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The Financial Express, India
February 3, 2013 Sunday
A lesson in history
by Akul Akhoury
Gray Wolves and White Doves
John Balian
Tranquebar Press: Rs 295, Pp 398
Gray Wolves and White Doves closely depicts the tumultuous phase of
inter-war and post-war central Asia. And amid all this, the focus is
on the plight of the common man
"It is said that the best fiction usually involves strong elements of
true-life experiences, and Gray Wolves and White Doves is no
different. The premise of the book is based on my life experiences. It
is also said that everyone has a book hidden inside. This book is
clearly the one I needed to release from within me," said John D
Balian, explaining his intent behind writing the book, to an Armenian
magazine.
Balian's book is based on the story of a bright teen-Hannah Ibelin aka
Jonah Ibelinian-abandoned by his school and hostel, declared a
terrorist by authorities, and very close to becoming one. Balian's
selection of the character is important as it bears a close
resemblance with him. Like Balian, Jonah, too, is an Armenian living
in Turkey. Both move from their native land to the US, spending time
in Europe as well. Balian's experiences from his youth parallel those
of Jonah's.
Gray Wolves and White Doves closely depicts the tumultuous phase of
inter-war and post-war central Asia, the troubled relations between
Turks, Armenians, Assyrians and Kurds, and the brute nature of the
Turkish administration. Amid all this, the focus of the plot is on the
plight of the common man, living in the clubbed zone of Turkey and
Armenia, torn between the sociological changes forced upon by the
governments.
As the story unfolds, Turkey emerges as a brute violator of human
rights, something that would satisfy the Turkish detractors and human
rights watchdogs across the globe, and the West emerges as the
ultimate destination where the life and liberties of an individual are
best realised. The story also reveals the brutal nature of the then
Turkish state, which lived in denial over genocides. It tells the
story of the administration targeting ethnic minorities, charging them
with conspiracy against the state, and a deeper rot in the Armenian
quarters of the Jerusalem school.
Gray Wolves and White Doves is a story of love, betrayal and ancient
traditions. Those familiar with the central Asian crisis, the critical
relationship among the Turks, Armenians, Kurds and Assyrians and the
geography of the region would be better placed to understand the plot.
However, unfamiliarity with the background would essentially not be a
handicap. Knowledge of geography would be helpful as the action takes
place in Anatolia, Syria, Istanbul, Jerusalem, New York, San
Francisco, Beirut, the Sinai Peninsula, Tel Aviv, Paris, Santa
Barbara, Bavaria, Berlin, Denmark and Sweden.
Balian has chosen a distinctly simpler style to narrate the story,
suggesting to target a wide genre of global audience rather than
confining himself to any particular area. The underlying theme in the
book is the hostile relationship between the Turks and Armenians,
multiplied by the rivalry among members of each group intensified by
internal factional divisions.
The book begins like a thriller. To bomb or not to bomb? This is the
dilemma Jonah faces. He is labelled a terrorist by the Turkish police,
hired by the Armenian Liberation Army to plant a bomb in a Turkish
Airlines flight. He is at the Paris international airport and confused
about the course that he would set by planting a bomb in a Turkish
flight. While dealing with this dilemma, he spots his great uncle at
the airport and then begins the actual story of the book. As the story
culminates into the climax, buried secrets, hidden identities and
motives are revealed.
Jonah's story begins with the killing of his mother by Turkish
soldiers when he was just five. His troublesome family relationships
and fragmentation of his siblings go on to build Jonah's future course
of events. The description of Jonah's education in the Armenian
quarter of Jerusalem describes the unique characteristics of a
little-known enclave just inside the Jaffa Gate of the Old City. As
Jonah begins to adjust to his new life, he encounters inter-ethnic
strife, deception and banishment for alleged insurrection against the
Turkish state.
If anything, the fast pacing events and plots, if not the subject
matter, are likely to keep the readers hooked.
Lessons in history usually deal with political developments and often
miss out on the social and cultural turmoils faced by commoners due to
the political crisis between two nations. Gray Wolves and White Doves
is one such story that explores the socio-cultural dimensions in the
wake of the Turkish-Armenian hostility. Armenians often wish for a
tale about the genocide and its aftermath that would draw global
attention to their cause. Balian's book makes an attempt to tell the
tale of horror that the region witnessed in the 1960s and 1970s.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
February 3, 2013 Sunday
A lesson in history
by Akul Akhoury
Gray Wolves and White Doves
John Balian
Tranquebar Press: Rs 295, Pp 398
Gray Wolves and White Doves closely depicts the tumultuous phase of
inter-war and post-war central Asia. And amid all this, the focus is
on the plight of the common man
"It is said that the best fiction usually involves strong elements of
true-life experiences, and Gray Wolves and White Doves is no
different. The premise of the book is based on my life experiences. It
is also said that everyone has a book hidden inside. This book is
clearly the one I needed to release from within me," said John D
Balian, explaining his intent behind writing the book, to an Armenian
magazine.
Balian's book is based on the story of a bright teen-Hannah Ibelin aka
Jonah Ibelinian-abandoned by his school and hostel, declared a
terrorist by authorities, and very close to becoming one. Balian's
selection of the character is important as it bears a close
resemblance with him. Like Balian, Jonah, too, is an Armenian living
in Turkey. Both move from their native land to the US, spending time
in Europe as well. Balian's experiences from his youth parallel those
of Jonah's.
Gray Wolves and White Doves closely depicts the tumultuous phase of
inter-war and post-war central Asia, the troubled relations between
Turks, Armenians, Assyrians and Kurds, and the brute nature of the
Turkish administration. Amid all this, the focus of the plot is on the
plight of the common man, living in the clubbed zone of Turkey and
Armenia, torn between the sociological changes forced upon by the
governments.
As the story unfolds, Turkey emerges as a brute violator of human
rights, something that would satisfy the Turkish detractors and human
rights watchdogs across the globe, and the West emerges as the
ultimate destination where the life and liberties of an individual are
best realised. The story also reveals the brutal nature of the then
Turkish state, which lived in denial over genocides. It tells the
story of the administration targeting ethnic minorities, charging them
with conspiracy against the state, and a deeper rot in the Armenian
quarters of the Jerusalem school.
Gray Wolves and White Doves is a story of love, betrayal and ancient
traditions. Those familiar with the central Asian crisis, the critical
relationship among the Turks, Armenians, Kurds and Assyrians and the
geography of the region would be better placed to understand the plot.
However, unfamiliarity with the background would essentially not be a
handicap. Knowledge of geography would be helpful as the action takes
place in Anatolia, Syria, Istanbul, Jerusalem, New York, San
Francisco, Beirut, the Sinai Peninsula, Tel Aviv, Paris, Santa
Barbara, Bavaria, Berlin, Denmark and Sweden.
Balian has chosen a distinctly simpler style to narrate the story,
suggesting to target a wide genre of global audience rather than
confining himself to any particular area. The underlying theme in the
book is the hostile relationship between the Turks and Armenians,
multiplied by the rivalry among members of each group intensified by
internal factional divisions.
The book begins like a thriller. To bomb or not to bomb? This is the
dilemma Jonah faces. He is labelled a terrorist by the Turkish police,
hired by the Armenian Liberation Army to plant a bomb in a Turkish
Airlines flight. He is at the Paris international airport and confused
about the course that he would set by planting a bomb in a Turkish
flight. While dealing with this dilemma, he spots his great uncle at
the airport and then begins the actual story of the book. As the story
culminates into the climax, buried secrets, hidden identities and
motives are revealed.
Jonah's story begins with the killing of his mother by Turkish
soldiers when he was just five. His troublesome family relationships
and fragmentation of his siblings go on to build Jonah's future course
of events. The description of Jonah's education in the Armenian
quarter of Jerusalem describes the unique characteristics of a
little-known enclave just inside the Jaffa Gate of the Old City. As
Jonah begins to adjust to his new life, he encounters inter-ethnic
strife, deception and banishment for alleged insurrection against the
Turkish state.
If anything, the fast pacing events and plots, if not the subject
matter, are likely to keep the readers hooked.
Lessons in history usually deal with political developments and often
miss out on the social and cultural turmoils faced by commoners due to
the political crisis between two nations. Gray Wolves and White Doves
is one such story that explores the socio-cultural dimensions in the
wake of the Turkish-Armenian hostility. Armenians often wish for a
tale about the genocide and its aftermath that would draw global
attention to their cause. Balian's book makes an attempt to tell the
tale of horror that the region witnessed in the 1960s and 1970s.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress