' ruminations, that fewer of the women might have been raped by Pavlos had the services of prostitutes been a available.
If I had any doubt, the author erased them by taking the time in the final pages to have two characters stop and discuss them in a manner that was the eulogical equivalent of spitting in the coffin at a funeral. A scene that was completely unnecessary as any other minor characters would have served not to mention that the dialogue was very out of character & tone for the people speaking and for the community spirit they had worked for.
Again, the deplorable Pavlos.... he was a creature of evil. Why did the two women who enjoyed their work as prostitutes, giving pleasure to others deserve that kind of scathing treatment by even the narrative?
I reflected for a moment on all the women in the story and realized the author may have a Madonna/whore complex severe enough to bleed into his writing.
Should have been a five star book for the enjoying of a well crafted story factor only it was marred seriously by the incongruous slaps at prostitution.
My interest was caught by this free kindle offering because one of my favorite books is about the Hawaiian leper colony by Alan Brennert, titled after the island.
This book is written very well and I was thoroughly entranced. The "accidental" forums that Nikos held on the island when others gathered to hear him reading his philosophy books to himself were a nice dip in the waters of Plato. I found the discussions heartening and motivating as well.
BUT. And its a big one.
I'm astounded at the incredible hatred the author possesses for the world's oldest profession. The way they are referred to on occasion is very jarring. There's a scene where two of the women discuss taking up their work again. Very fitting and appropriate to the story but then as the scene wraps up there is a derisive reference to them as "sluts". Not by another character but in the basic narration of the story! I had to re-read it several times to see if perhaps I missed the basis for it. Did not find one.
Future references of the characters always went hand in hand with describing them as fat and ugly with clear import that there was no redeeming value to them. Pavlos was treated better yet the author even acknowledges through Nikos' ruminations, that fewer of the women might have been raped by Pavlos had the services of prostitutes been a available.
If I had any doubt, the author erased them by taking the time in the final pages to have two characters stop and discuss them in a manner that was the eulogical equivalent of spitting in the coffin at a funeral. A scene that was completely unnecessary as any other minor characters would have served not to mention that the dialogue was very out of character & tone for the people speaking and for the community spirit they had worked for.
Again, the deplorable Pavlos.... he was a creature of evil. Why did the two women who enjoyed their work as prostitutes, giving pleasure to others deserve that kind of scathing treatment by even the narrative?
I reflected for a moment on all the women in the story and realized the author may have a Madonna/whore complex severe enough to bleed into his writing.
Should have been a five star book for the enjoying of a well crafted story factor only it was marred seriously by the incongruous slaps at prostitution.
November 16, 2022
No stars.
A very weird book. It read like a translation which got poorer as I read on. In the end I gave up as it was so uncomfortable to read. It felt as though a schoolboy/schoolgirl with little knowledge of English had taken this translation on as jokey challenge.
A very weird book. It read like a translation which got poorer as I read on. In the end I gave up as it was so uncomfortable to read. It felt as though a schoolboy/schoolgirl with little knowledge of English had taken this translation on as jokey challenge.
September 8, 2016
The last years of Spinalonga as a leper colony.
Judging by other reviewer's ratings, this is a popular book, however, I did not feel it earned more than three stars. Firstly it needed a fair amount of editing to correct typos and give it more of a narrative feel, rather than 'this happened and then this happened...' Secondly, it contained continuity errors: a) the residents on the island were starving, yet there was a fat prostitute, b) Nikos manages to stay hidden on a small island with a huge eagle, yet the disruptive Pavos never finds him, never even appears to be wondering where he has gone for days on end, and finally, c) having made a big thing about the fact that letters could not be sent home in case of contagion, the message about the state of poverty and starvation on the island, is delivered by a series of letters.
The story is a fictional adaptation of events on the leper colony of Spinalonga in the years prior to the invasion of Greece by Germans in WWII. Nikos Lambrakis finds himself diagnosed with leprosy and is banished to the barren island, where his training as a lawyer stands him in good stead. He organises the residents into working groups and helps provide food with the help of a magnificent eagle that he catches and trains. Eventually in the late 1950s a cure is found and the residents gradually leave for treatment.
I Googled images of leprosy and it was a truly awful disease that must have been a fearful diagnosis for those who succumbed. It is sobering to realise that in spite of there being a cure, there are still people in third world countries who are isolated and shunned to suffer these disfigurements alone.
This story is very similar to the book called The Island by Victoria Hislop, which I personally thought was better written and rated 4 stars. Thankfully, The Island lacks the gratuitous sex that appeared far too frequently in The Eagle of Spinalonga and I was very surprised to learn that the author was a woman.
Judging by other reviewer's ratings, this is a popular book, however, I did not feel it earned more than three stars. Firstly it needed a fair amount of editing to correct typos and give it more of a narrative feel, rather than 'this happened and then this happened...' Secondly, it contained continuity errors: a) the residents on the island were starving, yet there was a fat prostitute, b) Nikos manages to stay hidden on a small island with a huge eagle, yet the disruptive Pavos never finds him, never even appears to be wondering where he has gone for days on end, and finally, c) having made a big thing about the fact that letters could not be sent home in case of contagion, the message about the state of poverty and starvation on the island, is delivered by a series of letters.
The story is a fictional adaptation of events on the leper colony of Spinalonga in the years prior to the invasion of Greece by Germans in WWII. Nikos Lambrakis finds himself diagnosed with leprosy and is banished to the barren island, where his training as a lawyer stands him in good stead. He organises the residents into working groups and helps provide food with the help of a magnificent eagle that he catches and trains. Eventually in the late 1950s a cure is found and the residents gradually leave for treatment.
I Googled images of leprosy and it was a truly awful disease that must have been a fearful diagnosis for those who succumbed. It is sobering to realise that in spite of there being a cure, there are still people in third world countries who are isolated and shunned to suffer these disfigurements alone.
This story is very similar to the book called The Island by Victoria Hislop, which I personally thought was better written and rated 4 stars. Thankfully, The Island lacks the gratuitous sex that appeared far too frequently in The Eagle of Spinalonga and I was very surprised to learn that the author was a woman.
November 9, 2014
A sad but triumphant and inspiring story of what one man can do to help others overcome adversity. An inspiring story about an exceptional man, Nikos, who helped bring about much needed changes in the lives of the lepers on the island of Spinalonga. This story was touching and tragic and emotional as the author weaves a fascinating story about the inhabitants of this colony of lepers. Some of the story is based on facts about the war when Germany tried to invade the island and use it for a base of operations but most of the story is from the author's creative imagination.
It was horrific to hear how these unfortunate people were treated as outcasts and declared dead to their families and friends as they were shipped over and dropped on the island to die. They were forgotten and abandoned by all until one day their lives changed forever by a courageous and brave young man, Nikos.
This was an unforgettable story that will grip the reader. There were some editing issues but these did not take away from the enjoyment of this emotional story.
It was horrific to hear how these unfortunate people were treated as outcasts and declared dead to their families and friends as they were shipped over and dropped on the island to die. They were forgotten and abandoned by all until one day their lives changed forever by a courageous and brave young man, Nikos.
This was an unforgettable story that will grip the reader. There were some editing issues but these did not take away from the enjoyment of this emotional story.
November 19, 2014
“The Eagle of Spinalonga” Is one of the newest e-books that represent real life events from the history. This Greek-based story will surely overcome your expectations of a solid and exciting book.
It all starts with the profile of Nikos Lambrakis who was given a funeral while still alive. From that point, the story envelops and keeps your focus straight at it. Combined with real life history events such as places, this e-book takes in amount many things from the history which is surely why it has such powerful effect among the readers.
“The Eagle of Spinalonga” is a story for each profile of the population. The powerful events that occur in the book are unforgettable to anyone’s experience in such stories. The whole story is a combination of a thriller, an adventure and a love story which makes it highly recommendable for different types of people looking for different genres, or maybe looking for more genres in a complete story like this one.
It all starts with the profile of Nikos Lambrakis who was given a funeral while still alive. From that point, the story envelops and keeps your focus straight at it. Combined with real life history events such as places, this e-book takes in amount many things from the history which is surely why it has such powerful effect among the readers.
“The Eagle of Spinalonga” is a story for each profile of the population. The powerful events that occur in the book are unforgettable to anyone’s experience in such stories. The whole story is a combination of a thriller, an adventure and a love story which makes it highly recommendable for different types of people looking for different genres, or maybe looking for more genres in a complete story like this one.
January 24, 2015
A story of triumph over adversity. Easy prose and written in a straight forward manner that enables one to read quickly. There are no plots to speak of, just one mans determination to get some sort of life for himself and others in the same predicament of having leprosy. Isolation from
the rest of society and the collapse of his aspirations does not deter him as he manages to gel the fragmented inhabitants of Spinalonga into a small, self sufficient and happy democracy.
the rest of society and the collapse of his aspirations does not deter him as he manages to gel the fragmented inhabitants of Spinalonga into a small, self sufficient and happy democracy.
September 27, 2016
Read this whilst on holiday in Crete.
I mostly enjoyed reading this book particularly as I was on holiday in Crete and did actually visit Spinalonga. I would recommend a visit to the island for everyone who visits Crete.
There were a few parts that I thought were rather gratuitous and unnecessary but they did not mar the story in its entirety.
I mostly enjoyed reading this book particularly as I was on holiday in Crete and did actually visit Spinalonga. I would recommend a visit to the island for everyone who visits Crete.
There were a few parts that I thought were rather gratuitous and unnecessary but they did not mar the story in its entirety.
February 6, 2015
I enjoyed the book so gave it 4 stars, but I found the plot, at times, little contrived. Everything seemed to fit together too neatly, which I felt detracted from the reality of the lepers situation.
April 13, 2013
Really enjoyed the journey that this story takes you on. You will never forget Spinalonga.
February 21, 2015
Loved this book.
August 8, 2015
An interesting and emotional story about the leprosy island, a good read showcasing some Greek history.
November 9, 2015
Think this was a bit slow at the start & I wasn't sure about it but it got much better as I went along and I became more interested in the characters & wanted to know what would happen to them.
October 10, 2016
If you visited the Spinalonga Island do not hesitate to read this book. Or if you didn't visited yet you can imagine a part of the history of the famous Leper Island.
October 23, 2016
Loved it
Fantastic story. Could not put it down but now I'm sad it's finished. Cannot recommend in highly enough. A definite MUST READ
Fantastic story. Could not put it down but now I'm sad it's finished. Cannot recommend in highly enough. A definite MUST READ
January 17, 2020
One in a lifetime
A really beautiful story, unique and believable. Definitely one I will treasure in my library, and read again. Thank you NIke.
A really beautiful story, unique and believable. Definitely one I will treasure in my library, and read again. Thank you NIke.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews