George Psychoundakis: A Letter to C. A. Trypanis.

Athens: The American College of Greece,, 1999. First and only edition, one of 1,250 copies; this a fine presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title verso, within characteristic sketches of clouds and seagulls, "For Kisty with love from Paddy, Kardamyli 8.VII.1999". Kisty Fermor-Hesketh (1929-2006), historian and campaigner, was an old friend and the author often stayed at Easton Neston, her glorious Hawksmoor country house in Northamptonshire. Allan Massie's Guardian obituary of Kisty Hesketh, as she was customarily known, was headed "historian and rugby fan whose bold spirit defied great tragedies", and opened "[she] was born into wealth and privilege. She saw much of the wealth go, and did not repine. As for privilege, to her mind this entailed obligation, which she unfailingly fulfilled. Her life was marked by tragedy and misfortune; yet no one could be in her company without feeling the better for it". Leigh Fermor's inscription bookends an 8-line pencilled note from him, explaining that his original letter to the Greek classical scholar C. A. Trypanis, which this book reprints, was "to get a prize and a pat on my back for my old Cretan pal". He continues, "I don't know why they printed it as it's a bit stodge". The original letter of 1979 requested recognition from the Academy of Athens for George Psychoundakis's translation into modern Cretan dialect of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, translations which received much acclaim. This copy includes a couple of annotations to the text by Leigh Fermor. During the war Psychoundakis (1920-2006) fought with the Cretan Resistance but during the post-war years was wrongfully imprisoned as a deserter and wrote his memoirs while in jail. Leigh Fermor was in Crete with SOE "using his knowledge of the language, dressed as a Cretan shepherd and organising the local partisan sabotage operations" (ODNB) with Psychoundakis acting as his daredevil courier. Leigh Fermor was instrumental in seeing that his memoir, The Cretan Runner (1955), was placed with the publisher John Murray. Octavo. Original cream wrappers, titles to spine and front cover in red and black. Text printed in English and modern Greek. Extremities a little bumped, else a near-fine copy. Allan Massie, The Guardian, 25 April 2006.