As long as hope continues to remain in Pandora's box, there will always be countless tales of hope — hope that gave people strength to rise above circumstances. Most such tales are a part of history, a continuing history. John D. Balian's debut novel “Grey Wolves and White Doves” promises to be one such thrilling tale closely interwoven with the history of the Middle East, which is also a part of the author's personal history.
“It is a coming of age story of a little boy in a tumultuous world in the Middle East,” explains Balian, who recently launched his book in the city. “It's about the adversities he faces as he grows up and how he overcomes them by never giving up on his dreams.”
The book is mostly autobiographical, said Balian in a telephone interview.
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“I was born in a remote village in the Middle East to a poor family. We faced so many tragedies that I ended up living in orphanages and I ran away, trying to take refuge in different countries to find a home. Fortunately, someone took me to the United States and sponsored my education,” said Balian.
Balian, an Armenian by heritage, holds a medical degree from the Tufts University and is now a senior executive at a multinational corporation. He was also recently elected to serve on the board of directors of the Armenian Centre of Columbia University.
His book, which is closely related to his heritage, also incidentally educates its readers on snippets of history.
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“I felt compelled to tell this story and I wanted to inspire and motivate others,” he says. “I also wanted to educate readers about the Middle East and its culture... It is a region where different rivalries exist between different people.”
The book also addresses what is probably the second most serious case of genocide after the Holocaust — the Armernian genocide by the Ottoman Empire.
The author's grandparents were survivors. “The book is not about the genocide; it is a sub-plot. One can't avoid the influence of history on people. Even now the sentiments of the genocide linger in the Armenians. The genocide is a well-documented historical event defended by 99 per cent of historians. Yet the Turkish government denies it.”
The title itself is closely connected to history and politics, says Balian. “I chose this title for its contrasts between grey and white, predators and the prey. The book contains scenes with wolves and horrific scenes with doves. The title also refers to a neo-fascist Turkish secret society that goes under the same name.” To sum up, the book is a meeting point between history, politics, heritage and life. “The book is influenced by culture, religion, family values, historical traditions, rivalries between different factions of people in the region. The values of good and evil come out through the characters in the book.”
Balian has almost made up his mind to write a sequel. “All those who read it want a sequel and I don't want to disappoint them. Before that I want to find an Indian publisher and also turn the book into a movie, maybe even in Bollywood,” he says with a laugh.
The author harbours a personal affinity to India because of the rich Armenian legacy in the country. “Armenia has a long history in India from the 14th century to the 20th century. Armenians used to be a vibrant community that contributed to India, largely to its art and architecture.”