Over 200 Fans Come to See Best Selling Author Chris Bohjalian on National Book Tour Stop Co-Sponsored by AGBU in New York

At first glance, the Armenian Genocide would be an unlikely context for a compelling love story. Yet, one author has proved it cannot only be done, but done extraordinarily well — and is quickly captivating readers across the country. In his latest publication, "The Sandcastle Girls" (Doubleday), award-winning novelist and grandson of survivors Chris Bohjalian draws inspiration from his own family's plight, putting their story, and countless others, in the national spotlight. Released just last month, the book has already risen to the top of the New York Times bestsellers list and appeared as a "Book of the Week" on Oprah.com, continuing to gain attention through two book tour stops co-sponsored by AGBU.

On the evening of Friday, August 3, 2012, Bohjalian drew a crowd of over 200 enthusiastic guests to the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International in New York for a book presentation and signing. The event was presented by Armenian National Committee (ANC) — New York and Doubleday Publishing, hosted by AGBU Ararat and co-sponsored by the AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY), the Armenia Network — NY Region, AYF-YOARF New York "Hyortik" Chapter and Hamazkayin of New York. Hardcovers in hand, audience members were first welcomed by AGBU Associate Director of Education Natalie Gabrelian, who spoke on behalf of Ararat, YPGNY, and their partners. She then passed the podium to Ani Tchaghlasian from the ANC, who was quick to note that no introduction could do Bohjalian adequate justice, and that the great success of "The Sandcastle Girls" speaks for itself; since debuting as a New York Times bestseller, the novel has also become the top seller at the Harvard Book Store. As Tchaghlasian praised, the book "brings the Armenian Genocide to the public, making the stories — as well as the pursuit of justice — tangible and real," an authenticity that comes from years of Bohjalian researching official records and looking back through his family history.

Deftly balancing humor with the book's tragic themes, Bohjalian took the beginning of his presentation to entertain the crowd with funny stories of life on the road during a national book tour. He soon transitioned, though, from those personal anecdotes to tales from his childhood, recounting memories of weekends spent in his grandparents' house, where the walls were lined with Armenian books and the furniture covered with intricate Armenian lacework. His father, he explained, entered kindergarten unable to speak a word of English, but like so many in the diaspora's first generation, reinvented himself and as an adult joined the most iconic American industry of the time: advertising. It wasn't until 2009, when his father's health began to deteriorate and the two spent more and more time together, often looking through old family photos, that Bohjalian began to put together some pieces of his family's puzzle. Directing the audience's attention to a screen of several black and white snapshots, he pointed to one dating back to the late 19th century in Constantinople, and another of his grandparents and father from 1934, which sat on his desk and inspired him the entire time he wrote "The Sandcastle Girls."

As Bohjalian described, the book had been a work in progress for almost his entire life, and in 1993 he wrote a complete manuscript on the Armenian Genocide before deciding it needed to be shelved. Seventeen years later, motivated in part by his father's death and the desire to carry on his family's legacy, Bohjalian revisited the idea, for two reasons. The first, he told the crowd, being that the story of the Armenians is so profound, and has a direct link with all other genocides unfolding around the world today. And moreover, he said, quoting from the book, because it is "the slaughter we know next to nothing about," the story that appeared on the front pages of newspapers regularly through the early 20th century before "the news cycle moved on." As he revisited the idea of a novel set at that particular time and place in history, Bohjalian knew that in order for his second attempt to succeed, he needed a "personal way in," one that was grounded in his ancestor's experience. And while he would never know the fate of his three great uncles, who disappeared in Egypt in 1915, he did know how he felt growing up in his grandparents' house. Bohjalian explained, "make no mistake, there is a lot of me in Laura throughout that book," referring to "The Sandcastle Girls" protagonist, a modern-day Armenian American whose story is interwoven with that of her grandparents.

Throughout the presentation and the question and answer portion of the evening, Bohjalian discussed the scholarly research that went into the book, as well as his own recent pilgrimage to Armenia. He showed the audience photos from his journey from Beirut to Yerevan, where, he said, any doubts he may have had about the novel were immediately dispelled. It was important to him, he said, to visit historical landmarks and memorials, and above all, Mount Ararat, which he described as "the geography of the Armenian soul…and the geography of my soul." Looking at the mountain from the airport upon his departure, Bohjalian recalled, he began weeping for his family, knowing that "The Sandcastle Girls" was the most important book he would write in his life.

When Chris Bohjalian's presentation was complete, eager fans formed a long line to have their copy signed by the author. Their enthusiastic response was matched by a 300-member audience at the July 26, 2012, event held at the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) and co-sponsored by the AGBU Young Professionals of Boston, ALMA, and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). To learn more about Bohjalian's upcoming tour stops and to purchase copies of "The Sandcastle Girls," please visit this website: http://www.chrisbohjalian.com/the_sandcastle_girls.