Costas Taktsis (Κώστας Ταχτσής), arguably the most important post-war Greek writer, referred to himself as a Sacred Monster. He called his life-long friend, Sydney artist Carl Plate, a committed internationalist and key figure in the post-war Australian modern art movement, the Colossus of Woronora.

You get a very aromatic sense of this great cross-pollination of cultures, and what a hip cast of characters! (Powys and Oblomov!!) And the letters supply specificity like nothing else - details, voice, intimacy.

​

It's great. How the drab Edwardian monochrome of the post-war years, gets a sweep of colour on islands of creativity, dazzeled landscapes  ...  terrific links (London, Paris, Ireland, Athens, Hydra, Sydney) and entanglements and – because we know the end – one senses the drama of the forces – beyond anyones control – under the sunny availability of youth. A fantastic work of cultural history.

  George Alexander

​

​

launching  at the  2022 Greek – Australian Writers Festival 12th June 2022

​