Evicted From Eden

A Journey Through Cyprus: History, Memory, and the Search for Reunification.

Spanning two centuries, this powerful narrative by Michael Attalides traces the intertwined story of an island and a family. Beginning with the execution of an ancestor by the Ottoman rulers in 1821, the narrative unfolds through colonial subjugation, nationalist struggle, independence, and the enduring trauma of division.

As a sociologist, diplomat, and engaged citizen, Attalides offers a unique perspective, both deeply personal and politically insightful, on the modern history of Cyprus. From his boyhood under British rule to the devastation of the 1974 Turkish invasion and his lifelong commitment to the island’s reunification, he reflects on key issues and turning points with clarity, sensitivity, and unflinching honesty.

This is more than a memoir. It is a chronicle of transformation: Of a people evolving from subjects of empires into citizens of a republic and, ultimately, European citizens . It is also a testimony to resilience, as Attalides recounts his own exile from his beloved Karpasia and his decades of public service, including his role among “the President’s Men” during efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

With the discerning eye of a sociologist and the clarity of a seasoned diplomat, Attalides paints a compelling portrait of a divided island and the enduring hope for its reunification.