The Gangsters by Zafiriou, Lefkios - 2005

Melbourne AUS: Delphic Oracle Press, 2005 [Translation of: Oi symmorites. Nicosia, Cyprus : Roptro, 1982. ]Translated from the Greek with an introduction and notes by Stathis Gauntlett "At a time when the reunification of Cyprus and Cypriots is thought to be achievable, Lefkios Zafiriou's highly acclaimed and controversial work of autobiographical fiction "The Gangsters" is more relevant than ever. Set in the now almost mythical times when ordinary Greek and Turkish Cypriots shared the privations of life in a neglected British colony, the novella engages robustly with issues of great sensitivity to all Cypriots, right from its title through to the last words on the final page. The original Greek version was awarded a state prize for fiction and hailed as something new in Cypriot literature; this extensively annotated translation can serve as a starting point for an understanding of the uniquely tortured story of modern Cyprus." 92 pp. (incl. map and timeline). First Edition. Softcover. New Book from Publisher. Illus. by Trans. Stathis Gauntlett.