A few years ago, I discovered Cavafy while reading about Auden, and as a person of Greek descent, his work instantly resonated with me. I spent months hunting down a rare Russian edition, captivated by the promise of his poetic world. Yet, despite my best efforts, I never quite felt connected—until now.

This biography by Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys transformed my relationship with Cavafy. It wasn’t just another recounting of dates and events; it was a thematic exploration that brought the man behind the poems to life. I found myself reaching for the well-worn volumes on my shelf, finally feeling and understanding everything I’d been reading all these years.

Admittedly, the narrative sometimes meanders—every other passage, the authors indulge in cinematic, romantic musings about Cavafy’s elusive love interests. Yet, rather than detracting from the work, these digressions add a dreamlike quality that mirrors the poet’s own enigmatic nature. I wholeheartedly understand the temptation to romanticize his life, and I might have done the same.

What truly impressed me was the structure of the book. Rather than following a straightforward chronological path, the thematic approach allowed me to appreciate not only Cavafy as a person but also the vibrant tapestry of the Greek diaspora across Alexandria, Constantinople, Britain, and Europe. This broader cultural context enriched my understanding of the poet’s world and deepened the impact of his verses.

While the book is undeniably dense, every page rewards the careful reader. I barely managed to finish it in the 60 days allotted for the advanced reader copy—a journey that was as challenging as it was satisfying. For anyone willing to invest the time, I recommend pairing it with a volume of Cavafy’s poetry and exploring the wealth of material available through the online Onassis Foundation. This combination truly brings the full spectrum of Cavafy’s genius to life.

A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy that made this journey possible.

**Constantine Cavafy** offers a compelling glimpse into the life of one of Greece's most significant modern poets. Born in Alexandria, Cavafy experienced both wealth and hardship after his father’s death, moving between Istanbul, Liverpool, London, and Paris before settling back in Alexandria. His long clerical job at the Ministry of Public Works afforded him time to craft poetry that blended historical reflection with personal honesty.

Fluent in English, Greek, and French, Cavafy wrote with a unique voice—direct, introspective, and unflinchingly honest about his desires and relationships. His poems, often shared privately rather than published, reflect his fascination with Hellenistic history and his determination to express his truth. While some admired his bold exploration of identity and history, others criticized his unconventional style.

Despite mixed reception during his lifetime, Cavafy’s influence endures, with admirers like E. M. Forster and George Seferis recognizing his brilliance. This biography paints a vivid portrait of a poet who valued sincerity above all, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable introspection and cultural insight.

Constantine Cavafy is a brilliant, meticulously researched and documented biography of a famous modern Greek poet. Cavafy was born in Alexandria and lived there for much of his life. As a boy, he was a member of a wealthy Greek family due to his father's business acumen, but when his father died, the business was no longer successful. Cavafy's family moved to Istanbul, and they also lived in Liverpool, traveled to London and Paris, and eventually moved back to Alexandria after the British destroyed much of the city. Cavafy worked as a clerk for the Ministry of Public Works for many years, and this not terribly difficult job gave him time to pursue his writing, described by more than one critic as a combination of poetry and prose.

Due to his years living in England, Cavafy was fluent in English. Although he was a Greek native speaker, it was not his most useful language, and he also spoke excellent French. Cavafy was a self-absorbed student and a vulnerable writer of contradictions of personality. Some readers felt he used what was to be called a stream-of-consciousness method of delivery. Others felt that as a writer, he was direct, intense, and unfailingly honest. As an open homosexual, Cavafy also wrote truthfully about his relationships and friendships. He could, according to his acquaintances and critics, use his own verbiage and point of view without influence; his writing was honest and natural. In his erotic poems, it was important for him to openly write poems that considered desire and love.

Oddly, most of Cavafy's poems were either never published, or they were handed out to friends and acquaintances who, as time went on, appreciated the gifts of such astonishing poetry. Cavafy was a learned historian. He particularly appreciated the Hellenistic period of Greece, and his vast knowledge of history helped him craft poems with historic emphases.

Cavafy was a vulnerable and charming man who could sometimes be kind and supportive. At other times, he was rather stiff and distant. But he was always driven to explain himself in poetry. Of the papers he left behind, many were destroyed, and he requested that others be saved as part of his legacy. Supporters of his, such as E. M. Forster and the Greek poet and playwright Sikelianos, and many other lesser Greek poets, were astonished at Cavafy's perspective and abilities. Cavafy also met Kazantzakis, W. H. Auden, and the famous Greek poet and Nobel prize winner, George Seferis, who admired Cavafy greatly. Others condemned him as a Karagiozis, a foolish and clown-like and popular shadow puppet.

Cavafy's oeuvre presents itself as a combination of seeing himself as a hero and as a victim. but, his work is a rich combination of his sincerity and determination to be truthful. Although Cavafy appreciated his supporters and devotees, what struck him most heartily was being true to himself.

Constantine Cavafy is a comprehensive, rich, and definitive examination of a complex and self-aware poet who had a distinct effect on the writing of his era. He sometimes struggled with his perspective on his subjects, but what was most important to him was his self-honesty.

Thank you to Cambridge University Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this finely written book and its clear description of a poet who gave us a focused perspective of his surroundings.