Cast of Characters:-
(Andy) Andrew Erikson-Passenger on plane who is telling the story. Second Class Petty Officer.Explored island
- Jake (Jacob) Alexander Young-Petty Officer, First Class. Runs all of supply. Explored island
- Lt Carter-
- Harry Murray-Petty Officer, First class. Good friends with Jake. Explored island
- Rosie (Guadalupe Rosa) Gutierrez-Erikson’s love interest. Worked in the post office, Second Class Petty Officer. Explored island
- Sean Fitzpatrick-Petty Officer, First Class. Andy would become close friends with him.
- Katrina Hoffman-Fitzpatrick’s somewhat girlfriend. German
- Emma Strickland-assistant to Rosie
- Steven Dillard-Perry Officer, First Class.
- Brian Simmons-Erikson’s roommate. Minor character
- Seth McAlister-another roommate. Minor character
- John Stevens-another Second Class Petty Officer
- Pedro Ramos-Third Class Petty Officer, hard working Filipino
- Dave Wilmer-Seaman, drank too much
- Sarah Drake, Executive Officer (XO), strict, compassionate
- Charles Simpson-Commanding Officer (CO)
- Maurice Lafayette Boudraeux-cook
- Tobias Bauer-Austrian researcher on the Gouverneto Monastery
- Father Petrakis-Abbot of Gouverneto Monastery
- Sister Helena-niece of Sister Alexa
- Sister Alexa-drove the daughter of the shepherd to her place of refuge
- Effie Sfakianaki-Cousin of the shepherd’s daughter
Expectations:
-
Recommendation:
Don Anderson, the author
-
When:
August 2022
-
Date
Became Aware of Book: Mid-2021 as he was writing it.
-
How
come do I want to read this book: The author is a friend and I am
interested in seeing what he writes in a fictional setting.
-
What
do I think I will get out of it? A good story.
Thoughts:
If
you want to keep the suspense on “do they find” the treasure, do
not read the final few chapters of my thoughts. Actually, it is a bit
of a misnomer as these are more summaries of the chapters than
anything else.
Also,
I have created a Google Earth kmz file of the places mentioned in
this book. You can access it by clicking
on this link.
Most of the places Anderson mentions is in this file. Each chapter
which they travel has a separate folder. Some of the trips also have
the route plotted as well. Note: this is a fictional book, so there
may be some improbability associated with the actual routes, even
though I suspect the author did visit many of these places.
 |
Places Talked about
|
As
you read through the story, part of the interest of this story is the
segways Anderson goes on when there is a reference to something of
interest. Such as Charles Young or the Minoanian culture. In that
sense, there is a hidden educational value to this story.
I
wonder if the “Andy” part of Andrew is a hidden Easter egg to the
author’s name.
It
is hard to evaluate a book which your friend wrote. I kept on hearing
Don’s voice talking, which is a plus and some of Don’s stories
parallel the stories in the book. So I cannot differentiate between
what I am hearing in my head and what I am reading. I suppose that
is a good thing. If I was disappointed in the story, that would be
one thing. Or if I thought this ranked up there with The
Lord of the Rings
I would be rather suspicious of my evaluation. Instead, this is a
good story, told by someone who can tell good stories with some
pretty solid writing.
Anderson
has a tendency to slip into trite sayings, such as pursing
a wild goose chase.
If you think of the book more as a story, you can see how a character
could say that. But sometimes it does seem a bit forced.
Right
about the time that I read this book, I heard on Mars
Hill Audio
someone talking about a storytelling technique which Dostoiévski
used. It was for the author to tell a story through another
storyteller's words. That is how Anderson tells this story. He is a
passenger on a plane and a random passenger seated next to him tells
him a story of Crete.
 |
Places on Crete
|
The
Gentleman on the Plane
Background
of the Navy person flying to Greece, then on to Crete. He catches an
evening commercial flight out of New York to Athens. He is seated
next to a man also going to Crete who is ex-Navy and was stationed in
Crete. They talk about the Minoan
culture. The man on the plane offers to tell his story of his time on
Crete. So on with the story.
A
Fortunate Turn of Events
Erikson
talks about his assignment to Souda Bay
First
Impressions
The
base in Crete services and supplies the Sixth Fleet. When the Fleet
is not in or the supply cargo planes are not needing to be unloaded,
then there is a lot of time to relax. When either of those two are
in, it is busy.
Conversation
with Lt Carter who told him about the various places to relax. Also
responsibilities-such as being the duty officer a couple times a
month.
Meets
Petty Officer Jake Young, who would become a good friend as they
explored the island.
A
Conversation under the Stars
Describes
the routine of being in supply, particularly when a large amount of
supplies comes in and the Sixth Fleet arrives.
Erikson
approaches Young about his exploration of the island. A trip is
planned for the next weekend with Rosie and then the weekend after
with the gang.
Talks
about Young being a black and how so few are out in the wild. Talks
about Charles
Young-I
think Anderson got this in to bring up how Blacks were an integral
part of exploring and getting the West under control. This leads into
how there is less overt racism, but now lots of small “paper”
cuts. Anderson does this a lot throughout the story. He knows a lot
about the background of places and fits the story line to bring this
out.
Then
about grace and forgiveness-don’t they always go together?
Lots
of talk in the book about the ancient Minoan
culture.
The
Walk to the Monastery
Walking
with Rosie to the Gouverneto Monastery. Erikson learns more about
Rosie. Also the beginnings of interest in her. Places:
Aviaki
Gorge
Monastery
Katholiko-where St
John the Hermit
resided. I think this is John Xenos.
The
Trip to Zakros
Weekend
trip to Knossos-about the middle of Crete. Then Zakros, on the
eastern end of the island. They hike the Gorge of the Dead.
A
Night on the Town
Erikson
and the group will be touring Chania, then meet up with Fitz to meet
his girlfriend, Katrina, a German temporarily working on Crete.
Katrina becomes part of the group. Made plans for a new adventure as
well as helping at an orphanage.
The
Cemetery
Volunteering
for the orphanage. Wilmer is a no show after taking a load to the
dump-he was sleeping off a hangover. Fritz talks about the cemetery
which overlooks Chana. He tells the story of the boxer Max
Schmeling.
The
Ruins at Delphi
Three
day/two night trip to Delphi with Harry, Jake and the Erikson. Went
to the Archaeological Museum first.Next day visited the ruins/Oracle,
then climbed Mount Parnassus. Harry talks about Oedipus and King
Midas. I think this and the last chapter is so that Anderson can talk
about the myths and Schmeling.
They
went to Athens and wandered around the area before catching a flight
back.
Upon
arrival, Rosie wants to see Jake. She said the Fleet is coming next
week. Also that a man named Tobias who is at the monastery is passing
himself off as Austrian, but Katrina says that the accent is German.
Sarchos
One
of the supply people got injured in a car accident. Fleet kept
everybody busy for four weeks. The Abbot wants to see Jake. Planning
to go to Sarchos for a day hike. Sarchos is a cave which they
explored. They went about four miles in-did not get to the end of the
cave. The villagers treated them to dinner.
The
Abbot’s Tale
The
Abbot talked with Jake and Harry about a lost treasure. When the
Nazi’s occupied Crete they were intent on finding and taking
treasures. The Monastery had a shepherd who hid its treasure. But the
shepherd died without telling anyone where it was hidden. The
shepherd’s daughter was put into an orphanage. The Abbot knows that
this group likes a good challenge, so he is telling them about it.
Also there are some Germans who are trying to find Cretian treasures.
Can
We Trust a German
Dissecting
the words of the shepherd’s daughter about where the treasure could
possibly be. The Abbot had warned against trusting the Germans. Could
they trust Katrina? They would go into the area where the clues said
that the treasure could be on their next day off. They formed a plan.
Hiking
Down the Gorge
Benefit
basketball game is scheduled between base personnel and a local Greek
team. Jake, Pedro and Andy Erikson volunteered.
Most
of the chapter is about the search. They went to the village of
Omalos to scout around. But there was not really anything there,
except for a good cheese. None of the signs the daughter mentioned
were found.
The
next weekend they went down the Samaria Gorge. Anderson talks about
a church called the Church of Saint Nikolas. On Google Earth there is
a place there for Saint George-wondering if this is the same place.
There seems to be a lot of places dedicated to Saint Nikolas on the
island. They walked down the gorge, did not see any caves. Enjoyed
their time out.. Took a ferry back.
The
Big Game
Basketball
game. They lost to the Greeks, badly.
A
Haunted Place
Katrina
has a clue when a made up book called Myths
and Curses of the Caves of Crete
comes into her bookshop. The book mentions a cave between Omalos and
the Samaria Gorge. They found a cave. They explore the cave. It is
bigger and longer than the one at Sarchos. They go down, and meet a
side cave which they travel into-dead end. Then going down the main
cave further, they come to a dead end, but find a hole which goes
further. The first person has to be belayed. The rest follows. Who
belayed the last person? They come across a large underground lake.
Jake wades into the lake. A loud thumping noise starts in. Stops when
he retreats.
Apparently
these folks are pretty amateur spelunkers/rock climbers as the
technique is not what even beginner mountainers would use.
Planning
a Second Visit
Discussion
on what the sound was. Then what to do next-more equipment,
including a raft. They will return in two weeks. They informed Father
Petrakis of their plans in case they had an issue and needed
reducing.
Katrina
is organizing a four day Greek cruise.
Don’t
Pay the Ferryman
They
returned to the cave and made it down to the lake. Before going out,
Jake led them in prayer-some were Christians in the group and some
were not. There was a rockslide, which gave a scare, but no injury.
Cave went on beyond the lake. Raft only held two people, so they had
to shuttle across the lake-hence the joke about “Don’t Pay the
Ferryman.” More of the cave. Then they exited the cave. There were
some men with what looked like car trouble by the road. When the
group came out of the cave they left quickly.
They
decided to intersperse the search for treasure with other adventures.
Song:
Don't
Pay The Ferryman
by Chris
de Burgh
A
Casualty of the Cold War
Tobias
is found to not be an Austrian, but a German. The Abbot reveals that
the group were being spied on. Back story about Tobias. Abbott knows
the last name of the daughter. The group is going on a cruise.
Song:
Living
on an Island
by
Chris de Burgh
Cruising
the Islands
 |
Island Cruise
|
They
go on a four day cruise, leaving at sunset from Chania. First stop is
Santorini: Ruins at Akrotiri, Red Sand Beach, White Sand beach,
Vlychada Beach. Walked it with a taxi ride back to Vlychada Beach.
Then
the next day to Mykonos. Visited the Church of Paraportiani, Aegean
Maritime Museum, Manto
Mavrogenous city
square.
Third
day was Rhodes. Visited Lindos (acropolis), St Paul’s Bay, Anthony
Quinn Bay, then shopping and swimming.
There
would be some exploring of Crete for the treasure, but they would
also explore for other purposes as well.
The
Dog Days of Summer
Back
to the grind of supplying the 6th Fleet. Katrina’s German friends
arrived for a couple of weeks before going to Italy. They explored
areas together. It ends with Fritz thinking that Katrina’s friends
may take her back to Germany. Fritz has grown attached to her.
A
New Clue
More
work, but there is a clue about the treasure from Fritz working at
the orphanage. Fritz met a woman who knew the daughter of the
shepherd. Father Petrakis will look into the advisability of meeting
with the daughter. Rosie plans a trip to Patmos.
How
Can You Mend a Broken Heart
Fritz
got into a fight and was arrested. It started when he heard that
Katrina was going back to Germany. Andy talks with Rosie about his
feelings towards her. Rosie does not want a relationship.
Captain’s
Mast
Fritz
being confined to quarters puts a crimp in Rosie’s plans for
Patmos. Katrina is shook up over the effect she had on him. Fritz
goes before the Captain’s Mast. His punishment is reduction in pay
for two months and being confined to base for 45 days. He was still
able to meet with his friends on base, even Katrina.
The
Plot Thickens
The
gang goes to Chania and have lunch. Rosie and Katrina go shopping.
The rest have a meeting with the Abbot. Two Sisters were with the
Abbot who could tell them something about the daughter.
The
story: the elder Sister had transported the daughter to the Valley of
Amari. It involved the British who were aiding the Resistance against
the Germans. Sir
Patrick Michael Leigh Fermor
was on the island, aiding the Resistance-this guy looks interesting
enough in real life, let along in fiction. The part with Fermor is
interesting, but a bit non-sequitur to the story. There is a
reference to a massacre
of Kedros in the Valley of Amari.
The
Sister had dropped the daughter off with a monk. There was an aunt
with a daughter who knew of the daughter. They would meet with the
men a week from then.
A
Visit with the Cousin
Andy’s
roommate’s last day. They go to Kissamos with the Sisters to meet
with the daughter’s cousin. They met with her and she tried to
share as much as she could about her cousin. Effie feels like she can
now talk about it, even though it is troubling to her. It is decided
to try to travel to the Valley of Amari. The men and women have
dinner in Kissamos and discuss plans, both when Katrina leaves as
well as for the trip to Amari.
The
Long Goodbye
Effie’s
family will be going to Rethymno in two weekends. So the group is
planning on going to Amiri Valley then. Katrina leaving countdown.
Rosie is not as enamored with finding the treasure as the guys are.
Emotions are many as Katrina’s date draws near. The XO arranged for
Fritz to say one last goodbye to Katrina.
Amari
Valley
Trip
to Rethymno to meet with Effie and her family, including people who
might have known about the daughter. They stop at Ano Meros for the
monument about the massacre in the Amari Valley. Rethymno is by the
northern shore of Crete, about 15 miles away from Ano Meros. While
Ano Meros is directly south, closer to the southern shoreline, about
five miles. The Sisters and Effie’s family would make some
inquiries about the daughter while the Americans sightseed and hiked.
The
friends are realizing that their time on Crete is limited. Some of
the tours of duty will be ending in just a few months.
There
were no breakthroughs to the families inquiries. They updated the
Abbot. The Abbot notes that maybe the shepherd was not calling out
the name of his wife or daughter, but a gorge called Agia Irini.
There
are several names of villages which are not locatable on Google:
Thonos and Platania.
An
Unexpected Discovery
This
new twist perks the American’s interest as many of the clues line
up. Similar terrain as the Samaria Gorge. They enter midway-there is
a trailhead there. They went down the gorge for a couple of miles and
did not find anything. They found another clue in the upper canyon:
an old cypress tree. There was a small opening which they crawled
through.
There
they found the remains of the treasure: three panels with three
crosses. But there were signs that other treasures had been drug off.
They decide to leave this here and let the Abbot decide what to do.
The
Real Treasure
Perhaps
some mysteries are meant to remain just that.
Or maybe a mystery whose time is not yet come to be revealed. Either
way, this is a good line as there are sometimes which it is proper
for not everything to be revealed in real time or even after a period
of years. We as a society are in the midst of demanding transparency.
Sometimes transparency must wait and we must trust the people who
hold the secrets. That is why it is imperative that we have honorable
people in positions of power. Those positions used to be called
positions of trust.
This
chapter sums up what happened to each of the characters:
-
Fritz:
Left Crete within a month. Got stationed in Southern California. Saw
Katrina once, but it was not the same. He went in and out of alcohol
and relationships. Worked as a mechanic.
-
Katrina:
Married and that is the extent.
-
Jake:
Married, daughter named Rosie. Career Navy.
-
Harry:
Married, son named Jake. Career Navy.
Jake
and Harry will be meeting Andy in Crete. The reason: Rosie wanted her
ashes spread across Crete. Rosie got married, but could not conceive.
Her husband divorced her. Andy kept his relationship with her. She
got cancer. She died with her wish to be spread across Crete.
The
journey that matters most, not the destination.
This is something which I talk with fellow hikers about: do you hike
for the journey or for the location? As I have gotten older, it is
more the journey. But a lot of times the destination is fabulous as
well, and maybe not in the way I envisioned it.
An
Invitation
The
narrator is invited to meet Jake and Harry at the El Mondo bar. He
continues on to Athens for a couple of days before going to Crete.
And when he arrives, he makes sure to get to El Mondo to meet Andy
and his friends.
Evaluation:
First
the disclaimer. Don Anderson is a friend of mine. When I have read
books written by people whom I know, it is hard to be objective, both
ways. First, I read the book through the lens of the person rather
than the more imagining voice. Also there is a tendency to look at a
book through the lens of friendship rather than examining it for
quality. Third, you are likely to want to rate it both higher and
lower than it deserves. The higher because you enjoyed hearing his
voice in the book, but maybe lower, because it is not what you
expect. On with my evaluation.
I
want to get rid of the “negatives” first. If you are looking for
a book which gives you great and memorable sentences. This is not it.
If you are looking for a pure adventure book-well there is adventure
and seeking of lost treasure, but you might be better off with
another book. But if you are looking for a story told by a person who
knows how to tell a story, this is a book for you.
Anderson
was in the US Navy, stationed in Crete. While the story is not
autobiographical, there are elements in the book which reflect his
life experiences. This allows him to talk about places realistically
and in detail. This drew me in as a reader. Having served on Crete,
he also brings out life on a naval base. He creates personalities
which work within how people in the service work.
The
story is retold from the perspective of a passenger on a long flight
to his next assignment: the naval base in Crete. His seatmate was
once stationed there. For the flight from the States to Athens the
passenger gets to listen to his seatmate's tale, this story.
I
enjoyed the story. It was easy to read. Maybe a bit more of how the
Naval ranks are structured and the bases operate than I cared for,
but those are incidentals. The story flowed nicely and I was
entertained. Pick up the book and enjoy a good afternoon read.
Notes from my book group:
As
the author went through various places on Crete, which place sounded
of most interest to you?
The
group took in Katrina into their confidence, even though there is
suspicion and downright hostility towards Germans on Crete. How can
you tell if a person is trustworthy?
Jake
is a Black, but that does not seem to make much difference in how
either the characters of the story relate to him, nor the natives of
Crete. Is this a reflection on how the author relates to people
rather than actuality? Are relations in the Navy more colorblind than
in civilian life? Why do you think the author portrays relations this
way?
When
Jake enters the water, a thumping noise starts to happen. Any
speculation about the source of the noise?
Both
Fritz and Dave Wilmar have an alcohol problem. Is there any
resolution presented? Why do you think the author talks about their
problem? How does it affect the story?
What
was the Treasure of Crete? Would it matter who you asked this
question of?
When
you know the author, what is a good way to evaluate a story?
How
do you want your life to change because you read this book?
Many
of these questions are either from or adapted from LitLovers.
Why
the title of Treasure
of Crete?
Does
this story work as a mystery?
Did
the ending seem fitting? Satisfying? Predictable?
Which
character was the most convincing? Least?
Which
character did you identify with?
Which
one did you dislike?
Every
story has a world view. Were you able to identify this story’s
world view? What was it? How did it affect the story?
In
what context was religion talked about in this book?
Was
there anybody you would consider religious?
How
did they show it?
Was
the book overtly religious?
How
did it affect the book's story?
Why
do you think the author wrote this book?
What
would you ask the author if you had a chance?
What
“takeaways” did you have from this book?
Describe
the culture talked about in the book.
How
is the culture described in this book different than where we live?
How
did this book affect your view of the world?
Of
how God is viewed?
What
questions did you ask yourself after reading this book?
Talk
about specific passages that struck you as significant—or
interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad...?
What
was memorable?
Reading
Groups General Fiction Guide
