“This story draws us into a vortex of human destiny, leaving the reader no room for judgment. You can’t even condemn Simon; the author transforms him from a carefree playboy into a figure who helps the person he loves undergo a profound transformation—some might even say he ‘resurrects’ that loved one. In prose rooted in Narine Abgaryan’s finest traditions, tragedy and cruelty are interwoven with wit and lightness.” — Rossiyskaya Gazeta

“Within its richly layered narrative tapestry, the book brims with Armenian culture and national identity, hidden family secrets, the haunting chants of late-night church services, and the scent of honey on a lover’s skin. And yet, there is absolutely no place for accusation, condemnation, or any such moralizing. It is precisely this generous acceptance that, in a sense, makes Abgaryan’s novel so successful—an almost biblical wisdom, crafted by someone whose very heartbeat seems to set our world in motion.” — Literary critic Anna Driyanidi

“A remarkable, heartfelt tale of human love” — Psychologies magazine

“Set against the backdrop of an ancient Armenian village, this book is steeped in folklore, wisdom, and humor.” — Snata.ru

“Narine Abgaryan is unmatched in her ability to shift seamlessly from humor to sincerity, from tragedy to delicate lyricism.” — Soyuz.ru

★ Rights sold to France, Italy, China, Poland, Armenia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Mongolia, and other countries!
★ Shortlisted for the 2021 Russian Big Book Award!
★ By Narine Abgaryan, winner of the Yasnaya Polyana Prize in Russia, whose works have been translated into more than ten languages!
★ “Simon” is the story of four extraordinary women on a journey of self-discovery. Narine Abgaryan takes readers to the Armenian village of Berd, where she portrays, with unwavering honesty, heartfelt warmth, and gentle humor, how its female characters evolve amidst the wartime, social, and psychological traumas of 20th-century Armenia.
★ In this novel, Abgaryan also tackles head-on themes that have long been considered taboo in Russian literature: women’s sexuality and reproduction, body image, and the psychological scars inflicted by misogyny rooted in war, poverty, culture, and institutional systems—all rendered with a blend of tragicomedy and wise, compassionate insight.
★ Film and stage rights have already been sold! Over 80,000 copies have been sold!

“Simon” is set in the Armenian village of Bardzravan and portrays the coming-of-age story of a generation of young women at the twilight of the Soviet era. With unwavering honesty and a touch of gentle humor, Abgaryan weaves her novel into the broader tapestry of twentieth-century Armenian history—genocide, civil war, two world wars, and the traumas of Soviet rule—all of which have left indelible marks on her characters. Many lost their fathers in World War II; their mothers bear the scars of war, hunger, and relentless toil; brides are abducted and branded with the stigma of rape; and societal customs and laws that deny women their rights further complicate their already arduous lives. Yet even amid such hardship, the community retains its humanity: a compassionate doctor shields a mentally ill woman from a vengeful husband; a neighbor slips much-needed money into a woman’s pocket; a mother-in-law takes the side of her daughter-in-law, betrayed by her own son. From the kindly yet rigid policeman Ilya to the elderly Katinka and the village simpleton Vardanush—each a keeper of secrets—the people of Bardzravan offer advice and heartfelt encouragement as they grapple with questions like how best to protect an infant swaddled in rags or how to disguise the bluish ears of a corpse.
The novel opens with townsfolk gathering to pay their final respects to 79-year-old Simon. A mason by trade, Simon was a man respected by his fellow citizens, yet also known for his romantic inclinations. To see him on his last journey, every woman he had ever loved has come to his home. Each carries her own tale. Simon was a frail, worldly, yet kind-hearted man who crossed paths with these women at pivotal moments in their lives, offering them both their first taste of sexual pleasure and the emotional solace they so desperately needed. He was no saint: through the fragments of stories told by the women, we glimpse a man who accepted his own failings. Though once seen as a promising draftsman, Simon dropped out of construction school and married Melaniea, a woman who would endure years of suffering as his affairs tormented her. At crucial junctures in his life, he chose sullen silence over decisive action to confront either himself or the women who loved him, a choice that only deepened the pain for both Simon and Melaniea.
After the other mourners have departed, four of the women join Melaniea for drinks and begin to recount their stories—each narrative forming a chapter of the novel. Sylvia suffers from a painful, undiagnosed vaginal condition and endures a marriage marked by domestic violence at the hands of a close partner who eventually commits her to an institution, severing all ties with her infant daughter. Eliza was abandoned by her mother and married a man captivated by another woman, who despises her and even tells her she carries a repulsive odor. Sophia, a spoiled girl, defies her family’s wishes and deliberately marries a man they disapprove of; she experiences multiple miscarriages and falls into despair over her persistent inability to conceive. Susanna is abducted and raped on the eve of her high school graduation, shattering her hopes for love and a better life. Her family’s struggles stand out even against the widespread poverty and dysfunction of the time.
Abgaryan’s novel tackles head-on themes long considered taboo in Russian-language literature: women’s sexuality and reproductive functions (and dysfunctions), body image, and the psychological trauma inflicted by misogyny rooted in war, poverty, culture, and institutional structures. Despite the often stark nature of its subject matter, “Simon” nonetheless radiates warmth and an abiding faith in human goodness. Abgaryan is not merely interested in individual female lives but in the ways these lives intertwine and sustain one another within the eternal cycle of existence: we are born from water, the sound of our mother’s voice is said to resemble the sea, and death is a return to its depths.

[Author] Narine Abgaryan
“The world today is witnessing wars breaking out in various corners. Why do these conflicts persist? Why do humans keep making so many mistakes? This is the task before our generation. We come from different places, with distinct stories, feelings, and mindsets. Yet our tears and blood are the same; our yearning for happiness is identical; and the joys and sorrows we experience are no different.” — Narine Abgaryan
Born in 1971 in Berd, Armenia, Narine grew up in a family of doctors and teachers. Her grandparents were refugees from Western Armenia. She graduated from Yerevan State University of Languages and Cultural Studies, earning a teaching certificate in Russian language and literature. Since 1993, Narine has lived in Moscow.
The Guardian has hailed Narine Abgaryan as one of Europe’s most insightful writers, noting the profound emotional impact of her prose. Her books have been translated into 14 languages and have sold over 200,000 copies. A devoted reader of One Hundred Years of Solitude, Narine is deeply committed to bringing to life the rich tapestry of Armenian history and memory—her spiritual home—in her work.
Narine’s breakthrough novel, “Mamounia’s Childhood,” won both the Best Manuscript Award of 2010 and the Russian Literary Prize. A stage adaptation was staged at SamArt and the Omsk Youth Theatre, and in 2021 it was turned into a 10-episode television series of the same name. Her novella “Three Apples Fell from Heaven” received the Yasnaya Polyana Prize and has been licensed for publication in 13 countries. “Simon” was shortlisted for the 2021 Big Book Award. Among her children’s works, “Semyon Andreyev’s Doodle Stories” won the “Little Nose” award at the New Literature Prize in 2013 and was named one of Russia’s best children’s books of the past decade. “The Giant Who Dreamed of Playing the Violin” was recognized as a top children’s title by the Papmambuk portal. She is also the author of other distinguished collections, including “The Person Who Has Always Been With Me.”