Newmag presented four absolute bestsellers at FRANCOFEST (photos)

The author of the book “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair” became a super popular and famous writer at the age of 27. The novel about the Harry Quebert Affair became a global hit. Many years ago, this book was also read in Russian in Armenia. Journalist Zohrab Haroyan was one of the first to read the book and advised his colleagues to read it too. “This will appeal to people who want to write a new book. There are many tips at the beginning of each chapter that are useful for creative people”.

The translator of Joël Dicker's thick novel is Samvel Gasparyan. Here is some advice to the reader by the translator: When you pick up the book, take note that you will forget about everything. “This book proves that the time of great novels has not passed, and of course, I do not consider this book a great novel, because it is read quickly and in one breath. I do not recommend reading this book, because as soon as you pick it up, you will immediately forget everything, you will not leave the house until you have finished the whole book”.

Newmag presented the book in collaboration with “Zangak Bookstore”.  This was the third joint detective book released within a year. Astghik Ohanyan, the head of cultural programs of “Zangak Bookstore” is confident that this book will also be a great success. “This is a detective story, considered a literary sensation, where murder, tension, and everything that interests the readers exists. It is a very famous work worldwide, and I am confident that it will become a bestseller in Armenia as well because Armenian readers are very interested in detective stories”.

The wife of the translator of "Blue Beard" by Amélie Nothomb, Taguhi Blblulyan, says that when her husband discovered this writer, he offered all the publishers to translate her works. But he only received rejections. “He lost hope and did not believe that anyone would translate. When Newmag proposed this, he was already in poor health and unfortunately, he passed away unaware that the book would be published”.

“Divine” Amélie is the nickname for Nothomb. The Blue Beard is her 20th novel. It is based on a famous fairy tale. Nothomb is a master of paradox. She turned the medieval tale into a modern story about a reclusive, strange aristocrat and a young, courageous woman. According to literary scholar Ani Janikyan, "Blue Beard" is an example of high-quality and noble literature. “The book is seasoned with subtle humor and glorious dialogues. Blue Beard is not a monster, AmélieNothomb reveals the hidden layers of his soul, showing it through a strong woman”.

The next masterpiece presented by Newmag at the festival was “Happy People Read and Drink Coffee”. With this novel, Agnès Martin-Lugand helps to overcome the loss and continue life. The book was translated into Armenian by Hasmik Arakelyan. “The author is a psychologist and one day she thinks about what would happen if her beloved husband and child were not alive. That's how she decides to use her professional skills and write a book about it”. 

After the book presentation, the writer contacted the translator via social network and expressed her joy that the work was translated into Armenian. According to Margarit Sargsyan, the editor of the novel, the book is presented in Armenian at the right time. “The writer presents the pain and loss with a simple plot and in such a way that every reader can feel it. We live in a period of many losses, and we need to find the strength to live. That's what this book is for”.

The fourth and last book presented at FRANCOFEST was Andrei Makin's novel "My Armenian Friend". It is a story about friendship and love. Through the character of his Armenian friend, the writer skillfully presents various tragic periods for Armenia and Armenians: Genocide, the Artsakh war, and the exile of dissidents. He writes about all that with emotional reverence, calling Armenian a sweet-smelling language, Armenians' life pure and sublime. He also presents the terrible events of 1915 in the Armenian lands occupied by the Ottomans. 

Through the small Armenian kingdom and his Armenian friend, Vardan, the 13-year-old orphan boy discovers little Armenia and warm relations, which contrast with the harshness of Siberia and the cruelty of exile.

These are four unique pieces of modern French literature that are a must-read. They are available on newmag.am website, and soon also in all bookstores.