Seta Terzian, author of the novel, "Two Girls from Heliopolis," will participate in a book signing on Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Needham Historical Society. RSVP by Sept. 10 to lterzian@comcast.net.

“Two Girls from Heliopolis” takes readers straight to the heart of Egypt, under the shadows of the great Pyramids and the Sphinx, where they meet two girls named Eugenie and Alicia. The two girls grow up together in Heliopolis, a suburb of Cairo, where their parents had fled in the 1920s after the Soviet take-over of their native Republic of Armenia. 

In Heliopolis, the young girls, their families and their fellow expatriates dedicate their time, money and efforts to rebuilding their lives in Egypt. Growing up in Heliopolis is near perfect for Eugenie and Alicia, with the suburb’s pristine white apartment buildings and decorated villas. The girls grow and mature, despite the chaos of the North African Campaign during World War II. After the war, however, Eugenie and Alicia are forced out of their beloved Cairo and into the United States by an ever-changing and dangerous political climate.

Throughout their journeys, Eugenie and Alicia face personal struggles, disappointments, tragedies, first loves, real romance and conflicts. “Two Girls from Heliopolis” follows the coming-of-age story of Eugenie and Alicia, and Terzian provides readers with a prime example of an enduring friendship.

“While their lives don’t always turn out the way the expected, wanted or planned, they know they always can count on one another,” says Terzian. 

“Two Girls from Heliopolis” reminds readers, both young and old, that regardless of the successes or failures faced in life, love and friendship are truly what matters. Terzian’s work also gives readers a personal glimpse into what life was like in Egypt before, during and following World War II, as well as the challenges of being an immigrant in post-war America. The author believes her novel will appeal to women of all ages interested in historical memoirs, traveling and different cultures.

“Two Girls from Heliopolis is available for sale online at Amazon.com and createspace.com and other channels.