Towards the end of 1940, the young meteorologist Haris Chomatas decides to systematically study the climate of Athens, hoping that one day, based on his findings, the city will be redeveloped as much as possible. Shortly thereafter, agronomist Antonis Asteriadis begins an equally exhaustive research on the vegetable gardens of the capital, highlighting their decisive role during the war period, but also hoping to promote their post-war development. Both of them roam the neighborhoods of Athens and spend "most of the terrible occupation years" collecting data.
The two researchers meet and become friends. Both experience the political conflicts of the time, but refuse to choose sides, insisting on focusing on their scientific work for the benefit of society. With such mindsets, they become politically isolated and threatened from all sides.
Chomatas and Asteriadis are fictional transformations of real people. Post-war Athens was neither redeveloped from scratch nor acquired new vegetable gardens - however, we, the readers, gain on the one hand an insight into what it means to be obsessed with scientific research and on the other a view of the Occupation that diverges from the usual stereotypes. Therefore, this novel can safely be accused of not adhering to the healthy, heroic, and moral principles upon which the prevailing occupation history "of both hemispheres" is based, as Aris Alexandrou would write.