The Story

'Ειρηνικά' (which translates to 'The Peaceful Ones' or 'Pacific') follows Nikolaos, a Greek officer, during World War I. We meet him not in a dramatic charge, but in the muddy, stagnant trenches of the Macedonian front. The plot moves at the pace of trench life: slow, repetitive, and tense. It's less about epic battles and more about the daily grind—dealing with bad food, the freezing cold, and the eerie silence that feels more threatening than gunfire. Nikolaos watches his men change, not from heroic actions, but from the soul-crushing weight of endless waiting and the creeping realization of war's pointless destruction.

Why You Should Read It

Polemes, who served as an officer himself, writes with an authenticity you can feel. He doesn't shout about the horrors of war; he lets you sit in the quiet dread of it. The power is in the details: the sound of rain on a tin helmet, the shared glance between soldiers who have run out of words. Nikolaos is a compelling guide because he's thoughtful and weary, trying to hold onto his humanity in a situation designed to strip it away. This book flips the script on war narratives—it argues that sometimes the hardest fight is against despair and meaninglessness.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who prefer psychological depth over action sequences. If you enjoyed the quiet intensity of Erich Maria Remarque's 'All Quiet on the Western Front' or the focused, human-scale drama in Hemingway's short stories, you'll find a kindred spirit in Polemes. It's a short, powerful read for anyone interested in WWI history, Greek literature, or simply a masterfully written character study about endurance. Just be prepared—it’s a quiet book that leaves a loud echo.