Review: The Failure by Antonis Samarakis

Review of the book “The Failure” by Antonis Samarakis.

The Verdict, by Greek author Antonis Samarakis, is a literary work that takes us into an oppressive world full of injustice, in which bureaucracy and government authoritarianism are the protagonists. Published in 1961, this novel became a great success both in Greece and in other countries.

The story begins with an ordinary man, without resources or influence, who is accused of a crime he did not commit. After his arrest, he finds himself caught up in a bureaucratic labyrinth that will take him from one department to another, facing corrupt and authoritarian officials who will do everything possible to convict him, regardless of the lack of evidence that could prove his innocence.

As the plot progresses, the author’s criticism of the Greek society of the time, characterized by corruption and lack of freedom, becomes evident. Samarakis uses the main character to represent the struggle of the individual against an oppressive system that has condemned him a priori, without allowing him to defend himself.

The novel is, in short, a work about injustice and oppression, as well as about an individual’s struggle against the system. The author, who experienced first-hand the consequences of oppression in his country, manages to convey to the reader the feeling of desperation and desolation that is felt in a world where justice is only an illusion.

Antonis Samarakis (1919-2003) was a Greek writer and political activist, considered one of the most important figures of 20th-century Greek literature. He was born in Athens and studied Law and Literature at the University of Athens. During World War II, he joined the Greek resistance and fought against the Nazi occupation in Greece.

In 1949, Samarakis published his first collection of short stories, entitled When the Earth Opened. Throughout his career, he published numerous works, including novels, short stories, essays, and plays. Among his best-known works are The Failure (1963), Point Zero (1954), and The Murdered Brother (1964).

Samarakis was a politically engaged writer and was interested in the social and political issues of his time. He was an active member of the Communist Party of Greece and was persecuted and imprisoned several times for his political ideas. He was also a defender of human rights and was involved in the fight against the military dictatorship that ruled Greece between 1967 and 1974.

In his works, Samarakis addressed themes such as political oppression, the struggle for freedom, alienation and social injustice. His literary style is critical and satirical, and he frequently uses absurdity and humour to criticise the shortcomings of Greek society and government.

In short, The Verdict is a masterpiece of Greek literature, which crudely shows the reality of an oppressive and bureaucratic society. A must read for those who want to understand the consequences of the lack of freedom and justice in a society.