The article analyzes the novel “The Dead Are Awaiting” by the modern Greek writer Dido Sotiriou. The analysis focuses on the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922, as well as the Catastrophe in Asia Minor. The main focus of the analysis is the perception of the historical events by the main characters of the novel. Political events are scrutinized in the context of the life of the Magi family. The narrator is Aliki Magi, who tries to create a historically accurate picture of events, and at the same time to assess them. The object of perception is the narrator's childhood memories. The article also discusses the so-called «effect of certainty», which is of an utmost importance for the author. Special attention is paid to the interpretation of the family conflict in terms of the war with the Ottoman Empire, which is in many ways ironic and satirical.