- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Dexter Haven (7 Jun 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1903660017
- ISBN-13: 978-1903660010
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 546,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
A highly topical love story, with Muslim/Christian conflict at its heart; a vivid, human evocation of a political situation that, decades on, is returning to
the news as one of the EU’s greatest challenges.
the news as one of the EU’s greatest challenges.
The Cypriot is a powerful story of love across a divide of religion and identity, of passionate loyalties and heartrending choices.
It is the 1950s, and Cyprus is under British rule; the struggle for freedom begins. To the Orthodox Christian majority, freedom means enosis – union with Greece. To the Muslim minority, enosis means disaster. Andonis, a
Christian, struggles for his own freedom: to be a tailor and escape a life in his father’s fields; to be a Cypriot and be with his forbidden Muslim love. At stake are family and friendships, beliefs and traditions, village and homeland. The novel builds to a climax in the Turkish invasion of 1974, an event whose impact is still felt regionally and globally.
This is a gripping story of a community torn apart by outside forces, of mistrust and bloodshed fuelled by international politics. It gives the background to the partition and acrimony that still exist in Cyprus, now
reappearing on news agendas with an EU angle, following Cyprus’s accession and the start of Turkey’s membership negotiations.
From the Publisher
I am really pleased to announce that we are publishing 'The Cypriot', and are very excited about its prospects. It’s an engaging and dramatic story as well as a very human and sympathetic introduction to the history and culture of Cyprus.
At an important time for Cyprus, with the prospects of unification and Turkey’s EU accession, it strikes a highly constructive and conciliatory tone throughout. It doesn’t dodge the issues, but it presents them as complex, and accepts that no one side is blameless, or totally to blame.
It is human, nuanced and sensitive, it never preaches, and there are characters from all sides who are presented in a sympathetic light. The central theme is love across the divide. All of this speaks very positively to Cypriots from both communities, and can only help in the process of reconciliation that will be needed in the coming years.
The book is a fascinating general introduction to Cyprus and its history for the general (non-Cypriot) reader, and helps to build up an awareness of Cyprus outside the island and Cypriot communities abroad. Cyprus’s entry into the EU, and possibly tricky negotiations over reunification, mean that understanding and sympathy towards the island in the outside world has never been more important. This book packs a lot of background into its narrative, and does so in an approachable way, a way that will make people want to read it. It may have the effect of a history lesson, but it never feels like one.
Finally, the book is an exciting story and a rewarding read, from a Cypriot who has lived in London all his life, who is proud of Cyprus and passionate about its future (and a great communicator of that), and of whom Cyprus in turn can be proud. This is a great showcase for Cypriot creativity and talent.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is not only an awesome piece of writing but it is a thoroughly educational, entertaining and moving read.
Although it is a novel, it has an autobiographical feel about it. The author has clearly questioned his own identity as a 'Cypriot' and carried out extensive research so as to put this novel together and educate, inform and try and re-unite his fellow Cypriots.
As a non-Cypriot myself, it taught me about Cyprus and the horrific division of the island. It taught me about Cypriot people and the anguish of living through such testing times. It taught me that being 'a Cypriot' is the way forward by uniting Cypriot people from whichever religious faith they belong. Living in harmony on the same island and declaring 'we are Cypriots, we are the same people' would teach the world to take example from this. This book offers a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Andreas Koumi's writing is very accessible and colourful. He writes in a non-pretentious way and clearly has wonderful literary ability. The book is also full of lovely little translations of traditional Cypriot songs and chants which are highly entertaining!
This book also invites people that invest their interest in Cyprus and its people to be 'Cypriots'. I am therefore now also a Cypriot!
Although it is a novel, it has an autobiographical feel about it. The author has clearly questioned his own identity as a 'Cypriot' and carried out extensive research so as to put this novel together and educate, inform and try and re-unite his fellow Cypriots.
As a non-Cypriot myself, it taught me about Cyprus and the horrific division of the island. It taught me about Cypriot people and the anguish of living through such testing times. It taught me that being 'a Cypriot' is the way forward by uniting Cypriot people from whichever religious faith they belong. Living in harmony on the same island and declaring 'we are Cypriots, we are the same people' would teach the world to take example from this. This book offers a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Andreas Koumi's writing is very accessible and colourful. He writes in a non-pretentious way and clearly has wonderful literary ability. The book is also full of lovely little translations of traditional Cypriot songs and chants which are highly entertaining!
This book also invites people that invest their interest in Cyprus and its people to be 'Cypriots'. I am therefore now also a Cypriot!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Cypriot is one of those books that transfixes you and this becomes obvious from the very first chapter .
In my opinion the author has written the Cypriot in a style that evokes a myriad of feelings , emotions , colour .Take the example of the character description of the army captain , I could clearly visualise him in front of me having read his introduction into the book .
The passion behind the author's writing combined with the skilful introduction of love , conflict , happiness , sadness made me feel that I wanted to see all that I was reading portrayed in front of me so maybe Andreas Koumi can work on a film version of his excellent book as his next project .
I often pass books that I have read to family and friends but I shall be holding on to this one .
In my opinion the author has written the Cypriot in a style that evokes a myriad of feelings , emotions , colour .Take the example of the character description of the army captain , I could clearly visualise him in front of me having read his introduction into the book .
The passion behind the author's writing combined with the skilful introduction of love , conflict , happiness , sadness made me feel that I wanted to see all that I was reading portrayed in front of me so maybe Andreas Koumi can work on a film version of his excellent book as his next project .
I often pass books that I have read to family and friends but I shall be holding on to this one .
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I highly recommended this book to anyone looking for a good read. You'll especially love it if you've been to or are going to Cyprus on holiday.
The Cypriot tells the story of Cyprus as it has never been told before - a novel. Koumi avoids giving a political lecture and is sympathetic to both sides: Christian and Muslim. His characters paint a true picture of the people of Aphrodite's island of love.
Koumi writes so well that when you read this book you'll feel as though you're in Cyprus. You'll smell the smells and will be transported to the sunny island.
Expect a rollercoaster ride of emotions to hit you in the last two thirds of the book when you will not be able to put it down.
Don't be put off by `Zoë R's' review. This reviewer clearly hasn't read the book because if she had she would know that Andonis (a Christian) doesn't have a son!! It is he that falls in love with the beautiful Funda (a Muslim).
The Cypriot would make a fantastic movie. I look forward to that and the sequel too.
The Cypriot tells the story of Cyprus as it has never been told before - a novel. Koumi avoids giving a political lecture and is sympathetic to both sides: Christian and Muslim. His characters paint a true picture of the people of Aphrodite's island of love.
Koumi writes so well that when you read this book you'll feel as though you're in Cyprus. You'll smell the smells and will be transported to the sunny island.
Expect a rollercoaster ride of emotions to hit you in the last two thirds of the book when you will not be able to put it down.
Don't be put off by `Zoë R's' review. This reviewer clearly hasn't read the book because if she had she would know that Andonis (a Christian) doesn't have a son!! It is he that falls in love with the beautiful Funda (a Muslim).
The Cypriot would make a fantastic movie. I look forward to that and the sequel too.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
My Opinion on The Cypriot.
I bought this book on the off chance and am so glad I did. I like reading travel novels/biographies,this is something a little different. Read more
Published 3 months ago by JDSEssx
Brilliant!!!
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It is so beautifully written. I found it to be both an educational and fascinating read. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Angela T
Warm and touching
I bought this book a number of years ago and only just got round to reading it. And am I glad I finally did! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ella
Th Cypriot
Couldn't put it down and think it would make a great film.
Beautifully written and clearly painstakingly researched.
A follow up please Mr Koumi!
Beautifully written and clearly painstakingly researched.
A follow up please Mr Koumi!
Published 12 months ago by rashna bhadha-ryan
Fantastic read
Having recently read Andrea Busfield's Aphrodite's War, which was excellent, I purchased The Cypriot wondering how anything I was about to read could live up to its predecessor. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Andrea Smith
A well told story
This book was a surprise. It took me a few pages to get into and then I flew. The historical accuracy of a confused and sad time in the island's past is dealt with sensitively... Read more
Published 19 months ago by M. H. Wright
very boring
its a very long story about a man who is questioning his identity, it failed to captivate my attention, very disappointing
Published 19 months ago by Georgia
The Cypriot!
This was a lovely story!I could not put the book down! It was nice to have Cypriot words and songs written between the English. Have your tissues ready for the end of the book. Read more
Published on 16 April 2010 by P. MARCOS
Moving Story
A very good insight into the problems facing the people of Cyprus during their struggle for independence and freedom from the British occupation. Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2009 by N. Peglitsis
A good human story about the Island's recent history
This is an excellent read for anyone interested in Cyprus. Its a love story and a history book giving an insight to the problems of youth at that time.
Published on 22 Sep 2009 by K. J. Jenner
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