As National Memoir Writing Month celebrates personal storytelling, 88-year-old Armenian-American author Shahen Guiragossian has released his debut memoir, The Hawk, demonstrating that it is never too late to share one's story. The book, published this November, explores themes of survival, heritage, and hope, drawing on Guiragossian's life as the child of Armenian Genocide survivors.
Guiragossian grew up surrounded by silence and unspoken grief, and The Hawk traces his journey from inherited trauma to a life built on loyalty, love, and perseverance. The memoir serves as both an immigrant's story and a universal reflection on family, identity, and the human capacity to heal. 'Resilience runs in our blood,' Guiragossian said in a statement. 'My parents had it, I had it, and I hope others see that they have it too.'
Part refugee memoir and part testament to brotherhood and chosen family, The Hawk captures a lifetime of endurance, from rebuilding after loss to finding meaning in later life. Written in his eighth decade, the book is a reminder that stories of survival do not fade with age but deepen. Guiragossian donates proceeds from the book to the Armenian Relief Society and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, honoring his family's heritage and the memory of his nephew lost in the September 11 tragedy.
The Hawk is available now on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats. Guiragossian, an Armenian-American author and storyteller based in Coconut Creek, Florida, channels his reflections on struggle, success, and survival into the memoir, which aims to inspire and endure. More information is available at thehawkmemoir.com.
