The Gimmicks

More about the book

Set during the late Cold War, this debut novel follows three young Armenians as they journey from the Soviet Union to Southern California, exploring the profound impact of the Armenian Genocide on their lives. Beginning in Kirovakan, Armenia, in 1971, we meet Ruben Petrosian, a serious young man focused on mastering backgammon and studying his ancestry. He mourns the victims of the 1915 genocide, dreaming of vengeance against those who deny it. Ruben's life changes when his cousin Avo arrives. Avo, gregarious and physically imposing, quickly becomes beloved, forming a deep bond with Ruben. However, their lives diverge when Ruben is drafted into an extremist group intent on forcing Turkey to acknowledge the genocide. In his absence, Avo and Mina grow closer. Fate reunites the cousins when Ruben secretly persuades Avo to abandon Mina and join the extremists, a decision that alters their destinies. The narrative unfolds through alternating perspectives, including Terry "Angel Hair" Krill, a US Navy veteran and professional wrestler whose life intersects with Avo, Ruben, and Mina in unexpected ways. Through this intricate storytelling, the author illuminates the effects of history and injustice on ordinary lives, prompting readers to confront the reality of violence and its aftermath.