Books matching: jewish immigrants in america

9 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 9 of 9 
  1. #1
    Evergreen
    Book 1 in the series:Werner Family Saga

    Evergreen - Werner Family Saga by Belva Plain
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    Evergreen by Belva Plain is a family saga following Anna Friedman from her childhood in a 19th century Polish village through her immigration to America. The story encompasses Anna's life journey through World Wars I and II, marriage, family, the depression, her husband's successful business, and various tragedies and joys. The book beautifully portrays the multi-generational tale of Anna's family, showcasing the changes through the generations and her constant battle for happiness and fulfillment. Belva Plain's writing style immerses the reader in the rich historical backdrop of New York and captures the struggles and triumphs of the characters in a graceful and insightful manner.

    In the beginning there was a warm room with a table, a black iron stove and old red-flowered wallpaper. The child lay on a cot feeling the good heat while the mother moved peacefully from the table to...

  2. #2

    Beyond the Pale by Elana Dykewomon
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    Beyond the Pale by Elana Dykewomon is a captivating novel that delves into the lives of Jewish immigrants, particularly women, in the early 20th century. The story follows the intertwined lives of Gutke, a midwife, Chava, a young immigrant woman, and other characters as they navigate the challenges of immigration, factory work, and activism in America. The narrative skillfully weaves together themes of hope, resilience, love, and the struggle for justice, offering a poignant glimpse into a neglected aspect of Jewish and Feminist Lesbian history.

    The book provides a rich tapestry of characters facing adversity with courage and determination, shedding light on the hardships and triumphs of Jewish immigrants during a tumultuous period in history. Through the perspectives of Gutke, Chava, and others, readers are drawn into a world of sacrifice, perseverance, and solidarity, where the characters' experiences resonate with themes of matriarchy, endurance, and the pursuit of equality amidst oppression.

    IN KISHINEV THE RIVER Byk is frozen. The oven is stuffed with coal, yet Miriam lies shivering on a small bed in one of the few stone houses on Gostinaya Street, cursing the walls: “Everything is rippe...

  3. #3

    The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
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    "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" by Michael Chabon is an epic novel that spans decades, following two cousins who create comic book characters during the 1940s in America and Europe amidst the backdrop of World War II. The book intricately weaves together themes of friendship, love, bigotry, racism, magic, and mysticism against the evolving landscape of America during that time period. Chabon's writing style is described as beautiful, precise, and poetic, with the ability to captivate readers with his storytelling and character development, making it a joyous tale that is hard to put down.

    The storyline of the book revolves around the lives of the two protagonists, Joe and Sammy, who work together to write comic books during the golden age of comic book publishing. Their journey through creating comic book heroes, facing personal struggles, and dealing with historical events such as World War II is depicted vividly, with each chapter reading like a story from a comic book itself. Chabon's ability to blend actual events from the 1930s to the 1950s seamlessly with the characters makes the novel feel authentic and engaging, drawing readers into a world filled with adventure, tragedy, and triumph.

    IN later years, holding forth to an interviewer or to an audience of aging fans at a comic book convention, Sam Clay liked to declare, apropos of his and Joe Kavalier's greatest creation, that back wh...

  4. #4

    Call It Sleep by Henry Roth
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    The novel "Call It Sleep" by Henry Roth is a poignant portrayal of the immigrant experience in early 20th-century New York City. The story follows David, a young Jewish boy raised by Polish immigrant parents, as he navigates the harsh realities of urban life in neighborhoods like Brownsville and the Lower East Side. Through David's eyes, the reader witnesses the struggles of assimilation, family dynamics, and the quest for identity in a diverse and challenging environment. The book delves deep into themes of childhood trauma, depression, and the complexities of growing up in a multicultural society, all while painting a vivid picture of the bustling cityscape and the intimate struggles within immigrant families.

    THE small white steamer, Peter Stuyvesant., that delivered the immigrants from the stench and throb of the steerage to the stench and the throb of New York tenements, rolled slightly on the water besi...

  5. #5

    The Hotel Neversink by Adam O'Fallon Price
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    The Hotel Neversink by Adam O'Fallon Price is a generational family novel centered around a hotel in the Catskills. The story unfolds through a series of short stories about different individuals connected to the hotel, spanning from 1950 to 2012. The narrative explores themes of family history, tragedy, and the rise and decline of the hotel, all interwoven with a mystery surrounding child abductions and murders near the Neversink. Price's writing style transitions smoothly between characters and their perspectives, offering a kaleidoscopic view of the hotel's history and the interconnected lives of its owners and guests.

    An article in the Liberty Leader, dated January 8, 1931, announced, in the breathless style of the times, “Local Tycoon Dies in Penniless Despair, Foley House to Be Pawned at Auction.” The local tycoo...

  6. #6

    Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
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    'Mrs. Everything' by Jennifer Weiner is a multigenerational novel that follows the lives of two sisters, Jo and Bethie, from their childhood in the 1950s to their old age in the present day. The book covers a wide range of topics such as women's rights, abortion, interracial marriage, gay marriage, and the evolving role of women in society. The story is filled with ups and downs, humor, sadness, and powerful messages about family, love, and acceptance.

    The narrative style of 'Mrs. Everything' is described as ambitious, richly textured, and a journey through history and herstory. The book delves into the challenges faced by women over the decades, exploring themes of sisterhood, societal changes, and personal growth. The characters of Jo and Bethie are portrayed as complex and relatable, navigating through life's trials, heartaches, joys, and love in a rapidly changing America.

    The four Kaufmans stood at the curb in front of the new house on Alhambra Street, as if they were afraid to set foot on the lawn, even though Jo knew they could. The lawn belonged to them now, along w...

  7. #7

    The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman
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    'The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street' by Susan Jane Gilman is a captivating novel that follows the life of Malka Treynovsky, a young Jewish Russian immigrant who overcomes poverty, abandonment, and a crippling accident to become a successful ice cream magnate. The story spans over 70 years, detailing Malka's journey from a struggling immigrant to the renowned Ice Cream Queen. Told in a first-person narrative, the book explores themes of resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of the American dream against the backdrop of major historical events.

    The narrative alternates between past and present, providing a detailed account of Malka's life struggles, triumphs, and the complexities of her character. The author skillfully weaves together elements of immigrant life, the ice cream business, and family dynamics to create a rich and engaging story that offers insights into the human experience and the pursuit of success.


  8. 'The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King' by Rich Cohen tells the story of Sam Zemurray, a successful immigrant who became known as the Banana King. Zemurray's journey from arriving in the United States to taking over the United Fruit Company is depicted as a tale of ambition, business strategy, and overcoming challenges. delves into the complexities of the banana business, Zemurray's entrepreneurial spirit, and his impact on Central America and American business history.

    Sam Zemurray saw his first banana in 1893. In the lore, this is presented as a moment of clarity, wherein the future was revealed. In some versions, the original banana is presented as a platonic idea...

  9. #9

    The Golem and the Jinni - The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
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    'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker is a tale set in 1899 New York, where a golem and a jinni, two mythical creatures, navigate their way through the challenges of assimilating into human society. The story intricately weaves together the lives of these two characters as they try to find acceptance and understanding in a world where they don't belong, all while exploring themes of fantasy, love, immigrant experiences, and the essence of being human. The writing style is atmospheric, reminiscent of a classic fairy tale, with a slow pace that gradually builds up to a captivating and fantastical climax.

    The Golem’s life began in the hold of a steamship. The year was 1899; the ship was the Baltika, crossing from Danzig to New York. The Golem’s master, a man named Otto Rotfeld, had smuggled her aboard ...

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