Between the Two Rivers: A Story of the Armenian Genocide, Second Edition

Aida Kouyoumjian
Coffeetown Press (2011)
ISBN 9781603811118
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (9/11)


Sometimes when we read about adversity such as shared in this biography, "Between the Two Rivers," we think of Hitler and his dirty deeds. Yet there are many other religions and cultures, such as the Armenians, who suffered at the hands of others. The author, Aida Kouyoumjian, is the daughter of Mannig, who has survived a terrible life and loss.

In 1915, when Mannig and her family were torn from their homes and the only life they knew, their tragic journey began. Can you imagine what it is like to see all of your family members be killed, or have them die on death marches? Mannig and her sister did and so began their journey to stay together and survive. Survive they did but at what cost?

Mannig had no place to go, no food, no clothing or love from anyone. Even her sister abandoned her when she went to work for an Arab family.

Found by a kind and generous man, Mannig had the opportunity to go to an orphanage rather than live on the streets, but sometimes things are not what they seem.  Being shipped from one orphanage to another and not finding what one wanted is what Mannig experienced. All she wanted to do was go to school and become smart like her sister. Routines at each orphanage were different and Mannig wanted the comfort of living on the streets where she knew the unknowns. She wanted to dance and spread her wings and finally, after years and years of traumatic events, she was able to do that.

Kouyoumjian has been able to take her mother’s journey and write it as if she was there. She writes about every beating along with the starving and humiliation that her mother Mannig and aunt Adrine experienced. As a reader you will live this journey along with them.

This is not a ‘woe is me’ story. The author has done her research for historical facts and has given readers the chance to see firsthand what it was like during that time.  Unfortunately, many do not believe such devastation happened, or some are just in denial and won’t read true accounts from survivors - yet this did happen.

From the first page of “Between the Two Rivers,” your attention will be captured.  Readers won’t be able to put the book down. You will hiss at the villains and cheer for the underdogs.

Make comment on weblog

FTC Disclosure