American writer Michael J. Arlen explores his Armenian identity by making a trip to his ancestral homeland. As he grew up in New York and built a profession as a writer, he sees himself as American first and feels disconnected from his Armenian identity. His relationship with Armenia is as mysterious and confusing as his relationship with his first-generation immigrant father. On his trip, he hopes to find some answers.
Passage to Ararat is set in landlocked Armenia, bordered by Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. As an American visiting writer, Arlen, along with his wife, is given the white-glove treatment. A local tour guide takes them around sites that showcase the best and most important parts of Armenian culture and history.
At the center of the Armenian lived experience is the aftermath of the genocide perpetrated by the Turks in 1915 — a source of grief, shame, and shared pain. Arlen both understands and feels distant from this experience, which makes him frustrated and angry with himself. In the end, he leaves Armenia with more questions than answers.
This was the perfect fir for Armenia, for Around the World challenge. Have you read any famous Armenian works and if yes, what would you recommend?
