Told through the eyes of an observant and resilient boy,
the book begins with the German seizure of Athens in
1941. Grim events of war, displacement, and exile never
extinguish the curiosity – even the joys – of his childhood.
Compelling writing mixes reality and fantasy to concoct a
memorable tribute to the human spirit, from Asia Minor to
Greece to Canada.
— Douglas Babington, the Bivouac Prayers.
“The ugliest phases of the Civil War were just beginning. It would pit
household against household, village against village, and sometimes,
brother against brother. The blood-letting would go on and on.
The adults seemed to sense that all of this was going to happen
and they only spoke in muted tones.” — Tasouli
With curiosity and humor Tasouli tells us about his life, including stories
about his cat the Resistance hero, the intricate relationships between
a young Jewish physician, German offi cers, and Greek partisan
communists and their British captives. A strange character appears
in his dreams, sometimes supportive, sometimes terrifying, and they
develop a strong bond. Occupation Child is ultimately about how a
child views hunger, language, politics and love.