Before I read "Children of War" by Ahmet Yorulmaz, I was not aware of the plight of Cretes, particularly Muslim Cretes in the constant struggle between Turkey and Greece. Half autobiographical, the book narrates the violence and instability of existence for a young Crete male as he grows up in a small town. What struck me most is the duality of national versus personal identity and how state systems use the two against each other. Because the man is Muslim, he is banned from being a Greek. A sentimental read on a often not discussed topic!