Just posted: a review of Paul R. Ignatius’ book, “5 x 3,” on my blog SunroomDesk.com. This is the third book published by Ignatius, an Armenian-American and Glendale native who served as U.S. Secretary of the Navy during the Johnson administration. I acquired his first book, the career autobiography “On Board,” when he presented it at the Glendale Public Library in 2010. I read it that summer and posted a review on my blog.
Marc Mamigonian of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research brought Ignatius’ personal memoir, “Now I Know in Part,” to my attention. I read it and posted my review in summer 2012 (I also published a review in Asbarez). Earlier this year I heard from NAASR about Ignatius’ latest book “5 x 3,” in which he has selected five creative works by three of the most prominent Armenian writers in English of the early to mid-20th century. Ignatius was acquainted with all of them, and in this short book he gives readers an insider’s view of each writer’s life, works, and impact.
Leon Surmelian, Michael Arlen, and William Saroyan were all born around the turn of the 20th century. All had personal ties to Ignatius’ family, and his anecdotes and impressions from these life-long ties are part of his book’s charm. This is not an anthology of excerpts. Instead, Ignatius writes his own short summary of each of the 15 works, including his commentary and a few brief passages. His 21st-century perspective, especially given his ties to several generations of each author’s family, is particularly astute.
Leon Surmelian’s journey took him from a privileged boyhood in Trebizond, to an orphanage, to refugee encampments and finally to a post with the Communist government in Soviet Armenia which he left in disillusionment, fleeing to Constantinople then somehow gaining a college scholarship in Kansas then making his way to California. His book “I Ask You, Ladies and Gentleman,” a haunting look back at what he and his people had lost in the Genocide, was an international best seller. Surmelian taught courses on writing at the University of California and was a Professor of English at California State University, Los Angeles while he wrote it.
William Saroyan is best known (at least in California) of the three authors, and four of the five works Ignatius picks to write about are also quite well-known. The book I was least familiar with is “Inhale and Exhale,” and Ignatius notes that there are far too many short stories in the book (71!) but lauds the dedication quote: “To the English tongue, the American earth, and the Armenian spirit.”
Every short chapter of this short book is well worth the time. Ignatius looks back in time to assess how these works were received, but also provides an informed 21st-century perspective on their message and impact. And while his title is “5 x 3,” he includes short chapters at the end about additional personalities, discussing his father Hovsep Ignatius’ work with Leon Surmelian on Armenian causes, Michael J. Arlen’s works exploring his efforts to understand his father Arlen senior, and Aram Saroyan’s well-known difficulties (also published) with his father William Saroyan.
“5 x 3” is an excellent short introduction to the best Armenian writers in English of the last century, and should inspire readers to obtain and read many of the works mentioned. I’ve put several on my list.
Contributor’s Note: Summer is book review season for SunroomDesk.com. During 2014 I’m focusing on Armenian-American writers, authors with ties to the local community, and those who present their works at Friends of the Glendale Public Library events (I was introduced there to Paul R. Ignatius – who meets all three criteria!).
Thanks to the National Association of Armenian Studies and Research for bringing “5 x 3” to my attention.
5 x 3: Fifteen Books by Three Great Armenian Writers
Paul R. Ignatius
Armenian Heritage Press
Belmont 2013
97 pages
Size: 6″ x 9″
Available from National Association for Armenian Studies and Research via e-mail at hq@naasr.org or telephone at 617-489-1610.
Also available at Abril Books, Glendale.
