"Eleni" By Nicholas Gage

Описание: "Eleni" is a memoir written by Nicholas Gage that tells the story of his mother's life and tragic death during the Greek Civil War. The book takes the reader through the events leading up to the war, as well as the devastating consequences that it had on Gage's family.The book opens with a prologue that describes Gage's return to his hometown in Greece as an adult, and his realization that his mother's death was not an accident, but rather a murder committed by communist rebels during the civil war. This sets the stage for the rest of the book, which delves into Gage's mother's life and the events that led to her untimely death.The first section of the book focuses on Eleni's early life in a small Greek village, where she grew up in poverty and dreamed of a better life. Eleni was a bright and ambitious young woman, but her dreams were cut short when she was forced into an arranged marriage at the age of 15. Despite this setback, Eleni remained determined to improve her life and the lives of her children.The second section of the book describes the events leading up to the Greek Civil War, which began in 1946. The war was fought between the Greek government and communist rebels, and was fueled by the post-World War II political climate and the Soviet Union's desire to spread communism. Gage provides a detailed account of the political and social tensions that led to the outbreak of the war, as well as the impact that it had on ordinary Greek citizens like Eleni and her family.The third section of the book focuses on Eleni's heroic efforts to protect her children during the war. As the conflict intensified, Eleni became increasingly worried about the safety of her children, who were at risk of being recruited by the communist rebels. She decided to take matters into her own hands and made a dangerous journey to the city of Athens in order to obtain false identity papers for her family. This act of bravery ultimately saved her children's lives, but it also put her in grave danger.The final section of the book details the events leading up to Eleni's death. After the war ended, Eleni's husband returned home and was suspected of collaborating with the communist rebels. He was eventually arrested and executed, leaving Eleni to raise their children on her own. However, Eleni's troubles were far from over. In 1957, she was arrested by the authorities and accused of aiding the communist rebels during the war. She was tortured and imprisoned for months before being executed by a firing squad. Gage's account of his mother's death is heart-wrenching and poignant, and serves as a powerful reminder of the brutality and inhumanity of war.Overall, "Eleni" is a compelling and emotional memoir that provides a vivid and detailed account of one family's experiences during the Greek Civil War. Gage's writing is clear and concise, and he does an excellent job of bringing his mother's story to life. The book is both a personal tribute to his mother and a historical document that sheds light on a little-known chapter of Greek history. It is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, and a testament to the courage and resilience of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary adversity.