The Aegean Quartet

The Aegean Quartet is an adventurous, robust tale of an American's spiritual quest through the storied Aegean islands which culminates in the secluded monastic republic of Mount Athos, sometimes called the "Shangri-La of Greece." Embracing Henry Miller's belief that Greece is critically important for every man seeking to find himself, Alexander Markos begins his quest in Aegina, where he meets Theoni, an uninhibited disciple of the pagan god Dionysus. In Paros, he becomes the uncomfortable target at a comical match-making dinner. In Chios, he becomes involved with Efrosini, the blind artist daughter of a fisherman. Eventually, Markos arrives at Mount Athos where the mysterious monk Demetrios helps him weave a web of spiritual philosophy by melding elements of faith, reason, and intuition. At the monk's urging, Markos makes the hazardous climb to the crest of the 6,670-foot holy mountain -- a fourth element -- in the hope of experiencing the mystical fusion needed to succeed in his quest.