William Saroyan: Part of His Heart in Armenia...

• 08.31.2016, 19:35
•  America,  Armenia,  Diaspora

lichnosti.net

"I do not write in Armenian, but I look at the world in Armenian." These are the words of William Saroyan – famous American writer of Armenian origin. Today is his birthday. The writer was born on August 31, 1908 in Fresno, California, in a poor family of Armenian migrants.

Despite the fact that Saroyan was born in the US, the worldview and the attitude of the author, his spirit are Armenian. He was born and all his life remained Armenian. "Although I write in English, and despite the fact that I’m from America, I consider myself an Armenian writer. The words I use are in English, the surroundings I write about are American, but the soul, which makes me write, is Armenian. This means I am an Armenian writer and deeply love the honor of being a part of the family of Armenian writers," Saroyan once said.

Saroyan's heroes are simple and not so happy people, about whom he wrote with warmth, compassion and hope for good.

William Saroyan wrote more than a thousand stories, twelve pieces and a dozen novels. One of his best works is considered "The Human Comedy", 1942, partially an autobiography. "I know you will remember this — that nothing good ever ends. If it did, there would be no people in the world — no life at all, anywhere. And the world is full of people and full of wonderful life," Saroyan wrote this in his "The Human Comedy".

This year the premiere of the film "Ithaca" shot partially on the basis of Saroyan's "The Human Comedy" will take place on December 31, 2016, Horizon Weekly reports.

In general, Saroyan addressed to a variety of genres and themes: from his historic homeland ("The Armenian and the Armenian") to pacifism ("The Adventures of Wesley Jackson"). He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize (1940) for best drama ("The best years of your life"), which he refused to take, as well as "Oscar" (1944) for "The Human Comedy".

William Saroyan died on May 18, 1981 in Fresno, where he was buried. However, according to his will, part of his heart was brought to Armenia...