Armenian Author’s Novel Could ‘Save’ America, Say Some Critics

Los Angeles resident Armen Melikian’s first novel, Journey to Virginland, will be published by the end of this year; however, literary critics and analysts are already promising that the novel will be a “real revelation” in American literature.

According to the book’s official website, “Journey to Virginland explores the breakneck paradigm shifts of the 21st century, navigating through the morass with the guidance of Dog, the novel’s loutish yet wise antihero.

“Through a devilishly iconoclastic story line, Dog parses the key cultural and religious failures that have made for a world held hostage by hyper-capitalism, consumerism, and post-9/11 realpolitik on the one hand, and an ominous resurgence of nationalism and religious extremism on the other.

“Yet far from basking in a prospect of doom, Dog embarks on an impassioned quest for identity and meaning, ultimately proposing an exuberant, decidedly life-affirming vision of human transformation.”

Dog begins his journey toward western civilization. He enriches his life experience with love connections, sexual relations, official meetings and personal contacts with outstanding cultural figures; literary figures, in particular. He creates his own image of the world, develops his own map which mostly reflects those values which are specific to that country or people. Each country receives a new name according to Dog’s impressions.

For instance, according to him, Russia is called Whitebearland; Germany is Hamburgerland; Italy, Alpacinoland; the US, Satanland; Turkey, Pashaland; while the plains of Ararat, including the area of present-day Armenia is where Paradise can be found. New Armenia apparently has been moved to the Emerald Isle. 

The book has received praise and reviews by international critics. New York Times bestselling author and professor of literature at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, Paul McCarthy, had this to say: 

“I’m reminded of George Orwell’s classics, and other authors of similar stature, though there is no true parallel possible with a novel and trilogy as unique in concept and execution as Journey to Virginland.

“Journey to Virginland is the book that America needs in order to survive.”

Though the book won’t be published till the end of this year, it is being sold in limited copies at the official website:

http://www.journeytovirginland.com/