Nom canonique: Zeï, Alki
Nom légal: Ζέη, Άλκη
Date de naissance: 1925-12-15
Date de décès: 2020-02-27
Sexe: female
Nationalité: Greece
Pays (pour la carte): Greece
Lieu de naissance: Athens, Greece
Lieu du décès: Athènes, Grèce
Lieux de résidence: Samos, Grèce
Athens, Greece
Tashkent, Soviet Union
Moscow, Russia, USSR
Paris, France
Études: Athens University (philosophy)
Moscow Cinema Institute (screenwriting)
Conservatoire d'Athènes
Professions: Author
Relations: Σεβαστίκογλου, Γιώργος
Prix et distinctions: Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2015)
Mildred L. Batchelder Award (1970, 1974, 1980)
Courte biographie: Alki Zei est l'un des auteurs les plus importants en matière de littérature de jeunesse grecque.
Alki Zei est née à Athènes, où elle fit ses études. Elle y vécut la guerre, puis étudia la littérature et commença à publier des nouvelles. En 1946, elle suit son mari Georges en URSS. Leurs deux enfants naissent à Moscou. Après quelques années passées à Tachkent, Alki et les siens rentrent en Grèce. Avec l'arrivée au pouvoir d'un gouvernement militaire, ce fut la prison et l'exil : en Italie et en France, avant de regagner son pays d'origine après la dictature. Elle vit aujourd'hui à Athènes avec son mari et ses enfants.
Alki Zei a obtenu de nombreux prix, entre autres, le Prix Mildred Batchelder aux Etats-Unis et le Prix national pour la littérature enfantine en Grèce.
Source : ricochet

Membres

Critiques

The Wildcat Behind Glass par Alki Zei

Cette critique a été écrite dans le cadre des Critiques en avant-première de LibraryThing.

Originally written in 1963, this novel has received multiple honors and been published in dozens of international editions. It’s a classic for good reason with its fascinating, well-written, thought-provoking, and richly authentic story.

Melia, age 8, and her sister Myrto, age 10, call a Greek island home. It’s 1936, and they are pleased as punch to be heading to the small village at the seaside where they spend every summer cavorting with their friends. One of the best bits is when their college-age cousin, Nikos, comes and spins fabulous tales about the taxidermied wildcat that resides in the glass case at home.

This summer, however, turns out to be a strange one. Alongside the carefree, idyllic days by the sea, the unsupervised make-believe, banter, bickering, and adventuring of this ragtag crew of kids, there is an air of mysterious, foreboding gloom among the adults. The children often overhear worrisome, sharp exchanges, remarks about kings and dictators, democracy and fascism, Hitler and Spain, which they don’t understand but which seem full of dark significance. As tensions, secrets, and emotions continue to rise, Melia, Myrto, and the wildcat find themselves immersed in a serious, dangerous adventure.

I’ve encountered numerous middle-grade novels about WWII-era resistance movements among the Danes, Norwegians, French, Dutch…but never the Greeks. Alki Zei, who was herself involved in the Greek resistance, conveys brilliantly the tumult of anger and grief, fear of reprisal, brave resistance, and stomach-turning acquiescence, as the country falls from democracy into fascism. She juxtaposes this with the sunny innocence of childhood, the fierce love within family and community, and enlivens the entire story with rich sensory details of Greek life in this era – delicious stuffed tomatoes and cheese fritters, wine cellars and rocky caves, turquoise waters and old fishing boats. And she gives us a narrator in Melia whose voice is credible and captivating.

It’s a timeless story in content and in the telling. This translation flows beautifully, and an introductory note by the translator is of great help to modern readers. Highly recommended as a read-aloud with ages 8 and up, or an independent read for ages 10 and older.… (plus d'informations)

Signalé

orangemarmalade | 5 autres critiques | Apr 15, 2024 |

Wildcat Under Glass par Alki Zei

Cette critique a été écrite dans le cadre des Critiques en avant-première de LibraryThing.

This was such an interesting read! I love having translated titles in my classroom library— especially when they have such a cool premise! My middle schoolers love this book

Signalé

NicoleRewis | 5 autres critiques | Apr 14, 2024 |

The Wildcat Behind Glass par Alki Zei

Cette critique a été écrite dans le cadre des Critiques en avant-première de LibraryThing.

Won this as an early review copy for library thing. Set in 1930s Greece and told from the point of view an 8 year old girl. This is the time that Greece and the world is seeing lots of political turmoil. During the course of the book Greece comes under dictatorship rule. Part of her family is for it while others are happy with the status quo. Interesting point of view of a young child in regards to what is going on in the world. The deposition of the king, an older cousin who goes off to fight for democracy in Spain, father who's afraid of losing his job at the bank.… (plus d'informations)

Signalé

ChrisWeir | 5 autres critiques | Apr 10, 2024 |

The Wildcat Behind Glass par Alki Zei

Cette critique a été écrite dans le cadre des Critiques en avant-première de LibraryThing.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Written from the perspective of an 8 year old, it's a really lovely book that demonstrates how a child sees turbulent times. The book is set in the 1930s, Europe is in political chaos. The country is torn among royalists, pro-democracy advocates, anti-Bolsheviks. A regular family's members have different viewpoints. The book deals with values such as freedom, honesty in a very grounded way. Highly recommend for all ages.

Signalé

Dom123 | 5 autres critiques | Apr 5, 2024 |

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