A tour-de-force, Rosie Malek-Yonan's "The Crimson Field" is a brilliant and gritty historical and literary novel with enormous implications. Uncompromising and un-flinching, it is based on real events and true family chronicles set to the backdrop of the Assyrian Massacres of 1914-1918 in Urmi, Iran. This is a unique triumph in that the Assyrian tragedy unfolds in an epic novel, the first of its kind, supported by actual painstakingly researched historical facts of a nation's raw and agonizing past; a nation that has never been fully healed of its bleeding wounds and still grieves for its fallen martyrs. Malek-Yonan's intense interest in her family s history that cannot be separated from her Assyrian heritage and historical events that have swept that nation in a deluge of bloodbath, began more than two decades ago. As she embarked on her journey of discovery, searching family documents and probing for her roots, she found a commonality with her Assyrian people who experienced the same trenchant attacks as her family at the hands of the Turks and Kurds nearly a century ago. "The Crimson Field" is a harsh, yet poetic, narrative of the author s maternal grand-mother, Maghdleta s lifelong struggle to come to terms with a momentary decision made in haste during the brutality of the Assyrian Massacres and Genocide. "The Crimson Field" is a reconstruction of history, brick by brick, reassembling the un-imaginable losses suffered by an Assyrian woman and those of her nation. Rosie Malek-Yonan s high-spirited approach affords the reader a rare glimpse into the lives of a nation bereaved and long imagined to be forgotten. This epic novel is a tender reminder of the resilience of a people in their quest for survival. "The Crimson Field" is the author s Requiem Mass for her Assyria.
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Few people within the mainstream American culture even know the Assyrian people still exist. Fewer know anything about the Genocide perpetrated against them. Almost three million Assyrian, Armenian and Greek Christians were murdered by the Islamic Ottoman Turks during World War I because of their ethnicity and faith. The Crimson Field assigns faces and names to the victims of this dreadful chapter of history. It captures the plight of an Assyrian girl, helplessly caught up in the turmoil of her surroundings. Malek-Yonan's work shines a terrible light on an overlooked study of Islamic violence during the 20th Century. It is a must read for any person interested in learning about the personal cost of Islamic Jihad. --Lee Enokian,The Times (Northwest Indiana) and The Illinois Leader
Upon seizing Jerusalem in 1799, the future French Emperor Napoleon was said to have been struck by the sight of pious Jews shedding tears beside the Wailing Wall. Still further struck when informed that the Temple above the Wall had been ruined over 17 centuries before, he could not but exclaim in amazement: And they are still weeping! So are the Assyrians, who have a Wailing Wall of their own after being expelled from their historical motherland in 1918. This is Urmia, the focus of their 19th century efforts to revive the Assyrian culture and regain nationhood. Losing it caused a similar frustration to the loss of Nineveh 25 centuries earlier. A bleeding wound in the national psyche that ensued is best compared to a lesion in the heart from a severe life-threatening attack. It badly hurts and will continue so in many more generations of the Assyrian people. The dispersal of the Jews is part of common knowledge. The 20th century flight and subsequent dispersal of the Assyrians are largely to the Assyrians themselves. Being untold and unexplained, this tragedy is all the more hurtful, creating the feeling of desperation and no way forward for them. This tragic feeling pulsates in "The Crimson Field" by Ms. Rosie Malek-Yonan. A composer, a pianist, a film and stage actress, and a gifted writer, so talented a person is the best imaginable mouthpiece for this feeling. She expresses it so intelligently, caringly and tactfully, that an image arises of a suffering nation that gradually overcomes a tragedy in its recent past with wisdom and spiritual fortitude. The plot is centered on the family history of an Assyrian woman named Maghdleta. This history unfolds as part of the recent history of the entire Assyrian people. All major events with the Assyrians in the 20th century are reconstructed with scientific precision and in places they almost give the novel the feel of a documentary. Overarching everything are marvelous love stories of rare psychological elaboration and artistic quality. They are a golden find in the novel. Mastership of music enables the author to provide precise emotional and psychological guidance for the reader, setting fine tonal guidelines for each passage in her book. Characters from four generations of women are in the spotlight, Pari, Maghdleta, Maghdleta's daughters and Maghdleta's granddaughters. The main supporting characters (such as Soeur Marie, Zahra Khanoom, Shakar and Madam Gaudin), too, are all women. This feminine prevalence in the book creates overwhelming passion and emotion which keep the reader riveted. Emotional poignancy in the novel comes to its peak in a small girl named Fibronia. Her tragic story reasserts the old maxim that the treasures of the entire world cannot redeem a single tear of a weeping child. Last, but by no means least, the author treats her complicated and multifaceted subject in ways and terms that are easily comprehensible and quite simple. My everyday tongue is Russian, but, unexpectedly and I am never tired of thanking God for this I easily read "The Crimson Field" in its original language, English. Moreover, I read it on a single breath. Ms. Rosie Malek-Yonan succeeded in winning what writing is actually for, emotional and intellectual involvement by the reader. --Professor S.G. Osipov, MD, PhD, DSc, Moscow, Russia
I have completed reading your wonderful historical novel, The Crimson Field. It is, in my opinion, truly a fine piece of writing, and I congradulate you. You have done a great service to the Assyrian people and to humanity in general by recording the terrible tragedy that befell the Assyrian people in the early 20th century. --Prof. Dwight Simpson, Professor of International Relations, San Francisco State University, California
Upon seizing Jerusalem in 1799, the future French Emperor Napoleon was said to have been struck by the sight of pious Jews shedding tears beside the Wailing Wall. Still further struck when informed that the Temple above the Wall had been ruined over 17 centuries before, he could not but exclaim in amazement: And they are still weeping! So are the Assyrians, who have a Wailing Wall of their own after being expelled from their historical motherland in 1918. This is Urmia, the focus of their 19th century efforts to revive the Assyrian culture and regain nationhood. Losing it caused a similar frustration to the loss of Nineveh 25 centuries earlier. A bleeding wound in the national psyche that ensued is best compared to a lesion in the heart from a severe life-threatening attack. It badly hurts and will continue so in many more generations of the Assyrian people. The dispersal of the Jews is part of common knowledge. The 20th century flight and subsequent dispersal of the Assyrians are largely to the Assyrians themselves. Being untold and unexplained, this tragedy is all the more hurtful, creating the feeling of desperation and no way forward for them. This tragic feeling pulsates in "The Crimson Field" by Ms. Rosie Malek-Yonan. A composer, a pianist, a film and stage actress, and a gifted writer, so talented a person is the best imaginable mouthpiece for this feeling. She expresses it so intelligently, caringly and tactfully, that an image arises of a suffering nation that gradually overcomes a tragedy in its recent past with wisdom and spiritual fortitude. The plot is centered on the family history of an Assyrian woman named Maghdleta. This history unfolds as part of the recent history of the entire Assyrian people. All major events with the Assyrians in the 20th century are reconstructed with scientific precision and in places they almost give the novel the feel of a documentary. Overarching everything are marvelous love stories of rare psychological elaboration and artistic quality. They are a golden find in the novel. Mastership of music enables the author to provide precise emotional and psychological guidance for the reader, setting fine tonal guidelines for each passage in her book. Characters from four generations of women are in the spotlight, Pari, Maghdleta, Maghdleta's daughters and Maghdleta's granddaughters. The main supporting characters (such as Soeur Marie, Zahra Khanoom, Shakar and Madam Gaudin), too, are all women. This feminine prevalence in the book creates overwhelming passion and emotion which keep the reader riveted. Emotional poignancy in the novel comes to its peak in a small girl named Fibronia. Her tragic story reasserts the old maxim that the treasures of the entire world cannot redeem a single tear of a weeping child. Last, but by no means least, the author treats her complicated and multifaceted subject in ways and terms that are easily comprehensible and quite simple. My everyday tongue is Russian, but, unexpectedly and I am never tired of thanking God for this I easily read "The Crimson Field" in its original language, English. Moreover, I read it on a single breath. Ms. Rosie Malek-Yonan succeeded in winning what writing is actually for, emotional and intellectual involvement by the reader. --Professor S.G. Osipov, MD, PhD, DSc, Moscow, Russia
I have completed reading your wonderful historical novel, The Crimson Field. It is, in my opinion, truly a fine piece of writing, and I congradulate you. You have done a great service to the Assyrian people and to humanity in general by recording the terrible tragedy that befell the Assyrian people in the early 20th century. --Prof. Dwight Simpson, Professor of International Relations, San Francisco State University, California
About the Author
Assyrian author Rosie Malek-Yonan is a classically trained composer, pianist, actor, director, writer, and documentary filmmaker. She has appeared in numerous notable television shows, films and stage plays appearing opposite many of Hollywood's leading actors. Most recently, she played the role of Nuru Il-Ebrahim, opposite Reese Whitherspoon in New Line Cinema's "Rendition" directed by Oscar winning director, Gavin Hood which will be released late 2007. She is an outspoken advocate of issues concerning Assyrians, in particular bringing attention to the Assyrian Genocide and the plight of today's Assyrians in Iraq since the U.S. lead invasion of Iraq in 2003. When "The Crimson Field" was brought to the attention of Washington insiders, on June 30, 2006, the author was invited to testify on Capitol Hill before a Congressional Committee of the 109th Congress on religious freedom regarding the genocide, massacres and persecution of Assyrian Christians in Iraq. She also serves on the Board of Advisors at Seyfo Center in Holland that deals exclusively with Assyrian Genocide matters.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A FABULOUS BOOK!,
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This review is from: The Crimson Field (Hardcover)
Rosie Malek-Yonan's historical novel, The Crimson Field, has become a permanent bookmark as the most relevant literary work by an Assyrian author. Ms. Malek-Yonan has singularly placed the Assyrian Genocide under a giant spotlight. The Crimson Field is a landmark achievement for the Assyrian nation in that it has pulled the Assyrian identity out of obscurity and into the light. A nation long thought to be forgotten has comes to life through this masterful depiction of human violence and kindness. It is truth in its absolute form. After the author has taken you on a journey of grief and unimaginable loss, the reader is finally led to walk away with a clear message of optimism. I highly recommend this book not because I am an Assyrian, but mostly because The Crimson Field transcends race, nationality and color. It is about humanity, courage, love, determination and above all hope.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Crimson Field,
This review is from: The Crimson Field (Hardcover)
The Crimson Field is the most virtuous testimony of the 1914-1918 Assyrian Genocide. I have long searched for literature that would act as a bridge and connect me to the past. I spent many years of my life researching Assyrian history and speaking to Assyrian writers, poets and Politicians about the Genocide.
As I read the historical and literary epic novel, I could not get myself to put the book down. There were moments where I could not stop crying, and moments where my heart was filled with joy and pride for the Assyrian people. When I finished the book, I felt a rebirth of every Assyrian victim in the massacres within me. The Crimson Field incited me to create an entire music piece in a humble attempt to voice the long silent and hidden truth exposed today, on its pages. The courage presented by author Rosie Malek-Yonan; in writing this book is the same courage displayed by the victims, when they were massacred. Today, she is their voice. She utters the truth; without any fear or justification. Through the Crimson Field, The massacres committed against the Assyrian Nation are being recognized by the world. I encourage everyone to stand by Rosie Malek-Yonan and hold The Crimson Field close to his/her heart as testimony to the massacres, in hope that the voices of the victims will be heard and the Assyrian land and people, protected. I also testify that all of the historic events delivered in this masterpiece have actually occurred and are absolutely genuine. From a global perspective, The Crimson Field is also a great reference for those interested in understanding the roots of radical Islamic terrorism, the world is facing today. The Crimson Field demonstrates the acts of pure evil in which the United States faced; through the 911 attacks. Thus, those who committed the Assyrian Genocides carry the same banner as those who committed the 911 attacks. The Crimson Field truthfully displays the motives and missions of those who seek to destroy and kill anyone that does not follow their radical path. The Crimson Field is a beam of light striking through a tunnel of bloodshed, rape and abuse of a Nation that was once; the cradle of civilization. The Crimson Field is a piercing and indisputable voice of those who can no longer speak for their human rights and those who are, until this day, afraid to ask for their human rights.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book,
This review is from: The Crimson Field (Hardcover)
This is a great book which shows the extents of the crimes done to Assyrians during WWI by Moslems. Even today, Assyrians are being persecuted for their only crime is being Christians. History does repeat itself and I hope books like this would make people aware of the crimes done against humanity. This book is very well written, a great story. I would recommend this book to everyone especially Assyrians so they know more about happened during WWI.
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