About The Island Beyond the Coast – Book II: A real-life journey set in Greece during the 19th century with Bayard Taylor & Mark Twain by Iota Angel
“The Island Beyond the Coast” (Book I and Book II) offers readers an immersive experience of traveling through 19th-century Greece, taking them on a captivating journey infused with magic and imagination. This historical fiction draws inspiration from the original manuscripts of ninety-five foreign travelers who visited Greece, primarily from the late 18th to the late 19th centuries.
The novel skillfully weaves together the stories, thoughts, opinions, and vivid recollections of these travelers during their time in Greece. The narratives are expertly narrated by two highly distinguished writers, Hans Christian Andersen (Book I) and Bayard Taylor (Book II), both of whom explored Greece during that era. While each writer brings a unique perspective, their narratives intertwine, even venturing into the glorious days of ancient Greece.
Andersen and Taylor vividly portray the authentic images of cities, villages, and picturesque Greek islands. They not only draw from their personal memories but also incorporate the impressions and experiences of ninety-three other foreign travelers, some of whom they encountered during their own stays in Greece.
In Book I, Hans Christian Andersen, deeply saddened by unexpected events in his life, decides to embark on a journey to Stockholm in the autumn of 1865 to reunite with his beloved friend, Fredrika Bremer. However, their reunion is overshadowed by a tragic event that brings back memories of Andersen’s unforgettable experiences during his previous journey to Athens, Acropolis, Piraeus, and the Greek islands in 1841. As he reflects on his time in Greece, Andersen’s vivid imagination becomes captivated by the extraordinary stories of other foreign travelers who had visited the same places, stories that he had contemplated writing about but never put to paper.
In Book II, set in 1856, Bayard Taylor returns from the Arctic zone and visits Hans Christian Andersen in Copenhagen before embarking on a long-awaited journey to Greece, fulfilling a lifelong dream that he had cherished since childhood. As Taylor immerses himself in the landscapes and experiences the essence of Greece, he perceives it as a significant presence on the European stage, symbolized by the inscription in black paint on the monument of the national hero Karaiskakis in Piraeus, likening it to a “football field across Europe.” Fast forward to 1878, during Taylor’s trip from the United States to Europe, he serendipitously encounters Mark Twain, who enthralls him with stories of his own travels and encounters in Greece during 1867, adding another layer of narratives and experiences to Taylor’s journey.
“The Island Beyond the Coast” offers a rich and enchanting exploration of 19th-century Greece, combining the allure of historical adventures, captivating mysteries, and the remarkable narratives of famous authors. Through the pages of these books, readers will unravel hidden truths and surprising revelations that will keep them eagerly turning the pages.
The book series was first published in Athens by Angelakis Publications under the auspices of the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Tourism, the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, the Hellenic-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Industry, Tourism and Shipping, the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Club for UNESCO of Piraeus and Islands.
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