It's all About People - A Variety of Characters in Old Jerusalem by Harout Bedrossian

Harout Bedrossian, a young Armenian writer from Old Jerusalem, succeeds in portraying in this compact novel a variety of characters from different walks of life who, unexpectedly, happen to connect and correlate with one another despite their diverse perspectives.

A young man with a low I.Q. struggles to fit in. Although he is perceived as devoid of emotions, ostracized by society, and abused by his father - he falls in love, and to his mother's surprise, a woman loves him back and accepts him, too.

A famous athlete, who has lost his fame and fallen into anonymity, is reinvigorated when he finds an understanding and forgiving young woman.

A psychiatrist, who happened to have "the wrong patient" that turned his life upside down, was forced into exile from Russia and finds himself in a completely different culture in his new country, while his past continues to haunt him.

A devout young Christian man, who was falsely accused and ended up in prison, is still full of life and hope, trusting in the Lord and believing that everything in life must happen for a reason.

An unfortunate rape victim learns to love again, and several more characters discover themselves through their interactions with each other.

The author doesn't mention the nationality of most of the characters involved, as their problems and struggles are purely human and universal, regardless of whether they are Israeli or Palestinian, Christian, Moslem or Jewish - claiming that, essentially, we all have to deal with the same human elements.

The story takes place mostly in Jerusalem, and was inspired by individuals the author met through his professional work while visiting psychiatric wards, who represent the diverse population one can find only in multi-cultural Israel.

These human elements in Bedrossian's writing may remind the reader of the celebrated Armenian-American author William Saroyan, who entertained millions with his narration of the ultimate underdog that is determined to succeed.

Harout Bedrossian was born in 1972 in Jerusalem, traveled to Florida in 1989 and graduated from West Palm Beach High School. He then returned to Jerusalem, started working as a teacher's aid, and received his B.A. in psychology and criminology from the University of South Africa. Being born and raised in Jerusalem to an Armenian family, he was exposed to Armenian, Arab and Jewish cultures, and is fluent in Armenian, English, Hebrew, and Arabic.

136 pages, 14.5X21 cm