Reviews

• AP World History Review: A Great History of the Armenian Genocide

  The Road from Home is a very good book about the Armenian Genocide. It provides a moving perspective on the awful events that were perpetrated against the Armenians. The Life of Veron Dumehjian is one that is filled with grief and this feeling is conveyed throughout the book as it relates the experiences that she had to endure while living in Turkey. Although it is not a direct account by Veron, it is written by her son, David Kherdian, who does a good job relating her story. It explains in full detail the horrible conditions of the camps the Armenians were forced onto and shows the massive effect the genocide had on the Armenian people. This book attempts to show just one of the many lives that were devastated by the genocide. Kherdian successfully accomplishes this goal by describing the aftermath of the genocide and his mothers very low status within Turkey. The main message that is conveyed throughout the piece is that many social groups condensed into a small area can lead to conflict. Kherdian shows time and time again examples of how the different cultures struggled to peacefully coexist in the same country leading one group to oppress the other. Although Kherdian successfully shows these points, his ending of the book is one major downfall of his work. As the book ends, Veron makes plans to move to America to live with her soon to be husband. However, the book cuts itself short before she gets the opportunity to move to the U.S. and raise her family. It the goes on to briefly explain her life after the genocide in a short paragraph. Although it is not necessary to fully detail her life within the U.S., Kherdian still should have included a larger area in the book to describing his mothers life within the U.S. and how she was treated once arriving there. Amid this shortcoming, Kherdian still manages to make this book a must read for anyone who wants to learn about the effects of the Armenian Genocide on a person who survived. This book remains as one of the best ways to learn about the atrocities that were committed during the Armenian Genocide.

• The Girl With The Light: Veron from Azizya

  This is a story told by the son about his mother and the light that guided her through the death march of Armenians in Turkey. Turkey is beautiful and to heal this story could be read and discussed in schools in Turkey. The light of healing comes by acknowledging and owning up to misguided decisions. These decisions plague Turkey today.

• One of the best

  This is one of the best first-hand accounts about the Genocide that I've read. FINALLY, a book was written about it for younger people. Once I start teaching, this will definitely be on my list of required reading. Kherdian started off a bit slow--I wasn't sure I'd get through it. But once I hit page 20, I couldn't put it down! It was captivating, touching. I just wanted Veron to be okay--to be able to understand what was going on. For her to survive. Only two books have ever managed to bring tears to my eyes, and this was one of them. Even though I'm not Armenian, I've read countless books about both Armenia and the Genocide. This definitely is one of the best. It's easy to understand (though the fact that it happened is still so difficult for me to comprehend). If you're an Armenian parent (or grandparent!) struggling to tell your teen about it, this book will help greatly. I highly recommend it. Kherdian should be given high praises for having the courage to pen this book.

• Armenian experience

  I lived in Armenia for over a year and I know how the Armenians feel about the genocide and the part it plays in their history. I enjoyed reading this book.

• My favorite book since age 12!

  This was the first "true story" type of book that I ever read at age 12. At age 32, I still love this book and was thrilled to find a collectible (signed) copy available to buy. It obviously made a lasting impression on me. In school, I can recall being made to read "The Diary of Anne Frank". That book, also, touched me deeply, however I would like to see THIS book added to a required reading list for students, as it clearly and emotionally illustrates war through the eyes of a young girl as no book I have ever read has done. It leaves a lasting impression on children and adults alike. I am sharing my copy with both of my children and hope that it illicits the same response in them as it did in me causing them to be much more AWARE of what goes on in the world around them. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

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