My Armenian Friend

(Paperback)

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Description

My Armenian Friend is a moving and nostalgic story about how one friendship can shift our perspective and irrevocably change our lives.

Set in Siberia in the 1970s during the decline of the Soviet Empire, the adult narrator looks back on a childhood friendship formed with an Armenian boy called Vardan. The narrator becomes Vardan's protector, for the young Armenian's maturity and sensitivity make him a target for schoolyard bullies. The narrator is welcomed by Vardan's family living in exile in a diverse neighbourhood populated by former prisoners, exhausted adventurers and many who have been forcibly uprooted from their homes. Touching anecdotes characterise this text, and powerful memories blending reality and myth are used to recreate a 'kingdom of Armenia' that will have a lasting impact upon the author.

Reviews

'My Armenian Friend is Andre Makine's most moving novel yet' -- Christian Authier, Figaro
'One of Makine's best books; a wonderful novel on exile and failed destinies' -- Jean-Claude Raspiengeas, France Inter
'A classic text in its style, but full of mysterious charm' -- Raphalle Rrolle, Le Monde

Author Bio

Russian-born Andrei Makine is the author ofLe Testament Francais (Dreams of my Russian Summers) (1995), his fourth novel and the first book to win both the Prix Goncourt and the Prix Medicis. All of Makine's novels have been translated into English by Geoffrey Strachan. Makine was elected to seat 5 of the Academie Francaise on March 3, 2016, succeeding Assia Djebar.Geoffrey Strachan is best known for his renderings of the novels of Andrei Makine. He has translated works by Yasmina Reza (author ofArt), Elie Wiesel, Jerome Ferrari and Nathacha Appanah. He has won the Scott-Moncrieff Prize (for French translation) and the Schlegel-Tieck Prize (for German translation).