Alexander the Great and his shadow (Historical novel) 3rd edition by Kostas Arkoudeas Kastaniotis Editions Price: 18 Euros This First historical novel by the author Kostas Arkoudeas is a pleasant surprise not just for its plain and unadorned linguistic style, the careful structure and presentation of historic events, the balanced depiction of characters and situations, the rich stirring of colorful images in the reader’s soul. It is a pleasant surprise (and a literary jolt) for the harmonious plot of eminent and non-eminent men, of petty and famous characters that frame the novel’s protagonist, that is to say, Alexander. On some occasions as “Sikandar” for the Indians or “Iskandar” for the Asians (meaning “the one who wants the entire world’’), as the undefeated king, the hardbitten Macedonian soldier or simply as Alexander the carefree young leader, the personality of the great victorious army commander opens up and is cleared up from
the point of view of different narrative voices that complement rather than blare our judgment concerning the legend’s “riddle’’. Because, indeed, in these interesting pages of historic narrations –presented, however, in such a way that do not end up being a boring history lesson - the reader recreates, if not realistically at least cinematographically, the Macedonian king’s conquests, the hardships, the privations, the sufferings during his advance onto the interior of Asia Minor. Away from outbreaks of consciousness, with masterful literary devices that border on poetic speech, the incredible spirit, the ethos and the insight of this man are presented; of the man who was called “Great’’ by historians and “legend’’ by his descendants. At the same time, though, the weakness of the strong Alexander the Great is shown: his indomitable desire for conquest. In his fight, Alexander is aided by Kalanos, a wise Indian who follows the ruler willingly. He becomes Alexander’s “shadow’’. A refreshing bright shadow, a mirroring of life in Alexander’s wasteland who feels that he is surrounded by Erinnyes, usurpers, traitors, flatterers, opportunists. Kalanos, an almost supernatural figure, stands out as the one holding the keys of knowledge and truth. The young Alexander, the sensitive Roxanni, the beloved Hephaestion rally round him. It could be said that Kalanos is the novel’s central figure overshadowing the Great military commander, watching him closely like a shadow. But he is also the father figure of the story, Alexander’s mentor and close friend. To death. If, according to the author, Kalanos served as the call of conscience for Alexander, then, certainly, the novel or if you prefer this particular approach to historic reality, should in no way be ignored. It is a fresh, renovating and enlightening breath because, as Kalanos would say, “[it] had heart and soul’’ (p. 218). Enjoy reading it!
Ritsa Kroupi
Note: The original book review was published in Greek in the weekly newspaper of Trikala “dialogos’’ on 1 November 2004, p.28.