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Jalaleddin
First published in 1878 in the Armenian language by the prolific writer Raffi, Jalaleddin follows the story of a young man with nothing to lose as he embarks on a journey through the valleys and peaks of the Anatolian Mountains to rediscover a treasure he lost long ago. Based on events that took place during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, this short yet vivid narrative intensely portrays the human spirit in all its capacity for love and hate, war and peace, civility and wildness, and destruction and self-sacrifice.
57 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1878
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About the author
Րաֆֆի
29 books80 followersHakob Melik Hakobian (Armenian: Յակոբ Մելիք-Յակոբեան), better known by his pen name Raffi (Armenian: Րաֆֆի), is a renowned Armenian author born in 1835 in Payajouk, an Armenian village situated in the Salmas province (presently in the north of Iran, near Lake Ourmia) in Persia. He died in 1888 in Tiflis (present-day Tbilisi). Raffi is a prominent figure of Armenian literature.His father, a wealthy merchant and farmer, belonged to the local bourgeoisie. Thus, Raffi’s financial situation, along with his being the eldest of a large family of 13 children, allowed him to benefit from a high quality education.
His education began at Ter Todik, his village's school, which was known for its strictness and punishment methods. Raffi described and denounced these methods in one of his novels, Kaytzer. At the age of 12, Raffi was sent by his father to continue his secondary education at a boarding school in Tiflis, away from his native land.
Tombstone of Raffi at the Armenian Pantheon of TbilisiTiflis, today known as Tbilisi, was at the time one of the largest Armenian intellectual centers. Alas, due to the degradation of his father’s financial affairs, Raffi was forced to return to his native country. It was at this point that he began teaching Armenian language and history in the Aramian school in Tabriz, the Augoulis school in the Nakhitchevan region and, later on, in Tiflis.
Throughout his life, Raffi took many trips to the villages and provinces of Eastern and Western Armenia. Wherever he visited, he became aware of the daily misery experienced by the unarmed Armenian population, who lived in constant terror of the Turks and Kurds. Raffi, like other Armenian intellectuals, was convinced that it was not viable to continue living thus. He would thereafter seek to deeply transform Armenian society. In order to do so, it was necessary for him to make the people themselves aware of the tragic reality in which they lived.
Raffi was a prolific writer. His works were published in the magazines Mshak and Ardzakank. His main work, The Fool, first appeared in series in the magazine Mshak, (an Armenian journal founded by Grigor Artsruni in 1872) and was a great success. Mshak played an important role in awakening the Armenian people from the lethargy that had overcome the majority of them since the loss of Armenian independence at the end of the 14th century. Raffi’s patriotic text was read by virtually all Armenian youth of the time. In his novels, Raffi depicted characters of national heroes and Armenian revolutionaries. In fact, there is a well-known Armenian phrase that goes: "there are no Armenian freedom fighters (Feddayines) that have not read Raffi."
Raffi considered that teaching the population the Armenian language was a fundamental and vital measure. He used various methods (the press, novels, teaching) to improve the education of the Armenian commoners.
Raffi died in 1888 in Tiflis (present-day Tbilisi), and his funeral attracted a huge crowd. He is buried in the Pantheon of Armenians at the Khodjivank cemetery in Tbilisi, where Hovhannes Tumanian, Gabriel Sundukian, Ghazaros Aghayan and Grigor Artsruni are also buried.
Presently, there is a school as well as a street named after Raffi in Yerevan, Armenia. His works were translated in several languages.
His education began at Ter Todik, his village's school, which was known for its strictness and punishment methods. Raffi described and denounced these methods in one of his novels, Kaytzer. At the age of 12, Raffi was sent by his father to continue his secondary education at a boarding school in Tiflis, away from his native land.
Tombstone of Raffi at the Armenian Pantheon of TbilisiTiflis, today known as Tbilisi, was at the time one of the largest Armenian intellectual centers. Alas, due to the degradation of his father’s financial affairs, Raffi was forced to return to his native country. It was at this point that he began teaching Armenian language and history in the Aramian school in Tabriz, the Augoulis school in the Nakhitchevan region and, later on, in Tiflis.
Throughout his life, Raffi took many trips to the villages and provinces of Eastern and Western Armenia. Wherever he visited, he became aware of the daily misery experienced by the unarmed Armenian population, who lived in constant terror of the Turks and Kurds. Raffi, like other Armenian intellectuals, was convinced that it was not viable to continue living thus. He would thereafter seek to deeply transform Armenian society. In order to do so, it was necessary for him to make the people themselves aware of the tragic reality in which they lived.
Raffi was a prolific writer. His works were published in the magazines Mshak and Ardzakank. His main work, The Fool, first appeared in series in the magazine Mshak, (an Armenian journal founded by Grigor Artsruni in 1872) and was a great success. Mshak played an important role in awakening the Armenian people from the lethargy that had overcome the majority of them since the loss of Armenian independence at the end of the 14th century. Raffi’s patriotic text was read by virtually all Armenian youth of the time. In his novels, Raffi depicted characters of national heroes and Armenian revolutionaries. In fact, there is a well-known Armenian phrase that goes: "there are no Armenian freedom fighters (Feddayines) that have not read Raffi."
Raffi considered that teaching the population the Armenian language was a fundamental and vital measure. He used various methods (the press, novels, teaching) to improve the education of the Armenian commoners.
Raffi died in 1888 in Tiflis (present-day Tbilisi), and his funeral attracted a huge crowd. He is buried in the Pantheon of Armenians at the Khodjivank cemetery in Tbilisi, where Hovhannes Tumanian, Gabriel Sundukian, Ghazaros Aghayan and Grigor Artsruni are also buried.
Presently, there is a school as well as a street named after Raffi in Yerevan, Armenia. His works were translated in several languages.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 16, 2019
I really enjoyed my time with this little Armenian classic - I had vaguely heard of Raffi before, but I knew nothing of his importance to forming a modern sense of Armenian national identity nor had I read any of his work prior to this novella. It's important to know a few things about this little book: 1) the translation style is quite literal rather than "smoothing out" for English speakers (which I quite liked for the kind of story this is, but should be noted), 2) this reads almost like a parable or fairy tale (albeit a very dark one), and 3) this is short. Overall, I found this deeply moving, thought provoking, and all together different than most classic literature I have read, and I am very thankful to the translators for reaching out to bring this to my attention. It was a nice change of pace
March 30, 2019
I have mixed feelings on this. The history behind it is interesting, but the novella itself felt a little too short and not as developed as I would have liked.
July 4, 2024
Kitab-Dalish is literally me.
May 15, 2019
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a sad, moving novella that was inspired by real-life atrocities that took place in the late 1870s.
I found this to be a quick, engrossing read. The other reviewers are not kidding: the ending feels extremely abrupt. I was shocked when I realized I had read the last sentence. To be fair, I'm not sure that the end ought to have been dragged out further; what needed to be said had been said.
This edition contains a map of the region the story takes place in, a forward and an afterward, as well as a great number of annotations. I found them very useful as I am not familiar with the time or place.
While I can not speak to the accuracy of the translation, given the care that was taken with the rest of the ebook, I feel that the original text was likely treated with respect.
This is a sad, moving novella that was inspired by real-life atrocities that took place in the late 1870s.
I found this to be a quick, engrossing read. The other reviewers are not kidding: the ending feels extremely abrupt. I was shocked when I realized I had read the last sentence. To be fair, I'm not sure that the end ought to have been dragged out further; what needed to be said had been said.
This edition contains a map of the region the story takes place in, a forward and an afterward, as well as a great number of annotations. I found them very useful as I am not familiar with the time or place.
While I can not speak to the accuracy of the translation, given the care that was taken with the rest of the ebook, I feel that the original text was likely treated with respect.
July 10, 2024
Outside of its commentary on Armenia, this novella is unremarkable.
It repeatedly offers the following as its thesis:
“Sarhat reached the conclusion that his people were to blame for not understanding the necessities of life, and for failing to realize that they live on earth with other humans, not angels”
Raffi claims that the docility of the Armenian people had led to their frequent torture and sorry state, giving examples of the horrors perpetrated against them by the Kurds and Ottoman indifference to these crimes.
The Armenians are contrasted with the Yezidis, who defend themselves, in the person of Město.
It repeatedly offers the following as its thesis:
“Sarhat reached the conclusion that his people were to blame for not understanding the necessities of life, and for failing to realize that they live on earth with other humans, not angels”
Raffi claims that the docility of the Armenian people had led to their frequent torture and sorry state, giving examples of the horrors perpetrated against them by the Kurds and Ottoman indifference to these crimes.
The Armenians are contrasted with the Yezidis, who defend themselves, in the person of Město.
June 22, 2019
A tale of Kurds massacring Armenians in Eastern Anatolia in 1877, during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. The main character is a bandit from a village where the the Kurds are murdering and pillaging. He has been away for 10 years, when he has heard of troubles in the area. He is worried about an old love, his treasure. He is determined to find out what has happened to her.
July 15, 2020
I won the ebook in a Goodreads giveaway and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I know virtually nothing about the Armenian/Ottoman conflict in the late 1800s, so I expected this to be a difficult read. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer, as the ending felt very rushed.
December 30, 2024
Raffi Ermeni edebiyatının en güçlü yazarlarından. Jalaleddin ilginç sorunsallar açtı Ermeniliğin ontolojisini anlamam açısından bana. Siz de alın siz de okuyun valla ne diyim. ŞAHSIM adına Donald Abcarian çevirisini öneririm.
May 12, 2021
(Armenia)
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April 3, 2024The central theme of the book is the continuous struggle of Armenians against Turkish rule and Kurdish looting and the frustration from the inability of the nation to organize and defend itself. Another common dilemma in Raffi's work is also reflected here: the choice between personal happiness and societal good and as usual for his heroes, it is solved in favor of perceived societal good. These questions seem relevant for the Armenian reality even now, however, Raffi's romanticized views should definitely be taken with a grain of salt both in terms of the historical context and the current reality. For instance, although the protagonists of this novel want to help the villagers, their actions seem more like an adventure than a clear plan. What would happen after the success of one adventure? How exactly would the security of the Armenian villagers be guaranteed in face of pending revenge? I do, however, agree with the basic notion that victim mentality is not helpful and action is needed to guarantee the survival of a small nation in face of adversity.
March 1, 2020
An economical bolt out of hell, is how Harold Bloom described Macbeth, comparing it to a similarly economical play Dr Faustus. I would apply this phrase without reservation to Jalaleddin ('Juhl-all-ed-deen'). It is a brief but powerful novella set during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877/78, about which I knew nothing, and in places is deeply (and necessarily) violent, and ends abruptly, though not unsatisfactorily. There are very few short works, especially quest novels, that pack such a wallop as this one does (even more impressive given its original publication date, 1878).
This translation contains useful, non-intrusive notes, and the standard of proofreading was generally very high for such a new publisher (a few widowed lines at the end of chapters, making for large blank spaces).
(I wouldn't have found the book if it weren't for Steve Donoghue's end-of-year lists—so thank you, Steve.)
This translation contains useful, non-intrusive notes, and the standard of proofreading was generally very high for such a new publisher (a few widowed lines at the end of chapters, making for large blank spaces).
(I wouldn't have found the book if it weren't for Steve Donoghue's end-of-year lists—so thank you, Steve.)
August 6, 2019
A sweeping philosophical reflection on mankind hidden in the story of one man's journey. This is a beautiful, thought-provoking read but comes along with simultaneous edge-of-your-chair action. It is a rare gem of a book that combines such qualities. I won't ruin the story, but the finale is especially brilliant. This book had me thinking hard about redemption, the nature and ethics of violence, the corrupting and uplifting influences of religion, and the different potencies of brotherly, familial, and romantic love.
April 15, 2019
A tale of old
This tale tells of battles long ago in a far away land. The notes were helpful to understand unfamiliar terms and pronounce names. Ageless themes included love, hate, despair, bravery, teamwork and religion.
This tale tells of battles long ago in a far away land. The notes were helpful to understand unfamiliar terms and pronounce names. Ageless themes included love, hate, despair, bravery, teamwork and religion.
October 13, 2023
1877 թիվ։ Քրդական ցեղերը ավիրում են Վանի հայկական գյուղերը։ Հայ եկեղեցականները հորդորում են թշնամուն չդիմադրել, վրեժխնդրության չսադրել՝ նոր բռնություններից խուսափելու պատճառաբանմամբ։
Գրքում քննադատվում է մեր իսկ կերպարը, մեր տկարությունն ու վախը, ոչ ամենևին նենգ կամ բիրտ դուշմանը։ Ճիշտ որ։
Գրքում քննադատվում է մեր իսկ կերպարը, մեր տկարությունն ու վախը, ոչ ամենևին նենգ կամ բիրտ դուշմանը։ Ճիշտ որ։
April 13, 2019
I received this e-book from a Goodreads giveaway. The story held my interest. I realize it's a novella, but the ending could have been better. It was rushed compared to the rest of the story.
May 30, 2019
Such a short but beautiful story filled with amazing imagery. My heart ached for the characters after finishing the novella.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews