Between the Two Rivers: A Story of the Armenian Genocide

by Aida Kouyoumjian

Between the Two Rivers is the story of Mannig, a young girl growing up in the years following the Armenian Genocide. Mannig has seen both her parents and most of her siblings murdered by the gendarmes. After years living on the streets in what is now eastern Iraq, fighting with the other children for camel dung to trade for bread, she enters an orphanage set up for the surviving Armenian children. Later, the children are transferred to Bagdad, where she begins life anew. Between the Two Rivers is a candid and moving memoir of the author's mother, who endured indescribable atrocities and hardship growing up Orthodox in a Muslim land.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Biography

346 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2010

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sad when this book ended. It was a really good story based on her mother's true life experience as an orphan of the Armenian Genocide. A real life Middle Eastern Cinderella story of sorts. I highly recommend this book and I applaud the author.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve looked for a book about the Armenian genocide often without much luck. This has been on my shelves for years but was unavailable through my usual channels. I finally broke down and bought it. I was disappointed that it felt like one family’s story in a way that didn’t offer a broader view nor endeared me to them. The writing was also frustrating. At times detailed then chapters cut off abruptly, the movement through Mannig’s journey rushed, culminating in her sudden marriage, the end. The historic timeline in the back of the book offered more of what I hoped for but was brief.

[Elisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected but still a good read. While not directly about the Armenian Genocide this tells the story of the orphans left after the Genocide and the orphanages they live in. The writing was a bit slow but the telling of what these children faced is still very interesting. I'm currently reading the sequel to this book "Beyond the Two Rivers" and am finding that one a much smoother read.

[Sharon Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know about the Armenian genocide. A gentle introduction into an ugly part of world history. Aida Kouyoumjian tells the story of her mother, Manning, a displaced Armenian during the worst of conditions. Manning, a bright, resourceful girl went from wealth in Turkey to the streets of Mosul, taking care of herself after the deaths of all of her family except one sister. But the tragedy turns fairy tale when a handsome prince takes her away. Miracles do happen even when men are being incredibly evil.

[Julie Murphy-Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, Before I read this book, I had only heard of the "Armenian Genocide" and didn't know anything about it. This true story is told from the point of view of an Armenian orphan left to fend for herself in Iraq after WWI. The first 3/4 of the book really moves along, after that it drags a little.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful story

Easy read.. While a sad story throughout, Mannig manages to find positive in every living situation and it ultimately ends in a love story. I would have liked more detail at the end, but am not sure it is relevant.

[Tara Chevrestt]

DNF. The writing was too child-like and in my opinion, annoying. Just wasn't for me.

[Alison]

kindle 346 (adoption) Armenian genocide