American writer Mark Mustyan`s award-winning work “Gendarme” is translated into Armenian by Maro Madoyan- Alajajyan.
American literary critic and translator Maro Madoyan- Alajajyan after the translation of Turkish writer Elif Shafak`s “The Bastard of Istanbul” also set to translate an American writer Mark Mustyan`s novel “Gendarme”. The book “Gendarme” printed 5 years ago brought a number of awards to the author and it was translated into 10 languages. While giving an interview to “Aravot” Mrs. Madoyan- Alajajyan(see the picture), describes “Gendarme” as a remarkable work of art where the author using tricks, raises the question, how is it possible that a man forgets that he has committed the crime. Mrs. Maro says that, previously Mustyan was connected to Armenians only by his surname; nothing else linked the writer to the Armenian. The American writer who has a Lawyer Education, in the copyright noticed that before 30 he even hadn’t fought of his ancestors. One a day he was inquired whether he was an Armenian and if he read Peter Balakyan’s “Black Dog of Fate”. After this event he searched and found the book, read it and was shocked, how the world could have such a terrible tragedy and many people including him, were unaware of the fact. After a while, Mustyan became more curious to know the stories of the survivors of Genocide and tried hard to find any other information, and then he wrote his “Gendarme”. The translator says that the book will be in Armenian very soon, and on this occasion, as well as the Genocide 100th anniversary, the author will participate in the events. Mrs. Madoyan- Alajajyan is sure that a lot can be done through art, literature and it can be done by means of telling tell the truth.
-“History does not reproduce everything correctly; the subjective approach disorders. However, if the writer is a truly noble one, he is trying to bring together the facts and to express it through art. It is much more vibrant and compelling; it is the case with this book.”
Our interlocutor said that she initially did not think of Mustayn`s book translation”.
-“Somebody advised to read and I read and felt that “Gendarme ” must be translated, just because it is very high from the artistic aspect of the case. This is also a story of love, human memory, how can a man try to take unfortunate events completely out of his mind. It is also made with a gendarme, the hero of gendarme is humanized by the author, and his sacrifice is humanized for the gendarme. When you characterize your enemy as not a human being, but as a cruel one, he seems to be a monster in your eyes, which at any time can be killed. But if you feel he is like you, you will not want to kill…
-“Gendarme is a man who has been on the wrong way since 17-year: on the road, where he was told that all he did was nothing else but patriotism, heroism. There were many monsters in the crimes, which were good sons, good husbands and good fathers for their families as well as good citizens. So how were they able to commit such crimes?”
The translator says it was very difficult for her to translate such a case, because there were pieces surreal and after the translation of that part she did not want to hear any more about it for a long time. After reading that story one American poet said that Mark Mustyan`s “Gendarme” was without any make-up, Canadian director Atom Egoyan described the book as an important and unique travel. The Library Journal also made a spectacular comment on the book.
– “Mustyan writes his awesome and unforgettable story in a ruthless, brilliant form, using not sentimental prose and brief outbursts of speech, reminding us: when the blood is shed, be careful not to lose t human qualities.”
Gohar HAKOBYAN
