A new novel by Cyprus-born Australian actor, teacher and author Luke Icarus Simon is shedding light on the personal and political fallout of Cyprus’s division through the lens of a coming-of-age story.

The Art In My Palm blends fiction, memoir, dual narration and historical events to follow the life of Demosthenes, a teenager growing up in Nicosia during the lead-up to the 1974 invasion.

The book follows main character Demosthenes and his displacement from Cyprus to Australia.

It explores how war, family trauma, and cultural alienation shape his adolescence.

The narrative spans the streets of Old Nicosia to suburbs in Australia, where Demosthenes grapples with the legacy of abuse, the silence surrounding his sexuality, and the challenges of forging identity in a new country.

As the 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion is marked in 2025, the novel presents a reflection on intergenerational trauma, queer identity, and the role of art in reclaiming agency and voice after forced migration.

Simon celebrated his 11th birthday on the day of the second invasion – a day he’ll never forget.

“The Art in My Palm reflects my lived experience as someone who survived the 1974 invasion of Cyprus,” he said in statement sent to Neos Kosmos.

“My 11th birthday was the same day as the second Invasion and remains the most frightening day of my life as it marked the last straw.

“As it were we had been displaced several times and in desperation rented an unfinished house in a Nicosia suburb we thought would be safe, only for the second invasion to force us to flee that unfinished house for a refugee camp.

“In many ways, my novel has been in gestation since that horrendous day.”

The Stage 4 cancer survivor said he feels a strong responsibility to give voice to the experiences of displaced Cypriots like himself.

“Too often, our stories are reduced to statistics or political talking points,” he said.

“But we are real people—our memories, families, language, and identities were all profoundly affected, and the psychological toll has stayed with us for over five decades.”

Simon hopes his first novel offers more than just a personal narrative but also contributes to broader conversations about what Cyprus has endured, especially to younger generations.

The Art In My Palm releases worldwide on September 14, 2025 followed by releases in other formats in October and December.