Hovhannes Toumanian
A Selection of Stories, Lyrics, and Epic Poems

This book presents to the English-speaking public a sampling of the literary works of Hovhannes Toumanian (1869-1923), an artist consequential not only to any study of modern Armenian literature but also to any attempt at capturing some of the flavor of Armenian national life. Although Toumanian's various writings may have been set amidst circumstances strange to most readers of this collection, the universality of his literary witness to fundamental human verities certainly engages and speaks to a great variety of men. Toumanian's works reflect many of the contours of Armenia's physical and social landscapes. Simple in style yet rich in implication, these works present us with finely ordered details of local color whose significance — thanks to his artistry — transcends local limitations.