Cypria
A Journey to the Heart of the Mediterranean
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:9th May '24
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This evocative book delves into the rich history and cultural resilience of Cyprus, blending personal reflection with historical narrative in Cypria.
In Cypria, British Cypriot author Alex Christofi offers a profound exploration of the island of Cyprus, weaving a narrative that spans from ancient mythology to contemporary issues. The book invites readers to stand at the crossroads of cultures, where Christian and Arab traditions intersect, and where the remnants of various empires—British, Ottoman, Byzantine, Roman, and Egyptian—can still be felt. Through lyrical prose, Christofi paints a vivid picture of a land marked by conflict, resilience, and a rich tapestry of history.
The narrative begins with the legendary tales of cyclopes and gods, setting the stage for a journey through time. Christofi's travels take him to salt lakes, crusader castles, and abandoned towns, each location echoing the tumultuous past of Cyprus, particularly during the bloody conflicts of the twentieth century. As he recounts these stories, he also reflects on his own identity as both a traveler and a returner, drawing parallels to the journey of Odysseus.
Cypria is more than just a historical account; it is a meditation on belonging, identity, and the passage of time. With a novelist's keen eye for detail and a sensitive touch, Christofi combines the political and cultural history of Cyprus with his personal reflections, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with anyone interested in the complexities of history and the human experience.
Engaging, vigorous and at times passionate…Christofi offers a personal account as well as a carefully-annotated history. Rich in curious information. * David Abulafia, Times Literary Supplement *
From ancient myth to modern militarism, a brilliant exploration of Cyprus’s long history of cultural resilience. Superbly composed. -- Steven Poole * Guardian *
A remarkable book about a beautiful island that has lain in the path of every Mediterranean storm. Christofi is a witty and elegant guide to Cyprus’s history.
* Literary Review *An engaging portrait of Cyprus’s variegated and sometimes troubled past. * Country & Town House Magazine *
In this finely crafted new history of Cyprus, Christofi tells a remarkable story of an island where Christian and Arab cultures meet at a crossroads of empires, British, Ottoman, Byzantine, Roman and Egyptian. A lyrical account of a divided place that is in a way a microcosm of the European 20th century, but with olive trees. * The New European *
In poetic prose, Cypria tells a wide-ranging national story. Christofi makes a compelling case for Cyprus as a uniquely clear vantage point from which to view the birth of the modern world. -- Pippa Bailey * New Statesman *
In this beautifully-written book, Alex Christofi tells of the contradictions that make Cyprus so fascinating, an island as ageless as its olive trees and contestations over its historical memory. * Marc David Baer, author of The Ottomans *
Christofi sees Cyprus from both the inside and outside, as a returnee and a traveller. The result is a modern, original book that reinvigorates writing about place in an arresting, lucid, and connected way. It puts the island back in the middle of the map, brought to life in Christofi's always beautiful, erudite prose. * Sophy Roberts, author of The Lost Pianos of Siberia *
Clear, erudite and wonderfully affable, Christofi’s ability to fuse his own family's relationship to Cyprus with that of its wider history, makes Cypria a necessary and illuminating read. Warm, poised and informative, Christofi’s reach is expansive, bringing Cyprus into sharper focus without jettisoning or shying away from complex and sometimes unpleasant aspects of its recent past. * Anthony Anaxagorou, author of After the Formalities *
This beautifully-written book is a delight from start to finish, with gems on every page. Alex Christofi is a fond yet even handed guide to Cyprus. If you have never been this book will make you want to go. * James Barr, author of Lords of the Desert *
Alex Christofi’s new book offers readers a thoughtful, unexpected look at Cyprus’s history. * Inside Hook's Ten Books You Should Be Reading This July *
[Alex Christofi] brings a novelist's eye to the subject, and a turn of phrase to leave the academic historians in the dust... It's a book that has the unmistakable whiff of a quality piece of publishing and has clearly been a labour of love. * Neill Denny, BookBrunch *
Cypria is an impressively wide-ranging history of a fascinating island, written with a grace and lightness of touch that still manages to convey much of the bitterness of Cyprus’s recent past. It is a book to be enjoyed on a hot summer’s day…but also to be pondered when darker nights draw in. * The Critic *
ISBN: 9781399401883
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
352 pages