The story climaxes as unexpected turn of events follow; she is reunited with her only surviving family member, her sister Adrine, she manages to convince the philanthropist to enlist her into the orphanage school, where her passion for education is fulfilled, and finally, the story ends on a much happier note, romance, love and a marriage to an Armenian wealthy philanthropist, that brings Mannig back to where the story began, a happy place of belonging and a life of luxury reminiscent of her early childhood.

Aida Kouyoumjian paints in minute details the vivid memories of her mother’s daily experiences. We smell, taste, see, hear… feel, cry and laugh alongside the hero. The powerful depiction of imagery painted in a colorful palette, reminds one of an oriental style painting, we are entertained by exotic places, people, and even humor in the middle of a tragic story.

Kouyoumjian successfully invites us to be witnesses to her mother’s tragic experiences that reflect not just one story but many more of such stories in the history of Armenian genocide and survival.

I recommend this book to everyone.

Sona Stewart

I am a colleague of Matthew Freeman’s through our association at St. Louis Poetry Center’s events. I have appreciated his poetry, recognizing its zanniness and edge–characteristics I probably need more of in my own work. I’ve also appreciated Matt’s friendliness extended to me whenever we run into each other. “I Guess You Call it Clarity” gave me a better understanding of his work. I loved the comparisons between himself and his imagined double. How many of us have had instances when we have thought like this? But Matt carries such imaginings to an extreme, with darkly painted contrasts in his images and lines. And the cover portrait of Matt is marvelous.