Join the adventure!"Rarely does one get a chance to capture the spirit of a people within just one book. But Magnette: A Cyprus Odyssey, by Elmos Konis, achieves just that. This is a contemporary story which easily slips into this island's distinguished past. As a result, the reader gets a rare and holistic glimpse into the psyche of the Cypriot. Romantic at times and nakedly honest at others, this look feels like it is truly from the inside. But, at the same time, this story is remarkably international in its approach and appeal. Universal human emotions we all treasure or despise, like love, friendship and betrayal are all here."
We follow the central character's life experiences. Mr. Aris, the mysterious man who owns a precious vintage car, an MG Magnette, is initially secretive and his past is shrouded with mystery and innuendos. But, slowly and surely, all is revealed: a life of misery and poverty, a turn of fortunes, a dark secret. |
"Driving force." Cyprus Weekly
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Read the first chapter of my book!He was in a deep slumber when it hazily made its way first through his subconscious and then his conscious mind. He opened his eyes and remained very still.
There! He heard it again. A rasping sound… Like some kind of a scratching noise. He wondered what it was. Where it was coming from. Probably a damned rat, munching onto something down in the basement. Maybe making its merry way through a book, he thought with mild dismay. He did not abhor rodents as much as most other people did. Of course he did not exactly like them either. Nobody did. But he could tolerate their existence. At least till tomorrow morning. He made a mental note to do something about this problem first thing. With that thought he was about to slide into deep sleep once more. But then he heard something again. A louder sound this time. Now he snapped fully awake. This was different. More rhythmic. He tried to locate its source. Much harder to do this with the lights out… It was coming from the door. The front door. Like a tap, exaggerated by the darkness and the silence of the night. He waited, again, for what seemed like minutes. Nothing. “Just my imagination,” he concluded, relieved. Still, he decided to go check the door anyway. As he got up he stumbled onto something on the floor. He switched on a dim bedside light. It was the book he had been reading the night before. A big old thick Bible. He picked it up to put it on the small table. He glanced at the open page at the last line he had been reading before he dozed off: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2) He shuddered and closed it. He carefully made his way to the front door. He looked through the peep hole. It seemed unusually quiet out there, even for this time of the night. Then he wondered what time it actually was. Instinctively he glanced toward the grandfather clock in the corner, but it was too dark to make out the dials. “Nobody out there,” he mumbled to himself, but he kept looking anyway. It disturbed him a little that it was so quiet. Suddenly, a big eye appeared right in front of him. Somebody outside was looking at him, magnified through the peep hole. He jumped back, shocked. Now there was a knock on the door, loud and clear. Followed by another. “Who is it?” he asked in panic, not daring to look through the hole again. No reply, just another couple of knocks, persistent. He felt really sad. Of course he knew who it was. Who was he fooling? He made his decision. He reached out to turn the key to unlock the door. Then he slowly, resignedly turned the door knob to the left to open the door. He expected the worst but still he continued. The door swung open. His eyes were stung by the bright light. He sat up in his bed. He looked around him, sweating, perplexed. What was he doing in his bed? He sat there motionless, thinking, for a full thirty seconds. It took him that long to figure out that it had all been a dream. The morning sun rays were shining right onto his face, through the half open curtains. |
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