David of Sassoun, Retold by David Kherdian (softcover)

Called one of the great epics of world literature, David of Sassoun dates to the ninth century. It was first recorded in 1874. More than a hundred versions were recorded in the following decades. It remains one of the greatest identifying symbols of Armenia.

“With my retelling I am convinced we have something that moves closer to the original than any translation could ever do. Imagination plays a role in this because it is important to divine the original intent and purpose of this tale, that was first of all an entertainment, a teaching story, tha is, an allegory. The storyteller is not going to give his purpose away, he is not an instructor but an informer, an enlightener, who works invisibly, with mirrors if necessary, using his special skills, which are very different for a bard working orally, than with a storyteller that uses word on paper” (From the preface by David Kherdian).