Kronos

The author of Nile delivers a smooth commercial novel, despite characters that aren't quite lifelike and unpolished, cliche-ridden prose. As the Civil War rages around their remote Greek village, beautiful 19-year-old Marika follows an age-old secret formula for ensuring eternal love: she seduces her leftist lover, Christos Kronos, in the magical Cave of the Great Goddess. But Christos's brother, Yorgos, as full of love for Marika as he is consumed with hatred for Christos, follows them there, and the three are bound forever in a hopeless triangle. Christos leaves on a raid but is captured by soldiers led by Yorgos. Pregnant, thinking Christos either faithless or dead, Marika marries Yorgos. Her decision brings anguish to Christos, who, having escaped to America, is unaware of her plight. Eventually, during the politically volatile '60s, both brothers rise, Yorgos with the military junta that takes control of Greece, Christos toward a seat in the U.S. Congress; a strike by an unsuspected enemy strips both of power. Infusing all is the ersatz flavor of Devine's Greece, served up as a mythic being who alternately cherishes and consumes his children with the capriciousness of the ancient gods. (Jan.)