Linda

Linda asked Chris Bohjalian:

Why didn't we ask our grandparents before it was too late? My grandparents who escaped the death march never talked about it. The horrors were too vivid. Years after my grandfather died, I found out that he & all the villagers were locked in a church and the Turks burned it down. He was the only one who escaped. My Grandmother had 1 family portrait, how did she keep that on the death march? Why didn't we ask?

Chris Bohjalian Indeed: why didn't we ask? My sense is we were too young or we understood on some level that the stories would be too painful to share. But sometimes we did ask and we learned. . . or we asked and the answer was evasive or withheld because the truth would simply have devastated us.

More Answered Questions

Frances Schoonmaker

Frances Schoonmaker asked Chris Bohjalian:

After reading Sandcastle Girls, I'm wondering about your reaction to the Senate's recognition of the Armenian genocide? If you prefer not to comment, understood.

MaryAnn

MaryAnn asked Chris Bohjalian:

I am waiting for The Guest Room to be released in audio. Tell me what helped inspire this story? I loved that you gave one of the women a narrative voice in the book.

Denise

Denise asked Chris Bohjalian:

Not a question but a comment -- I have read every book by Chris Bohjalian and I just can't believe how many different types of novels that he's written. There is something for everyone, from chills to thrills -- and so many that provoke incredible discussion. My book club (teens at a high school) most recently read CLOSE YOUR EYES, HOLD HANDS and we were blown away...I hope you are already on next book?

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Chris Bohjalian

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