Patrick Leigh Fermor (1915–2011)

Ok

A tale of the mythical island of Saint-Jacques des Alises, full of passion and beauty. The descriptions are magical and the story is worth a listen as the traveler did of events long ago and far away.

I enjoyed reading about Fermor's visits to the various monasteries, having first become enamored with the idea of living the monastic life after reading Geoffrey Moorhouse's Sun Dancing, the history of Skellig Michael. I had the opportunity to tour Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire in 2015, and would love the chance to spend time at a functioning monastery today! While I'm sure that's not an option, one can dream!

Since I first encountered PLF's A Time of Gifts, I have been gradually working my way through his works. This collection of his letters covers most of his life, from 1940 until a year before his death in 2011. He was a brilliant writer, which makes his letters easy reading.He was very honest in his letters, which make them fascinating reading, as did his wide circle of friends from Greek monks and former Greek resistance fighters to British literary circles.