I wanted to read this book since I was a kid, since most of the book worms I knew back then had read it. I wasn鈥檛 to much into books back then, so I did not ask my parents to buy it to me. Now that I make my own money and grew fondness of books, I said I would give it a go. Disappointing! I expected to read a story of a dog that I would eventually like, since it would be protagonist of the book. The dog killed a cat for showing off! What kind of a person writes these things for kids? Couldn鈥檛 there be a different alternative to display? By the way, I am a cat person, and for that reason also, I cannot let that slide. Another thing, was the cultivation of racism and nationalism. I truly understand the environment under which the events of the book take place 鈥� narrated handsomely at the end of the book, which seemed to me out of topic by the way. But beating up a milk man because of his nationality? I repeat this is a book for kids/teens. Whatever... All of the above was enough for me to give it a one star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Good book for children only.Won't disappoint parents. The story is easy to understand and the read is enjoyable.However at some point it is clear that the book has not only positive messages,but negative as well. Numerous racial slurs throughout mainly targeted against Bulgarians, Jewish and black people.I consider the novel a well written, but there are some goofs.For examble the word '谓蔚蠀蟻喂魏伪未伪',which is mentioned in the novel,does not exist in the Greek language.
The main narrator in this marvelous story is an adorable Fox Terrier named 螠维纬魏伪蟼! (Magkas). Now, I wish I could try to explain in English what the word Magkas mean for Greeks in order to understand the significance of the dog's name in this book, but I can't. There is not translation for the word Magkas. I am sure there is some other Greek person who can try to explain well what the word means, but for me, it would take me hours to find a way to translate/explain what it means, so I will leave it.
Anyway, this wonderful and lovely story set in early 20th century blends the funny and heartwarming incidents in the life of Magkas and the family he belongs to with teachable moments we all, adults and children, can benefit from, and also teaches the history surrounding the Greek heroes of Macedonia fighting for independence during the wars with the Bulgarians and Turks in the 19th century.
Filled with moral lessons, patriotism, and history, Magkas is a marvelous reading that will never get old for me.
I have always credited Penelope Delta's stories among those that are responsible for my love of reading.
-- I was nearly moved to tears, so touched I was to find here in the U.S. the books of Penelope Delta-- One of my most favorite Greek authors growing up in Greece-- first on the online bookstore of Barnes & Nobles and on Amazon, which is very rare to find books in Greek, and then on an open books online library site for ebooks and audio books in the Greek language.
I could not wait to start reading in Greek also. Despite my 24 years in California and that by now I am fluent in English, it is always easier and faster to read in Greek most books. Also, I cannot listen to audio books in English and understand or remember what I heard, but I have no problem at all with audio books in Greek, which is how I reread this Greek childhood historical fiction favorite classic "螠维纬魏伪蟼" (Magkas).
I liked the best that the book had adventure and also had curiosity but it was for kids around eleven years old to fourteen. The book was interesting. Although most of the part was understandable, what l liked least about it was that more people were getting into the story without mentioning the relationship with the main characters.
This book didn鈥檛 remind me of an actual book but it did remind me that when someone does something which they are not supposed to and makes a mess then they should learn from their faults and sometimes they get a punishment. I would like to meet the main character the dog which in this case is called 鈥溛溛澄何毕傗€�.
I really like the background of the book mostly the house the dog was living. This book does not include a quote but the message or purpose of the book is to not do things that are wrong and even if we don鈥檛 know if it is good or bad then we should learn of our faults and sometimes even to get punished.
The ideas that the author is getting across is to learn of what we do and to reflect is what I am doing good or bad and why. Also when what we did is wrong we should be more careful next time and even get punished if it is required.
I think that the author is taking into consideration both sides of the world not only the good ones but also the worse ones. When meeting a person in the road, everyone thinks the worst about him but in the book the dog met a poor and very skinny dog which was so kind and a really good example of a good and descent dog no matter the outside but the inside.
I would read an other book by this author because I really liked the main story and I found it interesting until when it gets a bit too much and too many things happen slowly that then it gets a bit uninteresting.