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Astrid Katcharyan,
Affinity with Night Skies: Astra Sabondjian’s Story,
(London and Reading: Taderon Press) 2005,
208 pp., ISBN 1903656486, map, Paperback GB£10.00 / US$17.00.
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This is the true story of Astra Sabondjian, born
into culture and privilege in late nineteenth century ancient
Armenia, which is no more. From her earliest days, savage wars force
a nomadic destiny through five countries, for more than forty years.
Set against a historical and political backdrop, the story analyses
the psychological perspectives of a reluctant heroine where life
imposes this. Refusing to be a victim, and driven by a mission to
build a safe haven around the people she loves, she meets
spine-chilling fate head on. Astra, idealistic, radical and
passionate, marries her hero, a well-known newspaper editor and
political activist, but living in an empire seething with brutality
and ethnic intolerances, mortal dangers are never far away. Forced
to abandon personal dreams, she reaches deep into her creative
talents, which take her to unexpected heights, but then…..in her
life she must learn to always expect the unexpected.
Astrid Katcharyan was born in London of Armenian
parents. Armenian is her first language. She spent her early years
in Venice, where her family still live. She graduated from London
University and currently works as a Careers Adviser, specialising in
Media Careers at the University of the Arts, London. She has
published a book on careers in the fashion industry as well as other
work related materials, but this is her first narrative work. She
lives with her son and partner in North London. |