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Gelincikler Açarken
Sasun’un Salor köyünden iki gencin sonsuz, koşulsuz ve saf aşkının romanı Gelincikler Açarken. Ancak bu aşk bir taraftan da, Ermeni halkının kendi felaketinin eşiğinde olmasıyla zamansız da. Geleneklerine sıkı sıkıya bağlı hayali bir Ermeni köyü olan Salor, etrafını saran dağlarla dünyanın geri kalanından kopmuş gibidir. Günler, tarlayla, otlakla, hayvanlarla, hasatla geçer.
Anno ve Daron hasretle birbirlerine kavuşacakları an için gün sayarken, aslında sayılı günlerinin kaldığını bilmezler. Çünkü hayat her ne kadar bu tecrit edilmiş köy için bir süre daha huzur dolu ve sakin akacak olsa da, Osmanlı Devleti’nin Birinci Dünya Savaşı’na girişi ile paralel olarak Ermenilerin yıkım süreci de başlamış, köye ulaşan katliam haberleriyle korku gündelik bir hisse dönüşmüştür.
Van direnişi, Ermeni fedailerin ve Kürt aşiretlerinin 1915’teki oynadıkları rol de dahil olmak üzere Boyadjian’ın tarihsel bir zemine oturttuğu romanda, sıradan bir Anadolu köyündeki sıradan köylülerin, çok sevdikleri köylerine, dağlarına, ailelerine, sevgililerine ve gelinciklerine zoraki vedalarını okuyacak, âşıklar ölse bile aşkın ölmeyeceğine tanıklık edeceksiniz.
Anno ve Daron hasretle birbirlerine kavuşacakları an için gün sayarken, aslında sayılı günlerinin kaldığını bilmezler. Çünkü hayat her ne kadar bu tecrit edilmiş köy için bir süre daha huzur dolu ve sakin akacak olsa da, Osmanlı Devleti’nin Birinci Dünya Savaşı’na girişi ile paralel olarak Ermenilerin yıkım süreci de başlamış, köye ulaşan katliam haberleriyle korku gündelik bir hisse dönüşmüştür.
Van direnişi, Ermeni fedailerin ve Kürt aşiretlerinin 1915’teki oynadıkları rol de dahil olmak üzere Boyadjian’ın tarihsel bir zemine oturttuğu romanda, sıradan bir Anadolu köyündeki sıradan köylülerin, çok sevdikleri köylerine, dağlarına, ailelerine, sevgililerine ve gelinciklerine zoraki vedalarını okuyacak, âşıklar ölse bile aşkın ölmeyeceğine tanıklık edeceksiniz.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
113 people are currently reading
1178 people want to read
About the author
Maral Boyadjian
2 books34 followersMaral Boyadjian wove together the memories of her four grandparents, all survivors of the Armenian Genocide, with her love for historical fiction to create the beautiful love story in her debut novel, As the Poppies Bloomed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
March 26, 2018
The debut novel of Armenian American author Maral Boyadjian, As the Poppies Bloomed is a tribute to her four grandparents, all survivors of the Armenian genocide at the hands of the Turks and the Kurds. The story is their story, and the stories of their friends and acquaintances, most of whom perished during the massacres.
The story starts in 1913 when the Ottoman Empire ruled Armenia. In a remote village up in the mountains, families come alive under the expert writing of Boyadjian. The narrative follows the story of Anno and Daron, a couple deeply in love. The other characters include Anno's extensive family, Daron's large family, and other villagers. Each of them has a place in the narrative and a story to tell of their own. As the threads of village life mesh these characters together strongly, war is brewing up elsewhere.
I fell completely in love with Anno and Daron and was cheering for them to succeed. They did get married and had a child, and everything seemed to be going their way. But love stories set in the midst of genocide can't possibly have a happy ending. I actually cried and was red-eyed by the time I reached the end. What had started off beautifully ended in the worst possible manner. There could be no better criticism of war and genocide.
All the characters in this book were beautifully etched and I could feel an emotional connection to them. Each page of the book brought me closer to them and their impending doom. Their way of life was neither attractive nor desirable but they are still humans with emotions like everyone else. Life in Ottoman Armenia was also beautifully depicted, especially the relations between the Kurds and the Armenians. This book is well-researched, well-written, and has the ability to tug at your heartstrings. Above all, you feel the love pulsating between Anno and Daron, a rarity in most love stories for me.
The situation keeps repeating itself. Genocide continues, war continues, and refugees are being displaced by the thousands. We just need to remember that these are all people with individual, interesting stories, not just statistics that need to be sorted out. Until we are all living free of oppression and violence, none of us are really free.
The story starts in 1913 when the Ottoman Empire ruled Armenia. In a remote village up in the mountains, families come alive under the expert writing of Boyadjian. The narrative follows the story of Anno and Daron, a couple deeply in love. The other characters include Anno's extensive family, Daron's large family, and other villagers. Each of them has a place in the narrative and a story to tell of their own. As the threads of village life mesh these characters together strongly, war is brewing up elsewhere.
I fell completely in love with Anno and Daron and was cheering for them to succeed. They did get married and had a child, and everything seemed to be going their way. But love stories set in the midst of genocide can't possibly have a happy ending. I actually cried and was red-eyed by the time I reached the end. What had started off beautifully ended in the worst possible manner. There could be no better criticism of war and genocide.
All the characters in this book were beautifully etched and I could feel an emotional connection to them. Each page of the book brought me closer to them and their impending doom. Their way of life was neither attractive nor desirable but they are still humans with emotions like everyone else. Life in Ottoman Armenia was also beautifully depicted, especially the relations between the Kurds and the Armenians. This book is well-researched, well-written, and has the ability to tug at your heartstrings. Above all, you feel the love pulsating between Anno and Daron, a rarity in most love stories for me.
The situation keeps repeating itself. Genocide continues, war continues, and refugees are being displaced by the thousands. We just need to remember that these are all people with individual, interesting stories, not just statistics that need to be sorted out. Until we are all living free of oppression and violence, none of us are really free.
March 21, 2016
This is the story of the people of a small village in Armenia and starts in 1913. It was written by the granddaughter of the survivors of the Armenian genocide. It is about their culture, their religion, their love and their family life.
February 19, 2016
For anyone who enjoys historically informed and poignant novels, RUSH to read this debut novel by Maral H. Boyadjian! As a grandchild of genocide survivors, the author pays homage to their legacy - their grit, determination, will to survive, and their love of tradition, life, and each other - while she gives a gift of understanding to her own children. Many of us know this story; our grandparents share these experiences with Maral's. The small details, seemingly insignificant, convey a sense of honesty and love and care that reveal how important it was for the author to speak accurately and truthfully about this very painful time. If you are Armenian, you embrace this novel with familiarity; if you are not, then you are in for a real treat!
Maral writes in a style that is compelling and accessible to all. This is a novel you won't want to put down once you start. And when you turn the last page, you will have wept, you will have learned, you will have been touched, and you will have renewed hope.
Brava, Maral!!!
Maral writes in a style that is compelling and accessible to all. This is a novel you won't want to put down once you start. And when you turn the last page, you will have wept, you will have learned, you will have been touched, and you will have renewed hope.
Brava, Maral!!!
October 22, 2015
Disclaimer: I knew almost nothing about the Armenian people or the events surrounding their genocide in the early 20th century.
A good book of historical fiction always prompts me to explore further information about the people and events described and I have gained important insight about the systenatic killing of Armenians by the Turkish government. This is the story about Anno and her family-- customs, food, celebrations, and the destruction of their way of life.
Beautifully written using stories from the author's own grandparents as a basis for the book,
No sex or graphic violence
A good book of historical fiction always prompts me to explore further information about the people and events described and I have gained important insight about the systenatic killing of Armenians by the Turkish government. This is the story about Anno and her family-- customs, food, celebrations, and the destruction of their way of life.
Beautifully written using stories from the author's own grandparents as a basis for the book,
No sex or graphic violence
January 5, 2019
I was completely remiss in not commenting on this as soon as I finished it because it was incredible. It is one of those books with so many layers that you feel like you are being folded into them, like watching a sacred dish being prepared, one ingredient at a time for hours. This author is so adept at pairing imagery and emotion that I walked around for days being reminded of things but not knowing exactly where they came from, like when you smell a scent from the past but can’t quite recall its origin. She really hijacks your mind. Boyadjian’s writing reminds me so much of Khaled Hosseini’s that if they ever got together and collaborated on a book, none of us would go to work or school; we’d just sit at home reading it in complete rapture. I fully recommend you do the same with this.
December 29, 2014
Begin reading early in the day, as this book is impossible to put down. It was past midnight when I finally finished, and couldn't fall asleep for two more hours. Keep a box of Kleenex close at hand. This story will touch your soul. Poignant. Brilliant. Beautifully written characters. I look forward to a sequel!
May 23, 2017
From the memories shared by her grandparents, who survived the Armenian Genocide in the mid-1900s, Maral Boyadjian has created a fictionalized account of this time in history, woven into an alluring and poignant love story with a Romeo and Juliet-esque twist in her debut novel published on January 1, 2015, As the Poppies Bloomed. The story is insightful, terrifying and, with the current events of each day's news cycle, perhaps a little too relatable to the refugee crisis looming throughout the world. While scrolling through the never-ending list of book recommendations from Goodreads, the eye-catching cover with the red poppies stopped me in my tracks. A special thanks to a Goodreads reviewer who alerted me to the useful glossary that can be found at the end of the book. This was a great guide for use throughout the story and any potential reader should refer to it before starting to read.
At times, the dialogue came across feeling a bit stilted and formal. This may be relative to the voice of this era. Even so, the message flowed with certainty and power in the depiction of what was occurring in eastern Turkey just before and during World War I. In an exploration of the political and social landscape, Boyadjian fills the narrative full of fascinating details that transport readers back in time. Her writing explicitly details day-to-day life, customs and traditions that I found very interesting.
A couple of seemingly nonessential characters pop up here and there. For example, I didn’t find one reason for the beekeeper, who got a whole chapter devoted to him – and then he all but disappeared. Because of the large number of players, frequent hard-to-identify points of view became a little exasperating until the shift back to a mainstream character reappeared setting things straight once again. I found the same problem when jumping to different time periods within the same chapter.
The year is 1913, and Anno and Daron, two Armenian teenagers, are in love. They live in the village of Salor tucked away in the mountains, where Anno's father is the elected town headman and Daron's father is a local merchant. Anno's father does not look favorably on the budding romance between his daughter and Daron. But love won't be stopped and Anno slips away whenever she can to a secret meeting place where Daron waits, neither giving a thought to the longstanding rules of courtship they are breaking. Nor are they prepared for the undisclosed treachery Daron's father is keeping to himself. Their passion blinds them to the oncoming mayhem that will invade their homes and hearts. They wish only to marry and live happily-ever-after.
The first part of the book centers mostly around village life and the sweet and touching romance between Anno and Daron, both of whom you’ll be certain to love. But there are overtures of things to come lurking in the shadows throughout. More storyline devoted to the teenagers and their story of love and hope would have been appreciated. As it were, they got pushed aside in deference to diversity.
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
Different religious and political beliefs can make enemies of the best of friends. Being Christians put many of the villagers at risk for abuse by their Muslim Turkish and Kurd neighbors. Hidden secrets will bring unbelievable consequences when discovered. The enemy is close by, and life as they have known it, will soon change forever.
As the ending comes into focus, the author is merciful in her depiction of the unimaginable war crimes and inhumane treatment thrust upon the villagers. Even so, the impact is a powerful punch to the gut and heart. I suggest having Kleenex tissues within reach, because a story that includes ethnic cleansing against humanity is very unlikely to ever end on a happy note. After reading the final words, I am both humbled and forever moved by this unforgettable story.
Peace to all.
At times, the dialogue came across feeling a bit stilted and formal. This may be relative to the voice of this era. Even so, the message flowed with certainty and power in the depiction of what was occurring in eastern Turkey just before and during World War I. In an exploration of the political and social landscape, Boyadjian fills the narrative full of fascinating details that transport readers back in time. Her writing explicitly details day-to-day life, customs and traditions that I found very interesting.
A couple of seemingly nonessential characters pop up here and there. For example, I didn’t find one reason for the beekeeper, who got a whole chapter devoted to him – and then he all but disappeared. Because of the large number of players, frequent hard-to-identify points of view became a little exasperating until the shift back to a mainstream character reappeared setting things straight once again. I found the same problem when jumping to different time periods within the same chapter.
The year is 1913, and Anno and Daron, two Armenian teenagers, are in love. They live in the village of Salor tucked away in the mountains, where Anno's father is the elected town headman and Daron's father is a local merchant. Anno's father does not look favorably on the budding romance between his daughter and Daron. But love won't be stopped and Anno slips away whenever she can to a secret meeting place where Daron waits, neither giving a thought to the longstanding rules of courtship they are breaking. Nor are they prepared for the undisclosed treachery Daron's father is keeping to himself. Their passion blinds them to the oncoming mayhem that will invade their homes and hearts. They wish only to marry and live happily-ever-after.
The first part of the book centers mostly around village life and the sweet and touching romance between Anno and Daron, both of whom you’ll be certain to love. But there are overtures of things to come lurking in the shadows throughout. More storyline devoted to the teenagers and their story of love and hope would have been appreciated. As it were, they got pushed aside in deference to diversity.
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
Different religious and political beliefs can make enemies of the best of friends. Being Christians put many of the villagers at risk for abuse by their Muslim Turkish and Kurd neighbors. Hidden secrets will bring unbelievable consequences when discovered. The enemy is close by, and life as they have known it, will soon change forever.
As the ending comes into focus, the author is merciful in her depiction of the unimaginable war crimes and inhumane treatment thrust upon the villagers. Even so, the impact is a powerful punch to the gut and heart. I suggest having Kleenex tissues within reach, because a story that includes ethnic cleansing against humanity is very unlikely to ever end on a happy note. After reading the final words, I am both humbled and forever moved by this unforgettable story.
Peace to all.
October 22, 2016
A great book about the Armenian Genocide. Even though this wasn't too graphic but I couldn't help but cringe at some parts. I was grateful for that, I have read a lot about the Armenian Genocide and I am well aware what turks and kurds have done.
If this is your first book about the Armenian Genocide I urge you to research more and read "The Sandcastle Girls" by Chris Bohjalian and "The forty days of Musa dagh" by Franz Werfel (of course there are other notable books but these two are unique for me).
If this is your first book about the Armenian Genocide I urge you to research more and read "The Sandcastle Girls" by Chris Bohjalian and "The forty days of Musa dagh" by Franz Werfel (of course there are other notable books but these two are unique for me).
November 12, 2020
As the Poppies Bloomed is a powerful work of fiction, although part of the book is based upon stories of the author’s grandparents who were survivors of the Armenian genocide. Approximately 1.5 million Christian Armenians were slaughtered by the Muslim Turks, a horrific atrocity carried out by the Ottoman government.
In the early chapters of the book we observe a budding romance between Anno and Daron, where we also learn about family traditions and values. The story is further brought to life by rich descriptions of livestock grazing on hilly and mountainous terrain, grapevine tendrils reaching for the sky, chaff from freshly winnowed wheat floating in the air, while in the distance a pink hue rises up from the red soil covering the land. But amidst a life of ordinary living, the village livestock begin to disappear and fears over safety begin to bubble up in Salor.
I have now read the last page and closed the book; however I still hear the voices of the strong and memorable characters that l got to know so well. This brings to mind a favorite quote from the book “He thought of them all . . . They lived, a layer of lead wrapped around his heart.”
4.5 stars
In the early chapters of the book we observe a budding romance between Anno and Daron, where we also learn about family traditions and values. The story is further brought to life by rich descriptions of livestock grazing on hilly and mountainous terrain, grapevine tendrils reaching for the sky, chaff from freshly winnowed wheat floating in the air, while in the distance a pink hue rises up from the red soil covering the land. But amidst a life of ordinary living, the village livestock begin to disappear and fears over safety begin to bubble up in Salor.
I have now read the last page and closed the book; however I still hear the voices of the strong and memorable characters that l got to know so well. This brings to mind a favorite quote from the book “He thought of them all . . . They lived, a layer of lead wrapped around his heart.”
4.5 stars
March 18, 2018
The is probably the fourth or fifth novel I’ve read that is centered around the Armenian genocide. The author is the granddaughter of four survivors! She has written a novel that pays tribute to her ancestors’ strength, sacrifices and perseverance. I enjoyed reading about the daily lives of the Armenian families in far eastern Anatolia and the beauty of Turkey. The Armenian genocide was horrific and still not recognized by Turkey, hell, many Americans have never even heard of it. If you are interested in this piece of history read this book! Warning, keep some tissues at hand!
June 6, 2023
The fifth star I withhold for all but the most important books. This. Is. Important.
The story is beautifully written with such tenderness, but Boyadjian does not pull punches in the horrors of the Armenian genocide. I think this book will stay with me for a very long time.
The story is beautifully written with such tenderness, but Boyadjian does not pull punches in the horrors of the Armenian genocide. I think this book will stay with me for a very long time.
December 3, 2015
I think Ms. Boyadjian gave us some wonderful characters to care about, love and grieve over. Not many are familiar with the history lesson we have been provided with in this story.
The Armenian genocide was horrific just as the Jewish genocide (Nazi's), the Rwandan genocide (Tutsi) and the Bosnian genocide (ethnic cleansing). I mean really that's what it has been called. Ethnic cleansing. I always and I mean always scoff at the term 'man's inhumanity to man'. Humans are the worst creatures on earth. We destroy with indiscriminate pleasure no matter what the cost to all else, for example the Rain Forest. We are destroying this planet for all creatures. Wars, global warming, pollution it is all on us. The extinction of so many species is unconscionable. Genocide continues today as we turn a blind eye and go about our daily business. As long as it does not disturb our daily routine who cares, keep it at arms length. Out of sight, out of mind.
The Armenian genocide was horrific just as the Jewish genocide (Nazi's), the Rwandan genocide (Tutsi) and the Bosnian genocide (ethnic cleansing). I mean really that's what it has been called. Ethnic cleansing. I always and I mean always scoff at the term 'man's inhumanity to man'. Humans are the worst creatures on earth. We destroy with indiscriminate pleasure no matter what the cost to all else, for example the Rain Forest. We are destroying this planet for all creatures. Wars, global warming, pollution it is all on us. The extinction of so many species is unconscionable. Genocide continues today as we turn a blind eye and go about our daily business. As long as it does not disturb our daily routine who cares, keep it at arms length. Out of sight, out of mind.
January 31, 2016
AS THE POPPIES BLOOMED by Maral Boyadjian
This bittersweet love story takes place in Turkish Armenia just before and during World War I, a time when the Muslim Turks and the Muslim Ottomans sought control over the Christian Armenians. Hidden away in a mountaintop village, 15 year old Anno, daughter of the village Headman, falls in love with Daron, son of the local merchant. As village life proceeds, war and the Armenian genocide come ever closer.
Boyadajian knows her subject well and relates it with sympathy and clarity. Anno and Daron become people you care deeply about. Conflict within the village and conflict with the outside world illuminate the plot. The village of Salor in the province of Sassoun is the focal point of the struggle between religions and politics. Salor and its inhabitants will live long in your memory.
5 of 5 stars
This bittersweet love story takes place in Turkish Armenia just before and during World War I, a time when the Muslim Turks and the Muslim Ottomans sought control over the Christian Armenians. Hidden away in a mountaintop village, 15 year old Anno, daughter of the village Headman, falls in love with Daron, son of the local merchant. As village life proceeds, war and the Armenian genocide come ever closer.
Boyadajian knows her subject well and relates it with sympathy and clarity. Anno and Daron become people you care deeply about. Conflict within the village and conflict with the outside world illuminate the plot. The village of Salor in the province of Sassoun is the focal point of the struggle between religions and politics. Salor and its inhabitants will live long in your memory.
5 of 5 stars
November 26, 2018
I feel mean not liking this book. The author is the granddaughter of four survivors of the Armenian Genocide and is obviously intimately familiar with her culture. But I felt totally disconnected from it. I know just enough about the Armenian Genocide that I was annoyed with how little real detail there was in the book. The cast of characters was large, and their relations to each other was not always (or even usually) apparent to me. The bigger issue was that I felt disconnected from every character. Not enough time was spent on any one character for me to get a feel for them. This is ostensibly Anno’s story, but mostly it is things happening to her. I can really appreciate the passion that the author holds for the subject, but this book didn’t work for me.
September 30, 2016
I'm a sucker for anything about Armenians, which is why I snapped it up. And this book had a lot of good info in it -- for instance about how the Kurds ended up doing some of the dirty work of the genocide a hundred years ago.
However, As the Poppies Bloomed cannot be construed as literary fiction. Although the author surely tried her best, it's just not in a category with something like The Sandcastle Girls or The Gendarme. So I stopped reading it about 1/4 of the way through. I didn't want to influence my own style as a writer with the book's lack of literary excellence. May sound snobbish... (sorry).
However, As the Poppies Bloomed cannot be construed as literary fiction. Although the author surely tried her best, it's just not in a category with something like The Sandcastle Girls or The Gendarme. So I stopped reading it about 1/4 of the way through. I didn't want to influence my own style as a writer with the book's lack of literary excellence. May sound snobbish... (sorry).
May 8, 2017
This book is about the Armenian genocide that occurred around the time of the first world war. From the author's descriptions, I could visualize the time and place of a small village in what is now part of Turkey. I had not heard of this atrocity previously. The author has a personal connection through her family line. As you may expect from the subject matter, it is at times difficult to read and internalize such horrendous and sad events. I recommend it to those who like historical fiction, or who want to learn about lesser known episodes in history.
March 30, 2016
First of all I want to say thank you to Maral Boyadjian for bringing this heart-warming story to us.
Until I read "As the Poppies Bloomed", I had no knowledge of the Armenian genocide of the early 1900’s. The grandparents of Boyadjian were actually survivors of the genocide portrayed herein.
The book is well written and researched; the characters and events depicted are memorable. I highly recommend "As the Poppies Bloomed", it's a story you will never forget.
Until I read "As the Poppies Bloomed", I had no knowledge of the Armenian genocide of the early 1900’s. The grandparents of Boyadjian were actually survivors of the genocide portrayed herein.
The book is well written and researched; the characters and events depicted are memorable. I highly recommend "As the Poppies Bloomed", it's a story you will never forget.
August 1, 2018
This book is a fictionalized account of the author’s family’s experiences during the Armenian genocide. For this reason, it feels mean-spirited to say that I didn’t like the book. It wasn’t the subject matter; I’ve read wonderfully written books about the Armenian genocide. Rather, I found the writing style bland and character development weak. Stylistically it seemed almost child-like, lacking depth, fluffy chick-lit meets real-life tragedy.
October 12, 2015
This book is something else. Well written, but terrible. I suppose it hits the point about the terrifying reality of the Armenian genocide.
April 1, 2025
I had wanted to read this to get a perspective on the Armenian genocide and the lead-up to WWI. I had read that the author based the story on her four grandparents, who all survived the genocide.
The story was very engaging, though I had difficulty keeping all the names straight, and who belonged to which family. The book is light on the genocide and WWI, and heavy on the love story. (That's okay -- I don't read many of those so it was a nice change.) The story opens with Anno sneaking off to see Daron on the day of her sister Lucine's wedding in Salor, Sassoun (now part of Turkey) in 1913. Weddings at that time are very much family negotiated. The author hints a few times that Lucine didn't get to marry the one who really had her heart.
I thought the main dilemma the book solved was that Anno's father ended up agreeing to their marriage after initially surprising everyone and rejecting the proposal. That sets off a big adventure when a grieving Anno runs off and gets caught in a big storm with Turgay, a demented old lady who wanders around looking for her dead mother. Turgay happens to be Kurdish, and the relations between Anno's village and their Kurdish neighbors across the river are delicate but cordial. Turgay dies, but Anno survives after a long illness and recuperation.
But this excitement only happened about halfway through the book, so what was going to happen in the second half? Life goes on, Anno and Daron are wed, and have a baby girl. The winds of war are rising, but the villagers in Salor think they're isolated by the trouble by their location in the mountains. I have always wondered why the Christian Armenians were targeted for genocide, and the author doesn't really provide much to answer the question. Nevertheless at some point the Kurds, at the behest of the Turks, have decided that the Christians have to go and the fighting, killing, and escaping commences.
I was surprised at the ending, having thought that the author's four grandparents all escaped, so the protagonists in this story would too. I was wrong, and that was pretty unsettling!
The story was very engaging, though I had difficulty keeping all the names straight, and who belonged to which family. The book is light on the genocide and WWI, and heavy on the love story. (That's okay -- I don't read many of those so it was a nice change.) The story opens with Anno sneaking off to see Daron on the day of her sister Lucine's wedding in Salor, Sassoun (now part of Turkey) in 1913. Weddings at that time are very much family negotiated. The author hints a few times that Lucine didn't get to marry the one who really had her heart.
I thought the main dilemma the book solved was that Anno's father ended up agreeing to their marriage after initially surprising everyone and rejecting the proposal. That sets off a big adventure when a grieving Anno runs off and gets caught in a big storm with Turgay, a demented old lady who wanders around looking for her dead mother. Turgay happens to be Kurdish, and the relations between Anno's village and their Kurdish neighbors across the river are delicate but cordial. Turgay dies, but Anno survives after a long illness and recuperation.
But this excitement only happened about halfway through the book, so what was going to happen in the second half? Life goes on, Anno and Daron are wed, and have a baby girl. The winds of war are rising, but the villagers in Salor think they're isolated by the trouble by their location in the mountains. I have always wondered why the Christian Armenians were targeted for genocide, and the author doesn't really provide much to answer the question. Nevertheless at some point the Kurds, at the behest of the Turks, have decided that the Christians have to go and the fighting, killing, and escaping commences.
I was surprised at the ending, having thought that the author's four grandparents all escaped, so the protagonists in this story would too. I was wrong, and that was pretty unsettling!
January 31, 2020
I read the paperback version.
This story takes place in the Ottoman Empire in the second decade of the Twentieth Century. During World War I to be exact. As the Poppies Bloomed is historical fiction and woven from the author’s grandparents true experiences in the Armenian Genocide. The story unfolds from the point of view of a young Armenian girl in love, destined to an arranged marriage. Nothing during wartime is ever simple and this story touches on so many complexities of life then and there.
What I Did Like
I enjoyed this book. The description of the landscape was marvelous. I had no problems mentally transporting myself there while reading. It took until about a third of the way in for me to get fully hooked which is when the plot finally picked up. There was a good character development and it wasn’t difficult to read. Additionally I learned about the Armenian Genocide of which I’d never heard about. You can definitely see similarities between what happened then and what’s going on over there now.
What I Didn’t Like
The only thing about this book I didn’t really care for was the character names! I know they were authentic and properly assigned. For some reason I had trouble keeping all the characters straight and found myself backtracking to make sure I’d read correctly. That part I didn’t like. Once I just read, and quit trying so hard, it got easier and more enjoyable. Toward the end I got it all sorted out.
Should You Read It?
If you enjoy historical fiction and war time settings, you’ll very likely enjoy this book. It has won a number of literary awards and is definitely worth the time and quite edifying.
This story takes place in the Ottoman Empire in the second decade of the Twentieth Century. During World War I to be exact. As the Poppies Bloomed is historical fiction and woven from the author’s grandparents true experiences in the Armenian Genocide. The story unfolds from the point of view of a young Armenian girl in love, destined to an arranged marriage. Nothing during wartime is ever simple and this story touches on so many complexities of life then and there.
What I Did Like
I enjoyed this book. The description of the landscape was marvelous. I had no problems mentally transporting myself there while reading. It took until about a third of the way in for me to get fully hooked which is when the plot finally picked up. There was a good character development and it wasn’t difficult to read. Additionally I learned about the Armenian Genocide of which I’d never heard about. You can definitely see similarities between what happened then and what’s going on over there now.
What I Didn’t Like
The only thing about this book I didn’t really care for was the character names! I know they were authentic and properly assigned. For some reason I had trouble keeping all the characters straight and found myself backtracking to make sure I’d read correctly. That part I didn’t like. Once I just read, and quit trying so hard, it got easier and more enjoyable. Toward the end I got it all sorted out.
Should You Read It?
If you enjoy historical fiction and war time settings, you’ll very likely enjoy this book. It has won a number of literary awards and is definitely worth the time and quite edifying.
January 13, 2018
Boyadjian is of Armenian heritage and wrote this book to honor her grandparents and tell the story of the atrocities in Armenia a hundred years ago. If I had heard about it, I have forgotten, or it just got morphed into all the horror stories of WWI. But this is a lovely book in spite of the pervasive fear and the inevitable sadness. I always find it interesting to learn about other cultures and their ways of life and this didn't disappoint. The story pace is comfortable, the writing style is very nice. Characters are well developed. For me the biggest take-away is the apparently intractable essence of tribalism, how it shapes every day life and especiallly determines how we interact with others. We see these intractable tribal alliances through the ages and still in the 21st century. And they present such a conundrum because they are so valuable in many aspects of life and yet so destructive in other aspects. How to keep a strong cultural identity while also being able to find common ground with others. How do we all live in peace and harmony. Maybe it simply isn't possible. This book is a very good read with sociological pieces as well as a good history lesson, all told with the backdrop of a lovely love story.
January 3, 2020
An insightful view into one of the most tragic events of recent history that has been lost to us and never studied in history classes. The author gives detailed backgrounds into the lives of one specific Armenian village in eastern Anatolia, drawing from the lives of her four surviving grandparents. However, at times the reading can get a bit confusing.
The novel takes place over 2-3 years, beginning in 1913 and ends with the Epilogue in 1976. It is only in the last 10 or so chapters that the actual genocide has started and therefore depicted and discussed. The first 2/3 of the novel prepares the readers for what is to come with the characters preparing for the future which feels "different from the other times."
The genocide is depicted in not too much graphic detail but the reader can clearly understand what is happening. For those interested in learning more, this is a good introduction.
The novel takes place over 2-3 years, beginning in 1913 and ends with the Epilogue in 1976. It is only in the last 10 or so chapters that the actual genocide has started and therefore depicted and discussed. The first 2/3 of the novel prepares the readers for what is to come with the characters preparing for the future which feels "different from the other times."
The genocide is depicted in not too much graphic detail but the reader can clearly understand what is happening. For those interested in learning more, this is a good introduction.
February 5, 2019
After reading about the Armenian Genocide in Chris Bohjalians book "The Sand Castle Girls", I wanted to read another fact based fiction book about the same topic. I chose this book because the author is Armenian as is Bohjalian.
This novel tells the story of an Armenian family, marrying off their daughter in the year leading up to the arrival of the Turks and the devastation from the Ottoman Empire. I appreciated the way the author stays true to the customs and traditions of the family. The food, the marriage arrangements, and basically the way of life for the average Armenian family in 1900's. The story was slow to start, the character development a bit hard to follow, but halfway through it stayed intriguing.
This novel tells the story of an Armenian family, marrying off their daughter in the year leading up to the arrival of the Turks and the devastation from the Ottoman Empire. I appreciated the way the author stays true to the customs and traditions of the family. The food, the marriage arrangements, and basically the way of life for the average Armenian family in 1900's. The story was slow to start, the character development a bit hard to follow, but halfway through it stayed intriguing.
December 17, 2019
This is a historical fiction based on the memories of the author’s grandparents, survivors of the horrendous event of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The stories chronicles a group of Armenian characters of a small village. The author vividly describes these people, their traditions and life style. They are Christians in a Muslim land. Against the backdrop of this dangerous time for the Armenians, it is a story of Anno and Daron’s love for each other. I knew about the Armenian Genocide and was hesitant in reading this book believing the outcome would not be a good one, but I’m glad I decided to read it.
May 5, 2017
This was a very moving story of an Armenian village in Turkey just before WWI. The characters were memorable and the descriptions of daily life and of rituals were interesting. This was the beginning of the infamous Armenian Genocide so it doesn't end happily but it's a wonderful tribute to the strength and determination of the Armenian people and to their history. It was nice to read of the author's connection to this history and of her affection for her ancestors.
March 10, 2019
This novel had all the components to be a book I loved, but it fell flat. Instead of diving into one story and investing the reader, major events were simply stated in one sentence. I don’t want to learn about characters to have them killed so simply, I would have rather she not introduce them at all. It seemed more like an outline of the story the author really wanted to tell than a finished novel.
December 20, 2020
I have to admit that I knew nothing of the Armenian genocide of the 1910s and 20s. This novel brings to life the communities that lived in the Anatolian region of what is now Turkey and the ordinary lives they lived until the First World War broke out and legitimised the ethnic cleansing by the Turks and Kurds of the Christian minority.
The book is well written and the characters very real and sympathetic.
The book is well written and the characters very real and sympathetic.
September 18, 2017
A very good, sad book about the Armenian genocide in the mid 1900s. A tale mostly unknown by many Americans. My grandfather was Macedonian, but he also had gruesome tales about the Turks raiding his village in present day Yugoslavia. The women of the village, including his young wife, threw themselves off a cliff rather than be captured by the Turks.
February 13, 2018
This was a really hard book to read. I am ashamed to admit before reading it, that I knew very little, well almost nothing, about the Armenian Genocide that took place from 1915-1922, during WWI. What begins as a love story continues through the horrors of war. I will not soon forget this fact based fictional novel.
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