The Candidate is one of the most masterful, psychologically penetrating novels in Armenian diaspora literature. Published in 1967 at a time of political awakening among the descendants of survivors of the Armenian genocide, the novel explores themes of trauma, forgiveness, reconciliation, friendship, and sacrifice, and examines the relationship between victim and perpetrator.

The book opens in 1927 in Paris after Minas has found his friend Vahakn s body on the floor of the apartment they share. In a fragmentary way, Minas tells of his meeting Vahakn in the cafes of the Latin Quarter;...