“And a Wake-up”: an exploration generational Cypriot guilt

Events & Activities 1974booksCyprus problemliteratureTop News “And a Wake-up”: an exploration generational Cypriot guilt Pavlos 2 Relevant News Convict serving drug sentence dies at Nicosia hospital 30 July 2026 “And a Wake-up”: an exploration generational Cypriot guilt 30 July 2026 Cyprus at the Commonwealth Games: History, boycotts, and best performances 30 July 2026 Sophia Neophitou 30 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Pavlos Pamborides’ novella And a Wake-up, explores the events surrounding 1974, illustrating the lives of those involved both before and after the invasion, giving deeper insight into the experience of generational guilt. The book itself is only 74 pages, including the preface, making it perfect to down in just a sitting. Despite its short length, the novella packs a large emotional punch, taking readers across Cyprus, as well as across time. Nicholas, the protagonist, a young soldier who lives in the aftermath of 1974 in Cyprus, must keep guard every day; readers are introduced shortly to ‘the other,’ a voice in Nicholas’ head that reveals hidden truths. Frightened, Nicholas flees his post, hoping to escape the voice, exploring much of Cyprus while ‘the other’ continues to haunt him, slowly uncovering deeper secrets. Pamborides’ novella explores generational guilt, with Nicholas discovering his father’s history and place in the coup of 1974. Themes of corruption, buried crimes, and familial consequences are brought up throughout the project, giving readers a deeper insight into life after the division. The fractured structure of the book, in regard to Nicholas’ own perspective, and the intertwinement of ‘the other’s’ tempting truths, brilliantly mirror the fractured nature of the island itself. Throughout the novella, a tense, almost guiltily nostalgic, atmosphere takes over as Pamborides illustrates the experience of his protagonist, whose life is still relatable to many on the island today. The familiar experiences of summer heat, diving into the sea, eating leftover souvlaki, among more, allow readers to connect to the character of Nicholas, and feel as though they are on the journey alongside him. Pamborides comments on the role and treatment of women pre-division, along with the mistreatment of them by male figures in the novella. It was particularly interesting to see the connection made between women who made space for themselves in a place where they were not expected to be, and men who were regarded as ‘weaker’ by the antagonist of the novella. Misogyny is delicately critiqued in the novel, despite the male focus of the book. Pamborides brilliantly comments on male violence and its normalisation, with Nicholas, despite being disgusted by memories of violence revealed by ‘the other,’ still resorting to violence when least needed. This, ironically, involved a monk who seemed to act as a symbol for the use of religion as an excuse for wrongdoing, an act prevalent even to this day. Nicholas’ act of violence is seemingly used by Pamborides to show the absurdity of violence and again, the normalisation of it across the island, with Nicholas showing no remorse for his act against the monk. The novella seems to depict and critisise patterns seen across Cyprus, even to this day, in a subtle, yet powerful, manner, allowing the ending of the novel to act as not only a reminder of the road taken by those before us, but as a warning to what could still become very real again today. Pamborides’ project is worth the read, a short, yet detailed insight into the past, and the events surrounding the 1974 invasion. It can be purchased here. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Convict serving drug sentence dies at Nicosia hospital Cyprus at the Commonwealth Games: History, boycotts, and best performances A new face in the Cyprus talks: Who is EU envoy Raffaele Fitto? Protaras Riviera: Summer in its most authentic form Cyprus health app to include emergency button from November From Latchi to Tillyria: Paphos’ most authentic side Nina Bandelj: We don’t see children as people, but as capital we invest in Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.