SPINALONGA. The True Story: A Historical Drama

by Anna Giakoumaki, Donald Morgan Nielsen (Editor), Maria Lazaridou (Translator)

A Greek islet, two real life heroes, a true love, a breathtaking true story. Life plays many tricks on us, but man plays even more. In the midst of a brutal Civil War, one of the most horrific chapters in the history of modern Greece unfolds on the small islet of Spinalonga - once an impregnable Venetian fortress and now home to a notorious leper colony. Dozens of unsuspecting grandparents, mothers and children from all over Crete will be caught in a web of intrigue and corruption, falsely labelled "lepers" and sent to a lifetime of confinement on this barren rock. A lone woman, Pipina, will manage to escape, thus setting in motion a series of events that changes everything. The hidden truth behind the island of Spinalonga, as recorded in historical archives and as narrated by those who lived it. 'Spinalonga. The True Story', because truth love always end in victory…

Genres: Historical Fiction

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2017

Reviews

[Tammy Jata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on what really happened

After reading,The Island, by Victoria Hislop, I wanted to know more about the leper colony at Spinalonga. My review of that book was not favorable. The writing itself was amateur, characters were poorly developed, and the storyline was disjointed. However, I suppose I owe something to Hislop, because without her I would never have read this true story of Spinalonga. This book is an eye opener; it shows all too clearly what can happen when deceitful and corrupt people get too much power. Lives are shattered for no good reason. The people who were sent to that island leave behind them a legacy of courage and great fortitude! This book is a must read. I do have to say that its one flaw is the switching back and forth from story form to narration, but don't let that stop you from reading this. Amazing,insightful, informative...a true page turner!
Read my kindle highlights for an overview of the story.

[Bella Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Το έργο επικεντρώνεται στην περίοδο του Εμφυλίου, αποκαλύπτοντας πώς δεκάδες ανυποψίαστοι Κρητικοί εγκλείστηκαν στο φρούριο της Σπιναλόγκας ως λεπροί, εξυπηρετώντας στην πραγματικότητα οικονομικά και πολιτικά συμφέροντα της εποχής. Μέσα από μαρτυρίες και ιστορικά αρχεία, η συγγραφέας επιχειρεί να αποδομήσει τον μύθο και να αναδείξει την ωμή αλήθεια πίσω από τον εγκλεισμό.
Η αξία του βιβλίου έγκειται στον χαρακτήρα του ως "ντοκουμέντο". Η Γιακουμάκη αφιέρωσε 12 χρόνια έρευνας για να συγκεντρώσει στοιχεία που για δεκαετίες παρέμειναν στο περιθώριο.
Η προσέγγιση των αληθινών ηρώων και των βιωμάτων τους προσφέρει μια συγκλονιστική ματιά στην ανθρώπινη σκληρότητα και την αδικία.
Ένα μεγάλο μειονέκτημα του βιβλίου, που μετράει σημαντικά στην αρνητική αξιολόγηση, είναι ότι δεν υπάρχει καθόλου φωτογραφικό υλικό της εποχής, κάτι που θα ενίσχυε τον χαρακτήρα του ως ντοκουμέντο.
Επίσης, από τη σελίδα 214 και για τις επόμενες πενήντα σελίδες του βιβλίου υπάρχει σωρεία ορθογραφικών λαθών, θαρρείς κι ο επιμελητής του βιβλίου ξέχασε να τις ελέγξει.
Η δομή του βιβλίου ως παράθεση ντοκουμέντων και μαρτυριών ενδέχεται να στερείται της λογοτεχνικής συνοχής που θα το καθιστούσε πιο εύπεπτο για τον μέσο αναγνώστη.
Μια αξιόλογη και θαρραλέα προσπάθεια καταγραφής της αλήθειας για τη Σπιναλόγκα. Αν και προσφέρει πολύτιμες πληροφορίες, τα σημαντικά προβλήματα στην επιμέλεια και η έλλειψη οπτικού υλικού μειώνουν την συνολική εμπειρία ανάγνωσης.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to learn the real story of Spinalonga

I read this book after reading the historical fiction, The Island, by Victoria Hislop. This is an excellent follow up to learn the real story of Spinalonga, touched on in the The Island. Anna G. exposes the hardships and injustices imposed on the patients and their families and unfortunately what select people in authority are willing to do for political gain. Well done. I love that she used first person accounts extensively, with documents to support the accuracy of the stories she grew up hearing.

[caroline Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative

For years after reading the Island I have wanted to see Spinalonga Next week I will do so. I am so glad I have read this book details are amazing and shows the Island in a new light Inspired by all the inhabitants I shall see this Island and remember all the truths I have learned from this book while trying to imagine the unimaginable Highly recommend this book

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book based on the true history behind Spinalonga. I read this side by side with the Island and if you want more of the reality of the leper colony, then this is the book to read as the story is written by someone who knew Pipina who was sent to the island but did not have leprosy.

[Helen Downton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely interesting read. I visited Spinalonga over 30 years ago when it was only just opened to the public. A place with a heavy atmosphere. Ther wasn't too much detail about it then, reading this is an eye opener. Now I need to visit again.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well written and researched. I always appreciate learning something new in the books I read. The way some of the conversations were written were choppy and awkward, but I would overall recommend this book.

[Sue Bradley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dreadful. Boring…. Badly written…. Really badly edited. Not a ‘novel’ at all…. It clearly isn’t sure what it is…information leaflet? Repetitive and simplistic. Sentences full of mixed tenses …. Unrealistic in the ‘story’ sections. No characterisation; no real description; no atmosphere. Appalling.

[shelley shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spinalonga

Excellent read. I believe every word. Proof of human greed once again!
Highly recommend this book as I myself enjoyed it very much.
Shelley

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this book really interesting to read and shocking. At first, I found the writing style unusual, but this did not prevent me from enjoying the book.

[Paul Daulby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harsh reality

The writing is excellent, with heart tending stories.
Piping was indeed a wonderful person who's memories have educated us , the readers.

[Bjarne Eriksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spinalonga revived

A well written book on the dayly life of the the people on the islet and the poor people from the Bay

[Glenda Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping story of the true story about Spinalonga and its history. Put it in a different light to the tourist version.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well researched and more accurate than "The Island", but they both have their place in learning about Spinalonga. The beginning of this book starts out just a bit slow, but hang in there, it gets a lot better.

[Sandie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I absolutely loved loved loved this book. And because of this book, I now want to go to Crete and get on the tour boat and go to Spinalonga.