The Greek shadow theater, having grown out of the spirit and wisdon of the anonymous folk of the Eastern Mediterranean, is the oldest existing theater in modern Greece. The Bitter-Sweet Art provides all-round information about the origins and development of this fascinating, traditional theater. The book contains ethnographical material, biographical sketches of shadow-theater players, and descriptions of sets and figures. A translation of both a play and a narrative based on the life of a shadow-theater player gives a vivid picture of the inner-word of this theater. Included also is a commentary on the plays and their method of presentation. Amply illustrated, the book is a spicy contribution to the study of folk theater art.