Forgotten Fire

Considering that the Armenian Genocide is generally considered to be the first of the twentieth century genocides and the precursor to all the others, it is rather surprising, not to mention sad, that it is one of the least known of the twentieth century genocides. Of course, that has a lot to do with the Turkish government denying the genocide to this day. But the Turkish government is supported in its denial by two governments which should know better. To this day the U.S. Congress can't seem to muster the will to pass a resolution condemning the genocide. Because to do so would alienate the one and only nation which must not be alienated: Israel. Considering that Hitler used the forgotten Armenian genocide as a pattern and a justification for his genocide of the Jews, it is most shameful for Israel to be complicit in Turkey's denial.But this is supposed to be a book review, not a political rant, so I'd best go on with it. "Forgotten Fire" is a fictionalized account of Adam Bagdasarian's great-uncle's story of his experience of the Armenian genocide when he was a boy of twelve. In the author interview at the end of the book, Bagdasarian says that he chose the fictional format in part because as fiction he wanted to involve the reader more emotionally rather than just analytically. He succeeded in that effort quite well. "Forgotten Fire" is a powerful, brutal book which leaves the reader shaking with helpless fear, anger and disgust.As the book opens, Vahan Kendarian is the privileged, rather spoiled, dissipated youngest son of a prominent Armenian government official. He lives in one of the largest homes in the area, all his needs are met and he is comfortable in his safe home. That is, until the Turkish gendarmes start coming to the house.It starts when the gendarmes take away his father, the stern but loving backbone of the family. The one who tries, without much success, to instill "discipline" and "character" into his youngest son. But of course father will be coming back soon, so there's nothing to worry about. Until the gendarmes come back again, this time shooting his two older brothers right in the family garden. And Uncle Mumpreh disappears. Maybe father isn't coming back.Eventually the remaining family members - Vahan, his sisters, his only remaining brother Sisak, his mother and grandmother - are driven from the house too. One of his sisters takes poison to avoid being raped at an inn that is being used as a way-station. Then the family and hundreds of other Armenians are made to walk for days and days with no food or water. Upon finally reaching a river where they expect to be allowed to drink and rest, the Turkish soldiers set upon the Armenians. Vahan's grandmother is killed inches from him. At his mother's insistence, Vahan and Sisak escape leaving his mother and one remaining sister behind. Eventually Vahan is on his own, his protective family having been stripped away one by one. Now the boy with no "discipline" or "character" must somehow survive on his own.Through a combination of luck, determination and bargains with the devil, Vahan does survive. For a while he is even under the protection - and the charming spell - of one of the Turkish leaders, Selim Bey. Throughout his bitter trials, Vahan remains loving and human and eventually he discovers that he does indeed possess the "discipline" and "character" that would make his father proud. That is, had his father not been killed too.I was struck by how naïve Vahan remains in many ways. Early on, Uncle Mumpreh gives the women and girls a vial of poison to wear and take in the event of ... Vahan doesn't know what, but it must be something worse than death. When Turkish soldiers take some of the girls and women during the nights at the Inn, he doesn't know what happens to them, but he knows from their screaming that it is something horrible. Nonetheless, when a young nine or ten year old girl is brought to stay with him at Selim Bey's, he naively believes that she has been brought to be a friend to him. Witnessing her repeated rape is what finally breaks Vahan's enthrallment to Selim Bey. Still, later on, Vahan doesn't make the connection about why a young Armenian girl would be staying with the German consul. Vahan's naïveté and his concern and care for these girls is not only touching, but it is something that helps Vahan retain his humanity in the face of such brutality. Selim Bey tries to teach him to reserve his friendship for those who are "worthy" of it - those who can help him, not "waste" it on those who are weak. Vahan's refusal to learn this lesson is ultimately what saves him - morally if not physically.I highly recommend "Forgotten Fire". It is a great introduction to the Armenian genocide. As the story of one boy, of course it does not give a complete picture of the political and historical forces at play. But it puts a human face on a sadly forgotten chapter in the history of man's inhumanity to man. Having read this story, I now want to know more of the details of that chapter so that the memory and lessons of the Armenian genocide will not be forgotten.

When I first began my prison sentence, I was looking at more than a decade "behind bars," and I was feeling intense self-pity. So I found myself reading books about people who were in worse situations than I was. On the extreme end of that spectrum were books about the "Holocaust, like Night" by Elie Wiesel and "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. I realized that suffering can go much deeper than what I was experiencing. I read a book by Emile Zola about coal miners in nineteenth century France and realized that, even today, there are people who are "free" (not in Prison) who I would not want to trade places with. Even so, I was still suffering (and of course, I created my own suffering) enough to pray, "God, please help me," every night until I fell asleep. I did that for so long that it became automatic when I closed my eyes. I wasn't so much praying to get out of my situation as praying for help in dealing with it because I knew I had to be punished. But today, God willing, I only have four months until I'm somewhat free again. So I really have no need to read such depressing, bleak stories of human suffering and misery. However, I read one anyway. It's called "Forgotten Fire" by Adam Bagdasarian. It's about the Turkish genocide of Armenians during World War One, and it's every bit as horrible as the stories one hears about the Jewish Holocaust. It follows the plight of Vahan Kenderian, a twelve year old boy who witnesses the deaths of his family members one after another. The details were so graphic that I almost had to stop reading several times. It's unbelievable what one human being is capable of doing to another. And it's frightening to think that given the right, or wrong, circumstances, that this can, and most likely will, happen again, and can happen anywhere. Maybe now was a good time for me to read "Forgotten Fire" because it reminded me of what it felt like to have my whole world shattered, and more importantly that no matter what happens to us, we can still pick up the pieces and move on, stronger than before. The fire of adversity will either consume us or make us stronger. And this is one fire I do not intend to forget.Written by David Allan ReevesAuthor of "Running Away From Me"

I had to get this book for school and it came a few days before it said it would!

This book tells the story of the author's uncle who survived the Armenian genocide and lived to tell his relatives. It is a heart moving story of how a rich Armenian family died. The two survivors are a sister and a brother. This is the story of the brother. Few people remember the Armenian genocides since they took place either before World War I or during the war itself. One and a half million Armenians died in these events (there were several prior to WWI and the big one took place during the war). Although the story is set in eastern Turkey, one does not get a view of why the government ministers/soldiers perpetrated these massacres. The book shows how people were killed by evil men, a very simplistic explanation.This is an interesting read. Although a novel, it is based on a true event and life. I am not sure it is really for grade school students, but could be taught to high school students.

I could not stop reading this book. It’s written so well! Easy to read, easy to follow, and so heartfelt. It made me once again realize what a resilient race Armenians are to have survived a tumultuous history. Well done. I highly recommend it to anyone.

During World War I Armenians in Turkey were persecuted at a horrific and unbelievable level. Millions were killed. It has often been said that history tells us what happened and fiction tells us how it felt. That is certainly the case with this novel which is based on a true story told to the author by his uncle. Vahan Kenderian's story will pull you in and sweep you along in a journey of heartbreak, horror, and ultimately escape. What happened to the Armenians is often ignored in history. How sad. This should not be! Theirs is a story that must not be forgotten!

Excellent service and very pleased with book. Thank you.

Well written and engaging. Illustrates the violence and hate towards innocent Armenians culminating in the Armenian Genocide by the Turks.I highly recommend it as an important chapter in history.

This is about the Armenian Genocide. Of course, there are some who will deny it ever happened. But regardless of what you believe this is the story of a struggle for survival by a young man who deserves our admiration for his courage and bravado. I couldn't put the novel down; it was gripping and horrifying at the same time but definitely a page-turner and a very good read.

The Armenian Genocide is unheard of to many people. This book tells the story.

Durchaus realistisch nuechtern beschriebene Situation. Packend, spannend und informativ. Ich wurde das Buch als Lektuere fuer den Geschichtsunterricht zum Thema Genozid, bzw. Voelkermord empfehlen.