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01-11-2004 ''ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND HIS SHADOW'' by KOSTAS ARKOUDEAS, book review published in DIALOGOS WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF TRIKALA
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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 hard-
bitten 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.