The latest addition to my website is Nikos Bakolas‘ Η Μεγάλη Πλατεία (Crossroads). This long novel is set primarily in Thessaloniki between the late 1920s and 1949, a turbulent period in Greek history. We initially follow four main characters – a not very successful journalist, a sailor, a refugee who lost her parents when fleeing from Aanatolia and the son of a well-to-do family whose best friend is murdered snd he is a suspect. Additional characters will be added. These characters have to cope with turmoil including the German occupation and the subsequent civil war as well as a host of other problems. Some die, in some cases violently, others have financial and romantic problems. All have colourful stories, especially the sailor who twice disappears only to return from the dead. It gets a bit chaotic at times as the stories intermingle but gives an excellent portrait of life in a troubled country in turbulent times.