Let's talk about a book that deserves to be much better known outside of Greece. Penelope Delta's Παραμύθι χωρίς όνομα (A Fairytale Without a Name) is a classic there, and after reading it, I completely understand why. It has that timeless, slightly eerie quality of the best fairy tales.

The Story

The setup is simple and brilliant. In a faraway kingdom, a Prince and Princess are born. But in the excitement, everyone forgets to give them names. Worse, a strange spell makes the entire kingdom forget that names even exist. The story follows these two nameless royals as they grow up feeling a profound emptiness. They know something is missing, but they can't quite grasp what. Their journey to reclaim their identities—and by extension, the kingdom's lost memory—takes them through enchanted forests, into confrontations with magical beings, and deep into a mystery about loss, language, and self.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't just a kids' book. Delta uses the fairy tale format to explore something deep: what happens when the stories we tell about ourselves vanish? The Prince and Princess aren't just looking for labels; they're searching for their place in the world's narrative. Their loneliness is palpable, and their determination is moving. Delta's writing (in translation, for those of us not reading the original Greek) has a clear, poetic rhythm that makes you feel like you're being told an old secret. It's a quiet book, but its questions about identity, memory, and heritage are loud and lasting.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who loved the philosophical undercurrents of The Little Prince or the mythic feel of older folklore collections. If you enjoy stories that are deceptively simple on the surface but rich with meaning underneath, this is for you. It's a short, powerful read that proves some of the biggest truths come packaged in the smallest, most magical tales. Don't let the publication date fool you—this 1911 story feels incredibly fresh.