This introspective second novel from California writer Janigian (Bloodvine
) relates the tale of an agrarian Armenian-American family scrambling to survive in 1964 Fresno. Farmer Andy Demerjian, 33, is kicked off their land by his brother, Abe, after a loan scheme between them goes bad. Unable to support his wife and two young children, Andy hauls produce to L.A. until a fortuitous run-in with two entrepreneurs, one of whom Andy knows from school. They strike a deal with Andy to raise a crop of corn at a nearby farm, with their financial backing; meanwhile, Andy arranges a side venture on land rented from Mrs. Chamichian, an irascible, elderly Armenian widow with a disturbed daughter. When he isn't battling corn mites, hiring laborers or dickering with creditors, Andy has to ponder the secretive entrepreneurs' plans, which include an airstrip running along the cornfields. Vibrant Armenian culture is smartly stitched into the plot, including historical rancor toward domineering Turks. Janigian's prose provides rich detail (and then some) on agricultural life in an engrossing, satisfying tale of betrayal, feud and redemption. (Mar.)
