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Summary: A wonderfully written book!
Review: As a Greek-American reading about Greece in Miller's account written in the 1930's, I found it to be very moving. It isn't simply a travel book about Greece, it's about Greece healing someone's soul!I absolutely love Miller's, "Tropic of Cancer," and was expecting the same style for Maroussi. However, I was mistaken. Miller doesn't include any of his notorious womanizing stories here. Instead, Miller writes about finding peace in contemplating Greece, modern and ancient. Again, his written prose is like reading poetry. There are some passages from this book that I had to "cut out" and keep for inspiration. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Henry Miller or Greece. I must also recommend Edmund Keeley's, "Inventing Paradise," which is something of a companion to Maroussi. In it, Keeley discusses Miller's Greek journey, which he took along with George Seferis, Lawrence Durrell, and other 20th century Greek poets, writers, and painters.
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Summary: If you could see it now, Hank...
Review: Having just returned from Greece this summer, I made it a point to finally order this and give it a read, as dated as it might have been. I can honestly say I was not disappointed, and 'Colossus' stands as one of Miller's best literary works. For the most part, the truth of the writing belies its age--the Greeks still know 'how to wear their rags' with a pride and a spirit that even the most jaded cynic could not ignore. Unfortunately, the Greece Miller experienced and writes about here does not exist. The external trappings and narcissism of Americans of the time has since transferred over to the youth of Greece with a passion. If you look hard, you can still find traces of 'Colossus' in the old country, but it's getting progressively harder each year. If you read this before you take the journey, you'll see what I mean.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you
Review: Henry Miller is the "forgotten" genius of American literature, probably because of his political views and his attacks on the "perfect" protestant society. I admire him deeply so as a Greek (Hellenas) I was flattered to read such an inspired account on the idea and nation that is Greece. During his trip to my homeland, amongst the olive trees and the Mediterranean (sheer magic in her own right!), and with the company of a truly gigantic character he unravels the magic that is Greece and in essence enlightens us to the fact that the magic is still there and will be forever. A beautifully written book by a great American writer.
I think it was Goethe that said that "..from all the different cultures Greeks dreamed the dream of life the best"
Rating:
Summary: Thank you
Review: Henry Miller is the "forgotten" genius of American literature, probably because of his political views and his attacks on the "perfect" protestant society. I admire him deeply so as a Greek (Hellenas) I was flattered to read such an inspired account on the idea and nation that is Greece. During his trip to my homeland, amongst the olive trees and the Mediterranean (sheer magic in her own right!), and with the company of a truly gigantic character he unravels the magic that is Greece and in essence enlightens us to the fact that the magic is still there and will be forever. A beautifully written book by a great American writer.
I think it was Goethe that said that "..from all the different cultures Greeks dreamed the dream of life the best"
Rating: 
Summary: Anybody who Loves Travel or Greece will Love this Book
Review: Henry Miller paints a wonderfully enticing portrait of Greece in this well-written account of his travels there in the 1930's and 40's. I liked this book so much that it inspired a trip to Greece, to visit some of the ancient historical sites. While visiting such places as Mycenae and Delphi, it was enjoyable to re-read his own impressions of them. The book is full of colorful observations, and is written in a far more traditional and accessible style than Miller's "Tropic" books. I only have a couple of quibbles about this very fine book. First, the title character of the book, a Greek friend of Miller's, is never developed in a way that justifies the appellation "Colossus." Second, I think Miller sometimes strains a bit to lend a literary effect to rather commonplace things or experiences.
Rating:
Summary: Serendipitous wonder.
Review: Henry Miller takes us to quite an unusual experience and perception of Greece with the power of his words in this comparatively unknown book. This is no trivial travelogue, but it was a great pleasure to delve into his experience as if it was his reader's own!
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Summary: Colossal writing as well
Review: Henry Miller's reputation as a writer needs little verification from the likes of me. Nevertheless, it is a pleasure to be able to confirm the abilities of a truly great author. This example of his work is in some ways a peculiar one since it was written during a turning point in modern history, namely the Second World War, and was inevitably a turning point in Miller's own life as well. Henry Miller has not always had kind things to say about his native U. S. A. Here, in "The Colossus of Maroussi," he uses the American state as a kind of false backdrop for his discoveries in Greece. For Greece is the central geographical landscape on which he builds. Far from being a travelogue, however, it is a story of that ancient land and some of its people; Miller uses the fabric of Greek life to weave a story of mankind. His writing is distinctly dated today, but delightfully so. It is full of a poetic imagery that is almost entirely absent from the main stream of post-modern literature. As such, it is very complex writing which occasionally seems to be almost self-serving, as if the author was writing for no one but himself. In the main, it is a very accessible book that tries to reach out in pure, non-political terms to touch the essential core of what is man. At the present time, we could do well to review our own situation in life, and one way of doing so is by simply reviewing the literature on the subject. I recommend "The Colossus of Maroussi" as a place to start. Besides being the work of a truly formidable writer, it will take you to places you probably never dreamed existed.
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Summary: Visionary, inspirational. Truly a work of art.
Review: I first read this bookin the mid-seventies when I was in my early twenties. I recently re-discovered it as a niece was going to Greece to study and wanted some backround about the culture and character of the Greek people. Reading a book some twenty years later and particularly and author like Henry Miller can tell you something about the author and the reader and how perceptions change in twenty years. Miller's crystal clear renderings of the ambience and character of the Greek landscape and the Greek character are timeless treasures to be soaked up as in the brilliance of the Greek light by anyone that loves art. Although I would not define the book as a classic work of literature (there are too many first person accounts that wax and wane depending on the mood of the author, I would say that it has some characteristics of classic art in it's timeless appeal as well as it's changing meaning to a changing reader. We can look at at great work of art, say at age 21 and it means one thing. then we can look at the same work 25 years later and it will mean something totally different, yet have more depth in some areas and less meaning in others. This is what I found in reading The Colossus of Maroussi. If you want to be transported to the timelessnes of the power and potency of the Greek mind and heart, read thhis book.
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Summary: Greece me
Review: I just finished reading Colossus of Maroussi and it was nothing short of brilliant. Words like imaginative, inspiring, pellucid imagery of the heart and soul of the writer himself and the people of Greece, might not do this book justice. This one will no doubt warm and assure those with sound spirit, and to other's say the British tourists or America loving New Yorkers, might not appreciate Miller's views on the English he encounterd while in Greece and the New York he left behind and renounced much earlier. This book, I feel has a place for anyone with the experience and intellegence to know the difference between consumer contention and capitalist foolish pride, and the spirit of man humble and in no way distracted by superficial desires for status. Stripping himself to the bone and exposing himself for the benefit of all mankind. What really impressed me about this book was Miller's interperatation of nature, that is of mankind and the world in which it co-exists, and how he had achieved to embrace and fulfill it. He had no doubt arrived at the other shore and found himself, his true unfettered self, in Greece. Bringing together vision and action, Miller deserve's recognition and praise. I will continue to read more of Miller's books and would definately encourage you all to read this one.
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Summary: One of Miller's best
Review: I want to encourage any fan of Miller that this is a worthy read. I have read at least half a dozen other Miller novels and would rank this one with the best of them. Infinitely better than Air-Conditioned Nightmare and Big Sur, rich in ideas and beautifully truthful insights, penned with the expertise of the seasoned and worldly Miller. Well worth your time.
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