The Emigrant (1879), the first work of Alexandros Papadiamantis (1851-1911), is a dramatic story. Marina, who loses her mother and father in Marseille during the terrible plague of 1720, is safely transported by Zenon to Smyrna, her homeland.
Zenon is in love with Marina, who, once she recovers from the misfortune that befell her, will reciprocate his love. The two young people become engaged, but the wedding will never take place.
The conspiracy woven against Marina by the opposing romantic interest will ultimately lead her to death and Zenon to vanish from the face of the earth. Is love, Papadiamantis seems to wonder in The Emigrant, a passion that inevitably leads to destruction? Or is it simply a form of warfare, with deceit as its main weapon, and those who do not know how to wield it are the ones who lose?
What fate can a decent person have in such a war? Is there ultimately a happy love? The one who has been called the 'Saint of Greek letters' boldly and astutely probes the realm of love in his literary beginnings.
[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]
