BY R. P. SEVADJIAN
“Loving Father, Bitter Son,” the newly published novel by Asbed Pogarian, is a deeply nuanced human story that invites a second reading to fully savor the richness of its cultural and emotional depth. It is a brave exploration of a life shaped by extraordinary circumstances in an unusual setting: the Armenian community of Ethiopia on the eve of the 1974 communist revolution.
The novel follows Alex, a young boy growing up in the close-knit diasporan Armenian community of Addis Ababa. Pogarian paints a vivid portrait of this small yet vibrant community — known as “Yevtobahays” — who embraced Ethiopian culture while preserving their distinct heritage. He writes with tenderness about their daily lives and integration: speaking fluent Amharic, enjoying Ethiopia’s spicy dishes, and contributing to the development of their adopted country.
Among the most memorable scenes is one in which Alex, still a boy, is taken by older friends to a brothel. It is written with remarkable delicacy – painful, tender, and entirely real.
The novel also explores the emotional effects of an unhappy arranged marriage, where Alex’s mother is unable to appreciate her husband’s gentle nature. And yet, despite these cracks, Alex manages to live a happy childhood, idolizing his father, and surrounded by his parents, relatives and Ethiopian friends.
When the revolution erupts, Alex’s mother flees to the United States with her children, expecting her husband to follow soon. What unfolds next is some of the novel’s most powerful writing, particularly during the agonizing waiting. The uncertainty, the rumors, and the slow unraveling of hope are depicted with heartbreaking precision. The image of a mother bravely holding the fort as doubt and gossip swirl around her is unforgettable.
Years later, burdened by unanswered questions, Alex returns to Ethiopia in search of the truth. The emotional climax is both devastating and redemptive as he confronts the past and uncovers the truth.
Alex’s voice is so authentic, that one often forgets this is fiction. His journey is as believable as it is moving. This novel is a compelling read not only for its emotional resonance, but also for the rare window it offers into the Ethiopian-Armenian experience. For anyone curious about this unique diaspora, it is a treasure trove of insight, memory, and heart.
“Loving Father, Bitter Son” is now available on Amazon.
R. P. Sevadjian is the author of “In the Shadow of the Sultan,” “The Darker Shadow and The Long Shadow,” historical coming of age novels set during the Hamidian Massacres of 1896 and the Armenian Genocide in 1915. Born and raised in Africa, she now lives in the UK where she is currently researching the Armenians of Ethiopia and the work of B. A. Sevadjian about whom she has written several articles for the Armenian Weekly. Her books are available at Abril Bookstore and Moufflon Bookshop.
