corfu

Through Spiros’ intimacy with the family, his son Michalis became close to Gerald, Leslie and Lawrence Durrell and enduring after his father’s death from pneumonia in 1940, he enjoyed a longstanding relationship with them. He also made several friends since the Durrells had numerous guests on the island. These include the controversial American author Henry Miller and the English novelist Mary Stewart. The latter made a dedication to Michalis in the Corfu set novel mentioning that “Among the many debts I have incurred while writing this book, two are outstanding.
I should like to thank especially Mr Michael Halikiopoulos, Director of the Corfu Tourist Services for all his kindness and for the help he gave me” (This Rough Magic, 1964).