Chris Bohjalian
That's a wonderful question -- and in my case easy to answer.
I am a descendant of two survivors of the Armenian Genocide: my grandparents. Like so many survivors, they took most of their stories to their graves. Oh, we know bits and pieces. But there are great, gaping holes in the narrative because some elements were, apparently, too painful to share.
For instance, my grandfather had three brothers -- and we know nothing about what happened to them. Likewise, we have almost no specifics about how my grandmother and her mother survived after her father was executed by Ottoman soldiers and their horse farm and home were confiscated.
Certainly that idea of "mystery" was integral in the tone of my novel, "The Sandcastle Girls."
But there might be one more book to write about that part of my family history. We'll see.
Thanks for asking.
I am a descendant of two survivors of the Armenian Genocide: my grandparents. Like so many survivors, they took most of their stories to their graves. Oh, we know bits and pieces. But there are great, gaping holes in the narrative because some elements were, apparently, too painful to share.
For instance, my grandfather had three brothers -- and we know nothing about what happened to them. Likewise, we have almost no specifics about how my grandmother and her mother survived after her father was executed by Ottoman soldiers and their horse farm and home were confiscated.
Certainly that idea of "mystery" was integral in the tone of my novel, "The Sandcastle Girls."
But there might be one more book to write about that part of my family history. We'll see.
Thanks for asking.
More Answered Questions
Carol
asked
Chris Bohjalian:
Sorry and after all that blathering blabber, I forgot to ask my question(s): Can you please share what book(s) you have extreme envy that you didn't write yourself? Also, I would love to know other than research, reading, asking questions and being curious and thoughtful, is there anything you do mentally to prepare, meditation, exercise and anything about your routine? Thank you!
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