My Name is Saroyan: A Collection

by William Saroyan, James H. Tashjian (Editor)

William Saroyan, whose identity as a major American author was strongly colored by his Armenian heritage, contributed frequently to "The Armenian Review," to which he gives credit for first publishing his work. This collection, published posthumously at his request, includes ninety-seven short stories, two plays, and four poems written between 1934 and 1963 and comprises one of the literary finds of the decade.

Saroyan was a restless man torn between two worlds--the Armenian past of his dead father, which he felt welling up inside him, and the American present whose opportunities and possibilities he exulted in. Editor James Tashjian has compiled a record of those three decades of conflict, most of it seen in print only by "Armenian Review" readers, that expands our appreciation of a unique talent whose energy and imagination made him a literary phenomenon.

from back cover

391 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1983

About the author

William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer, renowned for his novels, plays, and short stories. He gained widespread recognition for his unique literary style, often characterized by a deep appreciation for everyday life and human resilience. His works frequently explored themes of Armenian-American immigrant experiences, particularly in his native California, and were infused with optimism, humor, and sentimentality.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 17, 6pm ~~ Another Saroyan collection, another five stars. Loved this. So many incredibly moving stories here. Will attempt a review asap, when something comes to mind besides "I don't want it to be over".

May 22, 845am ~~ William Saroyan's work goes straight to my heart. That's all.

[herbmarium · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ոնց որ Սարոյանի օրագիրը կարդայի: Լրիվ ուրիշ կողմից տեսա իրեն, ու ինքը հեչ էլ էն անհոգ ու երջաբիկ պապիկը չի, ուղղակի անասելի ուժեղ ա ու անգամ ամենաբարդ թեմաների ու երևույթների մեջ փորձում ա ոչ իրեն կորցնել, ոչ էլ սիրելու, ժպտալու, երջանիկ լինելու կարողությունները:

[Cobertizo · Rating 3 out of 5]

"¡Destruyan armenia! !Miren si pueden hacerlo!
Sáquenlos de sus casas y envíenlos al desierto!
!Déjenlos sin comida!
Quemen sus casas e iglesias
Pero luego, miren sino son capaces
De volver a reír.
vean sino vuelven a cantar o a rezar.
Y cuando dos de ellos se encuentren en
cualquier lugar del mundo
vean sino vuelven a crear una nueva Armenia."

[Jude S]

Cool stories

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved "Hate" and "The Death of Children," two early Saroyan stories I had never read before.