Once We Were Here: A Novel
Oct 2020 · Sold by Simon and Schuster
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7 reviews
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360
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About this ebook
As World War II intrudes upon their home, three young friends risk everything for freedom, love, and a chance at a better life.
On October 28th, 1940, Mussolini provides Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas with an ultimatum: either allow Axis forces to occupy their country, or face war, and Greece's response is swift. "Oxi!" they say. "No!"
In a small village nestled against the radiant waters of the Aegean Sea, we find Alexei, the son of a local fisherman, and his best friend Costa, who were both born on the same night eighteen years earlier and have been like brothers ever since, though now, like all the other young men in their village and throughout Greece, they will leave their homes to bravely fight for their country.
But before they go, Alexei asks Philia, the girl that he's loved his entire life, to marry him, which sets into motion the events which will change the lives of these three and their family and friends forever, and begins an epic and unforgettable story of courage, survival, sacrifice, the strength of the human spirit, and of a love and friendship that will echo across time and generations.
A spellbinding novel and sweeping romance that performs the remarkable feat of creating action-packed scenes, characters that we care deeply about, and revealing in vivid detail the untold true story of how Greece helped the Allies to win World War II, Once We Were Here is an unforgettable tale that pays tribute to the brave men and women who fought and gave everything for their country, for each other, and for freedom.
On October 28th, 1940, Mussolini provides Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas with an ultimatum: either allow Axis forces to occupy their country, or face war, and Greece's response is swift. "Oxi!" they say. "No!"
In a small village nestled against the radiant waters of the Aegean Sea, we find Alexei, the son of a local fisherman, and his best friend Costa, who were both born on the same night eighteen years earlier and have been like brothers ever since, though now, like all the other young men in their village and throughout Greece, they will leave their homes to bravely fight for their country.
But before they go, Alexei asks Philia, the girl that he's loved his entire life, to marry him, which sets into motion the events which will change the lives of these three and their family and friends forever, and begins an epic and unforgettable story of courage, survival, sacrifice, the strength of the human spirit, and of a love and friendship that will echo across time and generations.
A spellbinding novel and sweeping romance that performs the remarkable feat of creating action-packed scenes, characters that we care deeply about, and revealing in vivid detail the untold true story of how Greece helped the Allies to win World War II, Once We Were Here is an unforgettable tale that pays tribute to the brave men and women who fought and gave everything for their country, for each other, and for freedom.
As World War II intrudes upon their home, three young friends risk everything for freedom, love, and a chance at a better life.
On October 28th, 1940, Mussolini provides Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas with an ultimatum: either allow Axis forces to occupy their country, or face war, and Gre...
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Ratings and reviews
7 reviews
brf1948
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October 20, 2020
We find ourselves in the small coastal fishing village of Agria in Greece, in October 1940, and view life through the eyes of Alexei, a young man, Alexei is a well-read youngster, his heroes are Homer and Aeschylus, Achilles, Odysseus, and Alexander... And his biggest hero, his fisherman father Iannis is also a hero, larger than life. He and his best friend Costa have spent their entire youth training together as long-distance runners, with a dream of Olympic medals in their future, and Alexei is a well-trained fisherman and sponge diver, taking up the slack on the family fishing boat as his father slows down with age and the after-effects of WWI injuries. Alexei has also found his life's partner, Philia Karras, daughter of the richest man in the town, and he has already picked out the family goat he will offer her father in exchange for her hand. Big dreams, huh? And then first the Italian army and then that of Germany work their way through Greece on their way to Athens. Young Greeks answered the call and were able to turn the Italian army back, but they were outnumbered and out equipped by the German machine. Now they must figure out how to retreat and hold their world together as war comes again to Europe and the Middle East. I received a free electronic copy of the ARC of this excellent historical novel from Netgalley, Christopher Cosmos, and Skyhorse Publishing. thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Once We Were Here of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work Christopher Cosmos writes a compelling tale with well-researched background and characters who will warm your heart.
Alan Dibley
- Flag inappropriate
November 9, 2023
Should be read by everyone who prizes freedom.
About the author
CHRISTOPHER COSMOS was raised in the Midwest and attended the University of Michigan as the recipient of a Chick Evans Scholarship. He is also a screenwriter and has had his work featured in the annual Black List of best Hollywood screenplays of the year. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
CHRISTOPHER COSMOS was raised in the Midwest and attended the University of Michigan as the recipient of a Chick Evans Scholarship. He is also a screenwriter and has had his work featured in the annual Black List of best Hollywood screenplays of the year. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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