Island of Ghosts and Dreams

A Novel

Christopher Cosmos

A Read With Jenna "Most Anticipated" book

"A modern epic."—TODAY.com

"A delightful tale of magical realism."—Woman's World

A woman from a small Greek village finds herself swept up in the long and storied history of her island—and its far-reaching impact—in this unforgettable story of love, passion, and resistance.

Chania, Crete; 1941.

When mainland Greece falls to the Germans after incredible and heroic resistance, the Greek government flees south to Crete: an ancient island of Gods and Kings, and Myths and Minotaurs.

Maria is a villager whose husband has been away fighting with the Greek army, and after she finds a British soldier that washes up on a secluded beach near her home, and helps nurse him back to health, the Germans then turn south and invade Crete, too.

Occupation, tragedy, and betrayal follow. The lives of Maria and her family change in an instant and she finds herself in a role she never thought she'd have to play—and one that generations of Cretans have had to assume before her.

Steeped in history and filled with unforgettable characters, Island of Ghosts and Dreams is a profoundly moving and decades-spanning tale of passion, honor, family, the great and enduring sacrifices all generations must make for freedom, and our sacred and immortal obligation to follow the strength and power of our heart, no matter where it might lead us.

Christopher Cosmos is a bestselling author and Black List-screenwriter from the Midwest who attended the University of Michigan as the recipient of a Chick Evans Scholarship. He is the author of Once We Were Here and Young Conquerors.  Follow him @christophercosmos.

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Endorsements & Reviews

"A modern epic about six pivotal months on the Greek island of Crete during WWII, and one woman's experience of them." TODAY.com

"A delightful tale of magical realism filled with unforgettable characters." Woman's World

"This gripping novel brings history to life through strong, well-written characters, a compelling plot, and meticulous attention to detail. The gifted author’s masterful prose draws the reader in from the very first page of this must read book." The National Herald

"Fans of WWII historical fiction will find much to savor in this novel. It offers a unique setting, unforgettable characters, and an action-filled plot, all written in a style that is both compelling and thought-provoking. As a window into the culture of Crete past and present, this novel is highly recommended." Historical Novel Society

"As in his earlier novel, Once We Were Here, Cosmos blends intimate storytelling with sweeping history. Crete is a character all its own, both intensely alive and ancient with history — from Minoan myths to Venetian walls and Ottoman legacies. There is a fierce local pride that pulses through the novel, and that made the Battle of Crete one of the most remarkable civilian resistance movements of the war... but what lingers most is the novel’s insistence on memory: how history lives on in families, landscapes, and stories passed hand to hand." Michigan Alumnus Magazine

“Cosmos revisits WWII Greece in his riveting latest. Island of Ghosts and Dreams shines a light on the lesser-told story of Greece’s role in WWII, evoking the tremendous stamina and courage of its people and showing how their lives are changed under the constant threat of death. It’s a stirring drama.” Publishers Weekly

"In 1941, on the island of Crete, Maria finds a British soldier, nearly dead, and brings him to the home she shares with her husband’s family. Meanwhile, as she awaits her husband’s return from his own battles against the Germans, the war reaches Crete's shores. Stark details about the violence and heartbreak of war are interwoven with tender moments of love. At its heart, this is a story of Crete’s cycle of overcoming oppression, as Maria’s grief makes way for those who come after her to rebuild and flourish." Booklist

“Island of Ghosts and Dreams is a sweeping story of love and resistance, spanning two generations and capturing the fierce spirit of Crete during the German occupation. History, passion and sacrifice are bound together by the unbreakable will to be free. From the ashes of this war rises a love as timeless as the island itself. A beautiful and poignant must read." Liv Constantine, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish

"Rich in historical detail and finely nuanced characters, Island of Ghosts and Dreams is a beautifully written and magnificent novel. Once again, Christopher Cosmos brings to light an important and mostly forgotten moment in history by crafting an evocative and transportive story that you won't want to put down and won't want to end. Highly recommended." Yvette Manessis Corporon, international bestselling author of Daughter of Ruins

"An epic tale of resilience, passion, and promise, Island of Ghosts and Dreams transports readers to a small Cretan village in the 1940’s and deftly weaves together threads of hope, inspiration, and unflinching love into a stunning illustration of how tragedy can transform us into our best and bravest self.” Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Life List