During National Memoir Writing Month, 88-year-old Armenian-American author Shahen Guiragossian has released his debut memoir, The Hawk, illustrating that personal narratives can emerge powerfully at any stage of life. The book explores themes of survival, heritage, and hope through the lens of his family's experience with the Armenian Genocide and his own immigrant journey.
Born to survivors of the Armenian Genocide, Guiragossian grew up in an environment marked by silence and unspoken grief. His memoir traces a path from the shadow of inherited trauma toward a life built on loyalty, love, and perseverance. "Resilience runs in our blood. My parents had it, I had it, and I hope others see that they have it too," Guiragossian said.
The Hawk functions as both a refugee memoir and a testament to the strength of brotherhood and chosen family. Written in his eighth decade, the work captures a lifetime of endurance—from rebuilding after loss to finding meaning in later life. It serves as a reminder that stories of survival do not fade with age but instead deepen with perspective.
Guiragossian's commitment extends beyond storytelling; he donates proceeds from the book to the Armenian Relief Society and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. This dual dedication honors both his family's heritage and the memory of a nephew lost in the September 11 tragedy, linking personal history with broader humanitarian causes.
The memoir's publication during National Memoir Writing Month underscores the cultural importance of preserving personal and collective histories. For immigrant communities and descendants of trauma, such narratives provide vital connections to heritage while offering universal reflections on family, identity, and the human spirit's capacity to heal.
By choosing to publish later in life, Guiragossian challenges conventional timelines for creative expression and demonstrates that lived experience itself can become a powerful form of legacy. The Hawk is available in multiple formats through Amazon, while additional information can be found on the author's website at https://www.thehawkmemoir.com.
This release contributes to ongoing conversations about intergenerational trauma, memory preservation, and the role of personal narrative in cultural continuity. For readers, it offers both a specific historical perspective and a broader meditation on resilience that resonates across diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
