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Dead Europe (2005 Novel)
[edit]Dead Europe is a 2005 magical realist, Gothic novel written by Australian LGBT author Christos Tsiolkas.[1] It is his third novel and was published by Vintage Random House.
The novel primarily follows its protagonist Isaac Raftis' experiences as he travels across Europe in the early 2000s whilst also chronicling the story of his grandfather Michaelis and grandmother Lucia's lives in their rural Greek village in the years surrounding World War II.
At the time of release the novel was met with significant controversy regarding its depiction of historical and contemporary antisemitism, with some critics arguing that the text itself represented an antisemitic perspective.[2] It has also received various literary accolades including Book of the Year from The Age.[3]
| Author | Christos Tsiolkas |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | Vintage |
Publication date | 18 October 2005 |
| Publication place | Australia |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 411pp. |
| ISBN | 978-0-14379-096-9 |
Background
[edit]The novel was originally conceived a non-fiction project exploring the consequences of global capitalism in post-communist Europe from an Australian traveler's perspective.[4] During his time researching this project, Tsiolkas was surprised at the antisemitism he encountered, something he thought had "died in history" and was drawn to including this phenomenon in his project.[4] Upon realizing the level of scholarship, research and academic rigor this work would require, Tsiolkas instead moved towards fiction as a means of disseminating and exploring these ideas, and thus the novel Dead Europe was conceived.[5]
Plot Summary
[edit]The novel is structured in chapters alternately focusing on a realist depiction Isaac's travels in contemporary Europe and a fantastical representation of his grandparents' lives in their rural WW2 era village in Greece.
.
Characters
[edit]Major Characters
[edit]- Isaac Raftis: A second generation Greek-Australian who embarks on a trip through to Europe to present his photographic work, reconnect with old friends and discover more about his heritage. During his travels he becomes afflicted with a strange sickness and is preyed upon by a malevolent spirit.
- Lucia Panagis: Isaac's grandmother, "the most beautiful woman in Europe" who begins an illicit relationship with Elia, a Jewish boy they are hiding from the Germans, before urging Michaelis to murder him to hide her shame.[6]
- Michaelis Panagis: Isaac's grandfather, born into poverty he travels to America to make his fortune before returning to marry Lucia. He shelters Elia at the request of the boy's father, eventually murdering him at Lucia's urging, unleashing a multi-generational curse curse upon his family.
- Elia: The young Jewish boy sheltered and ultimately murdered by and Michaelis. He returns as a specter to haunt and prey upon their family, latching on to Isaac during his travels.
- Reveka Raftis: Isaac's mother, who was similarly afflicted by the curse during her childhood.
- Colin: Isaac's boyfriend who he has left behind in Australia while he travels across Europe.
Recurring Characters
[edit]- Sophie Raftis: Isaac's younger sister in Australia.
- Giulia: Isaac's cousin living in Greece.
- Andreas Kalifakis: Giulia's boyfriend who represents Isaac's first encounter with contemporary European antisemitism.
- Sal Mineo: A close friend from Isaac's university days who has made a career shooting pornography in Prague.
Themes
[edit]Antisemitism
[edit]
Post-Communist Capitalism in Europe
[edit]Controversy
[edit]Allegations of Antisemitism
[edit]
Reception
[edit]Critical Reception
[edit]Although Dead Europe received a number of literary awards and nominations, critical response has been generally divided.
Awards and Accolades
[edit]- 2006 winner: The Age Book of the Year Award - Fiction Prize[7]
- 2006 shortlisted: ASAL Awards - ALS Gold Medal
- 2006 shortlisted: New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards - Christina Stead Prize for Fiction
- 2006 inaugural winner: Melbourne Prize - Best Writing Award
- 2005 shortlisted: Queensland Premier's Literary Awards - Best Fiction Book
Adaptation
[edit]
- ^ Rosenblatt, Les (02/10/05). "A Place Where Wolves Fuck". Arena Magazine. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Manne, Robert (June 2005). "Dead disturbing. A bloodthirsty tale that plays with the fire of anti-semitism". The Monthly. Retrieved 07/02/2020.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Work Record - Dead Europe". AustLit. 2005. Retrieved 07/02/20.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Tsiolkas, Christos (2008). "Interview with Christos Tsiolkas: 'what does fiction do?' on Dead Europe: ethics and aesthetics' [interview by Padmore, Catherine.]". Australian Literary Studies. Vol. 23, No.4: p.446.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help);|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ Tsiolkas, Christos (2008). "Interview with Christos Tsiolkas: 'what does fiction do?' on Dead Europe: ethics and aesthetics' [Interview by Padmore, Catherine]". Australian Literary Studies. Vol. 23 No. 4: p.447.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help);|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ Tsiolkas, Christos (2005). Dead Europe. Melbourne, Australia: Vintage. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-14379-096-9.
- ^ "Dead Europe - Australian Literary Database". AustLit. Retrieved 23/01/2020.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)