The Orphan’s Island is the first book in the Amherst Island series by Kate Hewitt. In 1904, Ellen Copley arrived in America from Glasgow with her father after the death of her mother. They crossed the ocean with dreams and hopes of new beginnings. After joining her Uncle Hamish and Aunt Ruth in Vermont, her father leaves to find work leaving Ellen feeling alone and uncertain of her future. It wouldn’t be until her Aunt Rose needs her assistance with her family on Amherst Island where Ellen finally finds love and acceptance with her cousins as well as Jed and Lucas Lyman, the boys next door. Lucas becomes a friend and confidante but it is Jed who steals her heart. But will Jed love her back? While Amherst Island feels like home, will Ellen find her heart and future there as well?
Kate Hewitt is a new author to me and I was intrigued by Ellen’s story as a young girl new to America and finding her place in her new country. The Orphan’s Island is a fast paced read and I was glued to the page and Ellen’s story. There was drama between Ellen and her Aunt Ruth, squabbles with her new friends and the highs and lows of first loves. In her young years, Ellen finds the strength and courage to find a path that she would be able to support herself with the uncertainty of what her true dreams could be. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series and Ellen’s story. If you enjoy historical novels of hope and finding a place in a new world, I recommend The Orphan’s Island.
The Orphan’s Island is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books that Saved Me by Glory Edim is an inspiring memoir reflecting on family, community and the power of books and the impact they can have in our lives. Edim grew up in Virginia to Nigerian immigrant parents and for the longest time her only friends, her only solace as in the books. From the books she read in school to the classics she discovered at her local libraries and while in college, she learned about the world around her, about history and about herself. Edim details how the profound writers from Toni Morrison to Maya Angelou, and many more, had impacted the times in her life when times were bleak and gave her hope for the future. Through her love of reading, she was able to form the Well Read Black Girl Book Club and reach millions of other readers.
Books have been a huge part of my life since I was a teen. Like Ms Edim, I found solace and encouragement in the perseverance and resilience of the characters who faced challenges with courage and determination. Glory Edim presents a memoir that books can help us see ourselves as well as others. Her life story is just as much of an inspiration as the books she read as a child. She endured her parents divorce, her father leaving the family behind in America and her mother’s illness to find a platform through books and bring awareness on a wider scale. The hardships she had to endure were heartbreaking and yet her determination to rise above them is heartwarming. Gather Me was an easy read as Ms Edim writes with as much beauty as the authors she admires. Overall, I enjoyed her story and I highly recommend Gather Me.
Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books that Saved Me
Will be available October 29, 2024 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook
Lives Apart by Anne McLoughlin is the first book in the Lives series. It’s a story of emigration from Ireland to America after the potato famine. At 17 years old, Johanna McNamara left her quiet life on her family’s farm and emigrated to America to join her brother, Hugh. Full of hope and dreams of success, Johanna has great expectations. When tragedy strikes, she finds herself caring for others and putting her hopes and dreams aside. Back in Ireland, her brother Art is struggling with the family farm and his troubled son, Declan. He makes the decision to send Declan to America; however, his arrival brings an act of betrayal that threatens to tear the family apart. Will America be the promised land for Johanna? Will Declan find himself in this new world?
Set in Ireland, Boston, San Francisco and Nova Scotia, Lives Apart explores the experience of the immigrant as they arrive in a new country and the family they leave behind. I was really interested in this story as a descendant of Irish immigrants, the experiences and stories of immigrants have always fascinated me. However, Lives Apart is very mundane with little action and a bit confusing as the story switches time, place and between siblings. Rather than focusing on Johanna’s story, Declan’s story seems forced and probably could have been its own book as the story tries to do too much in one book and the ending was less than satisfying. Overall, the story was okay but not enjoyable enough to continue this series.. I do not recommend Lives Apart.
The Taste of Ginger by Mansi Shah is a story of one woman’s journey to find where she is truly home. Preeti Desai, a first-generation immigrant, hasn’t lived the life her parents mapped out for her. She seemingly bucked every tradition her parents hold dear. She was barely on speaking terms with her parents when she moved in with her white Christian American boyfriend. Even after the relationship ends, the only thing she has going for her is her prestigious career at a Los Angeles law firm. When a family tragedy brings her back to the city of her birth, she learns more about the complicated past that her parents left behind and their reasons for moving to America. As she realizes the family’s battles with class, tradition and sacrifice, will she discover what home truly means?
It’s not good when my first thought after finishing a book is “I really wanted to like this story.” It came so highly recommended that I was looking forward to it. However, Preeti is such an unlikable character with no redeeming qualities or even growth. She whines about everything! She is selfish, immature and self-absorbed. There are pages and pages where Preeti is essentially arguing with herself. The internal monologues were way too often. It was hard to believe she was supposed to be a professional woman of 30 and not a teenager. The story overexplains just about everything that it felt like a condescending lecture, especially about the cultural differences between America and India. The author wasn’t nice about either culture. It’s hard to say but I do not recommend The Taste of Ginger.
The Taste of Ginger is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
A Welcome Misfortune is the first book in The Sworn Sisters duology by Kay Bratt. An infant girl was born into the House of Lai, a middle-class Chinese family. She is torn from her mother and casted aside by her father. Declared a misfortune, she is to be left by the famous Chaozhou wall where many unwanted girls are abandoned to be picked up by someone else or, worse, to die. But when 18-year old Min Kao is urged by his desperate mother to see the baby girl to safety, he can’t help but be drawn to his little sister he names Luli. At the same time on the island of Hong Kong, in the affluent house of a scholar, Sun Ling and Jingwei, are indentured servants and sworn sisters, bound by their shared struggles. They find their window to escape from the hardship and abuse and board a ship board for San Francisco, California. When the paths of these three forgotten girls meet on the ship, together they will weather a treacherous journey with the hopes that they will find a better future in America.
A Welcome Misfortune weaves an incredible story of survival and courage. Ms. Bratt is a master storyteller who brings hard hitting truth and heart to her stories. I thoroughly enjoyed her Scavenger's Daughters series and eagerly looked forward to the Sworn Sisters duology. The story opens with a bang and does not let go as Luli, Min Kao, Sun Ling and Jingwei begin their journeys to a better life. Even as they make their way to freedom, they must make life and death decisions with not so savory options. The discrimination and mistreatment they face simply because they are women and in America, because they are Chinese is horrifying. Despite this treatment, they hold to their dream of a better life than the one they left behind. They strive to show their worth and value in a world that would overlook them. There was one revelation that I had an inkling that would happen. It doesn’t mean that I didn’t cry tears of joy when it happened. If you enjoy an historical immigrant story of strength, courage and endurance, I highly recommend A Welcome Misfortune.
A Welcome Misfortune is available in paperback and eBook
The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts is the triumphant true story of a woman who rode her horse across America in the 1950s, fueled by her dying wish to see the Pacific Ocean. In 1954, 63-year-old Maine farmer Annie Wilkins lost her farm and her doctor had given 2-4 years to live. She has always longed to see the Pacific Ocean before she died. Ignoring her doctor’s advice, she buys a cast-off brown gelding named Tarzan, gathers her dog, Depeche Toi, and heads south in mid-November 1954. Annie didn’t know what to expect as she traveled, she didn’t even have a map but she had an unfailing belief that Americans would treat a stranger with kindness. As she traveled America in an age that saw the construction of modern highways, she pushed through blizzards, forded rivers and climbed mountains. She would travel more than 4,000 miles, through the biggest cities and the smallest towns. She met ordinary people and celebrities who followed her story with interest and inspiring neighborly kindness.
I never heard of Annie Wilkins and her journey to California, so when I was offered a chance to read The Ride of Her Life, I was intrigued. The author, Ms Letts, weaves Annie’s story with the changing of 1950s America. The Ride of Her Life is an amazing and inspirational story. In a country with the growing influence of television, she didn’t own one. In the growing age of the automobile, she desired to complete her journey by horse. I don’t know if I would have had the strength and courage to travel across the nation as Annie did, even with the comfort and speed of a car, the journey is dangerous. Every step of the way, the readers are riding along Annie as she braves the new roads with cars speeding past and she trods along on horseback. There were moments of triumph and moments of tears. I eagerly turned each page, waiting and hoping that Annie survives her trip and makes it to the Pacific Ocean. I recommend The Ride of Her Life.
The Ride of Her Life is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook.
The Republic is the first book in The Republic series
by Jon Jacobs. It is the story of the Sarantakos family. In a time when all of
America’s social ills have been “cured” and all are free. Unfortunately, it is
all a façade. Paul and Rose Sarantakos are wealthy entrepreneurs when they are
captured, drugged, and forced to sign over their fortune to the Social Order
Administration as the government is in desperate need for revenue. Their son,
Rand, is a scientific genius with degrees in physics, math, and electronics
engineering. He soon becomes an enemy of the state as his discoveries terrify
the SOA and threaten to expose the truth. The government soon sets out to
eliminate Rand and his research and the family finds themselves on the run for
their lives.
The Republic is a dystopian cautionary tale as what
happens when the government takes too much control. The story was a bit hard to
read as it had so many chapters as well as the subject matter hits close to
home as our country seems to be heading in this country and many fighting to
keep it from happening. Despite the dystopian theme and the risk to their lives,
the main characters still acted and spoke as if life should go on as normal.
For example, as their lives are being torn apart, Paul urges his son to attend
school as planned. A government university? The same government just coerced
you to hand over all of your wealth?! It didn’t fit with the rest of the story.
However, if you enjoy dystopian political thrillers, I highly recommend The
Republic.
Good White Racist?: Confronting Your Role in Racial
Injustice by Kerry Connelly is a book “by a white person for white people.”
A good white racist is defined as “a well-intentioned person of European
descent who is nonetheless complicit in a culture of systemic racism.” It is a
white person who would acknowledges that racism is evil but stays silent
against racism rather than confront injustices and racism. According to Ms.
Connelly, most white Americans are obsessed with two things: defending their
own inherent goodness and maintaining their comfort levels. So, to be a racist,
one must be openly hateful and discriminatory; however, Ms. Connelly sets out
to show that being racist is more than saying racial slurs to be an accomplice in
America’s inequality. In Good White Racist?, Ms. Connelly exposes how
she feels white people participate in, benefit from, and unknowingly continue
racism, regardless of their best intentions. Using examples from history,
sociology, psychology, education and economics as well as personal experiences,
Ms. Connelly shows how racism still thrives in the American society. She
attacks and counters the common defense statements that many white American would
make. Each chapter ends with an Active Learning section to Learn, Think and Act
for further discussion and contemplation. Certified as a life coach, Ms.
Connelly, is the author of the “no nonsense Jersey girl, JESUS blog and
host of podcast White on White” and currently pursuing a Master’s in
Divinity at the Christian Theological Seminary. Are you a Good White Racist? If
so, how can you help stop the system of inequality in America?
Good White Racist? is a hard book to read. Ms.
Connelly doesn’t pull any punches and hits right where most white Americans
feel comfortable and safe. Designed to make the white readers uncomfortable, I
was prepared for those feelings. And sometimes she hit the nail on its head,
and I had to nod and agree, yes, that happens and yes, I do know people who act
the ways she describes. However, I don’t agree with all her statements;
however, I know she would probably write off my comments because I am white and
another example of a white person pushing aside the issue. There are parts I
feel she has written to minorities to show that she, as a white Christian,
truly understands which misses the mark if it is a book for white people, why
would a person of color even read it? I also didn’t like the fact that she
curses in the book. At one point, she assumes the white person reading the book
would be more upset at the curse word than the statement itself. I do not feel
that authors need to curse in order to make a statement impactful. There are
better ways to emphasize the horror of a statement without throwing the F-bomb.
Plus, I hate slang. I don’t care who uses it and the author likes to show how
hip she is by using slang and, to me, it cheapens her mission. I do like that
she challenges the “I don’t see race. I am color-blind” statement of many
whites to show how non-racist they are. I applaud Ms. Connelly’s attempts to
shine a bright light on the issue; however, I feel she has ignored the growing
number of interracial families. Overall, Good White Racist? is a good
book and I recommend it.
In the Land of Dreams by
Lawrence Swaim opens with a man being checked into a transitional house of Bellevue
Hospital after revealing suicidal thoughts in the emergency room the night
before. He believes he is being stalked by his ancestor who lived in the area
in the 1680s when New York was New Amsterdam. The story then shifts to the
point of view of the ancestor, Barnt, who is running his business, raising his
family and living his life. When his action leads to a curse because he has
knowledge of a vast treasure that he never told anyone about and now he must
tell his descendant to lift the curse on the family. Is Barnt a figment of the
man’s imagination, a ghost or are they one and the same?
In the Land of Dreams
was very hard to read. The open chapter failed to capture my interest but I
read on hoping it would…and it didn’t. The end of the book tells the reader
that the story was a morality tale about how America, once the Land of Dreams,
has become the Land of Desire for unlimited money and power. That would be okay
if the narrator then doesn’t insult the reader buy saying “Was not the idea of
a treasure quest a big part of what kept you reading?...Grow up, why don’t you?”
The book is way too long and overly detailed and jumps back and forth which
made it hard to stay focused. I do not recommend In the Land of Dreams.
Achtung Baby by
Sara Zaske is a memoir of sorts as she recounts her parenting experience while
living abroad in Germany. She describes the cultural shock and barriers as she
begins her life in Germany and a young mother of a toddler. Ms. Zaske discusses
the American view and attitudes of the German people and discovers it’s all
wrong. She also discusses the strengths in the German parenting styles and
their educational system and compares the weaknesses of the American parenting
styles and its educational system. She covers the topics of the attachment
theory which American parenting advice books seem to give great importance to
early education in play rather than instruction. The German educational system
is designed to let the children have an active role in what they learn and how
they learn. The children learn from the very beginning with hands on
experience. Is there anything Americans can learn from German parents?
Achtung Baby is an
interesting read as I discovered the German educational system and how the
parenting styles emphasizes teaching self-reliance and independence in their
children almost from the very beginning. Ms. Zaske asks that American take a
hard look as to why “we” don’t. While I disagreed with some of her assertions
about American parenting, you cannot argue with the fact that something needs
to change in American parenting. Ms. Zaske had excellent points. She points out
that Americans have the attitude of “work is life.” This attitude is that you
are defined by what you do for a living and it’s so true. I also found myself
realizing that I do do some of the things that German parents do for their
children in order to instill confidence and independence in their children. I
found Achtung Baby fascinating and I
recommend it for all parents as well as those who are becoming parents.
This month’s study is on Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a prophet of
Israel who spoke about the coming judgment against the people of Israel and
their enemies. There is a promise to restore Israel to the land and restore the
covenant between the people and God. He prophesied during Israel’s exile in
Babylon. Normally I would discuss various points throughout the book. However,
this month I’m not going to do that. As I finished the book, one particular set
of verses stuck out. Even as I planned to write my thoughts as I normally would
do, this verse wouldn’t leave my head. So I decided to focus in these
particular verses and why it struck a cord with me.
Ezekiel 47:21-23
“’You are to
distribute this land among yourself according to the tribes of Israel.
You are to allot it
as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you
and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites;
along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of
Israel. In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his
inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord”
Foreigner. Alien. Essentially anyone who wasn’t an
Israelite. The Lord instructed the Israelites about foreigners before first in
Leviticus 24:22 “You are to have the same law for the alien and the
native-born. I am the Lord your God.” The Lord calls for foreigners to receive
the same treatment as the Israelites under the law. There would be no separate
law for the foreign born. It was the same law. So if a foreigner was wronged or
injured, he was to receive the same treatment as an Israelite would. Therefore,
“an eye for an eye” (Leviticus 24:20) apply to the foreigners as well. In
Numbers 15:29, the Lord instructed “One and the same law applies to everyone who
sins unintentionally, whether he is a native-born Israelite or an alien.” A
foreigner is allowed and required to offer the same atonement for their sins as
an Israelite. Again, no separate law.
God’s law covered Israelites and foreigners. Isaiah 56:3-8 teaches that God’s
blessings were for all people, including foreigners and eunuchs, who were
excluded from worship and treated as non-citizens to the Israelites. Isaiah
says that any foreigner who “bind themselves to the Lord to serve him” (verse
6), obeys God’s law, follows his Word, loves the Lord, God will gather them
together with “those already gathered” (verse 8).
In the New Testament, the distinction is Jew and Gentile.
There is the same call to gather together. Paul writes in Ephesian 3:6 “This mystery
is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members
together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.”
This mystery is God’s plan to include everyone in his gift of salvation. I
believe this is what Isaiah talks about in Isaiah 56:3-8. Paul also writes in
Colossians 3:11 “Here this is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian [large group of Iranian Eurasian nomads], slave or free,
but Christ is all and is in all.” There should be no barriers of nationality,
race, education, social economic status, wealth, gender, religion or power when
it comes to the followers of Christ. Christ came to break down barriers. First
the barriers between God and the people and among the people themselves. We
have forgotten this or we have ignored it. We, unfortunately, continue to build
barriers. We still separate ourselves according to race, denomination,
traditions, creeds and practices. We claim to all be followers of Christ and
yet criticize others for their adherence to certain creeds or worship
practices.
So what’s the point? Why did Ezekiel 47:21-23 stick in my
head? The current climate about foreigners in this country has been on my mind
a lot lately. The anti-foreigner sentiment right now makes it hard to ignore.
I’m often torn about how I feel. On one hand, I feel and understand the need
for foreigners to come to this country. The colonies and then the United
States, has always been a beacon of hope for freedom, safety, and breathing room.
Multiple branches of my family have come from different parts of Europe at
different times for possibly the same reason. The United States has been a land
of great opportunity when none existed in their homeland. I want others to have
the same opportunity to come if they wish. On the other hand, I understand that
many who come to this country would come with ulterior motives. Whether it is
to perpetrate crimes or cause great harm to those who are trying to live
peacefully. The suspicion of foreigners is nothing new. Any time in history and
in any country, foreigners were looked at with distrust. The Lord commands the
Israelites to not mistreat or oppress a foreigner twice when Moses gave the law
(Exodus 22:21 and Exodus 23:9). So what do we do? I feel those who are here and
have built a life peacefully should be allowed to stay here without fear of
being sent back. We need to fix the immigration system, I recognize that, in
order to allow those who want to create a peaceful life here and, hopefully,
keep those who would not.
In conclusion, there is no easy answer to the immigration
issue. I know this and I can offer no solution. I believe all I can do is pray
that the individuals who are coming to the United States do so because they
want a better life and they learn to live peacefully with everyone here. I can
pray for protection from those who may come here with evil intentions. We need
to remember that not all foreigners are evil. Just like the story of the Good
Samaritan, even when a group as a whole is under suspicion or distrusted, there
are always exceptions. And just as stated in Ezekiel 47:21-23, when a foreigner
comes here and creates a life, we should treat them as any other citizen.
Death of a Nation:
9/11 and the Rise of Fascism in America by George W. Grundy is a scathing
account of the events leading to 9/11, the events of the day and the aftermath.
Mr. Grundy argues that the events of 9/11 have been falsely portrayed. His
premise is that the attacks were carried out by entities within the U.S.
government and the military. Everything from the wars in the Middle East to the
rise of ISIS to the election of Donald Trump. He discusses the timeline of 9/11
and the inaction of individuals and inconsistency in the statements made in the
days following the tragedy. He asserts that the World Trade Center was a
controlled demolition. The main premise is how the US government reacted with
wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Patriot Act and Guantanamo Bay all have led
to fascism in America. He asserts that anyone who believes the official report
and that the government had no part in the 9/11 terrorist attack is blind.
I don’t know anyone who truly believes that the government
tells the American public the truth. There never really has been transparency in
government (even though some may have tried). It reminds of a line from the
movie, Tommy Boy (1995), Ray Zalinsky
(played by Dan Aykroyd) says “What the American public doesn't know is what
makes them the American public.” Some of the American didn’t want to know. The
grief and shock of watching the events unfold overwhelmed them that they didn’t
pay attention to what happened afterword. While I do not agree with all of Mr.
Grundy’s assertions and many of his assertions sound a lot like conspiracy
theories, however; he does bring up valid points and shows the lasting effects
of that horrible day. I recommend this book for those who are interested in
reading an in-depth analysis of a day many of us cannot forget.
A More Perfect Union
by Jodi Daynard is the story of one man’s journey in America. Its 1794, 15 year
old Johnny Watkins has come to Boston from Barbados in order to get an
education. He dreams of becoming a great statesman like his hero, John Adams,
who thinks the young man can do it. There is one catch. He must pass for white.
Johnny is of mixed race. Very few know that Johnny’s father was born a slave.
It’s a secret that is heavily guarded. He lives day-to-day risking being found
out at any moment. Soon a secret is discovered about a certain presidential
candidate in the upcoming election. A secret which dangers Johnny’s future and
his very life. Johnny must decide who he can trust. Can he truly trust anyone?
I loved the historical detail in A More Perfect Union. I was confused for most of the book until I
realized it was part of a series. I read by other reviewers that it could be
read as a stand-alone book but I found that is not the case. As I read, I felt
I was reading allusions to information I should already know. I enjoyed the
premise and the mystery of this book as Johnny tries to navigate the new
American political system. I also think I would have enjoyed so much more if I
had read the first two books. I’m going to check out the first two books and
reread A More Perfect Union. In the
meantime, I recommend this book as a great look into the early years of our
country and the development of our political system.
Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. Patrick, the patron saint of
Ireland along with Saint Brigit and Saint Columba. According to the Confession
of Patrick, he was captured by Irish pirates at the age of 16 from his home in
Great Britain. He became a slave in Ireland until he was able to escape and
return home 6 years later. After becoming a cleric, he would return to Ireland.
However, little is known about where he actually worked in Ireland, By the 7th
century, Patrick would be revered as the patron saint and March 17th
would be honored in his name.
The shamrock is one of the symbols associated with Patrick. It
is the national plant of Ireland due to its association with Saint Patrick as
well as it grows in abundance on the island, According to legend, Patrick
taught the doctrine of the Holy Trinity with a shamrock. There is little
evidence to indicate if the Irish Celts held the shamrock in high regard;
however, many of the deities in their mythology were in threes. For instance, Brigit
(or Brigid or Brig) is a goddess depicted as a triple deity. She is associated
with the spring, fertility, healing, poetry and smithcraft. The idea of God the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could have been an easy concept that the
Irish Celts would understand.
Another legend linked to Saint Patrick is the banishment of
all snakes from Ireland. According to legend, Patrick chased the snakes to the
sea after they attacked him during a 40 day fast. The absence of snakes in
Ireland have given rise to this legend; however, all evidence suggests that
Ireland never had snakes. The simple answer is geography. Snakes can be found
virtually everywhere on Earth except Ireland, New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland
and Antarctica. All these areas are surrounded by water. The theory is that no
serpent has successfully migrated across the open ocean to these areas. Even
when land bridges were created with the falling ocean levels, snakes would not
have survived the Ice Age of Ireland. Why the legend? Snakes present evil in
Judeo-Christian traditions as well as paganism. The image of Patrick banishing
snakes from Ireland in a sense he banished evil and paganism from the Emerald
Isle.
Saint Patrick has become synonymous with Ireland and the
Irish heritage identity. That associations was brought to America with the
Irish immigrants of the 19th century. Despite its religious origins,
Saint Patrick’s Day is primarily celebrated as recognition of Irish and Irish
Americans. For one day, everyone is Irish. The color green is seen everywhere. Chicago,
Illinois dyes the Chicago River green every year. Pubs serve green ales and
beers. McDonald’s often will promote their shamrock shakes during March in
honor of the holiday. People wear green in order to avoid being pinched. I
remember those days in school. Corned beef and cabbage is a popular dish to
make in honor of Saint Patrick, although the dish is considered an American
addition to the holiday.
The namesake by
Jhumpa Lahiri is the story of one family’s life in America and one man’s
journey to coming to understand his name. It is a story about family, tradition
and change. The book was named into a film in 2006 starring Kal Penn and Irrhan Khan.
Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli are immigrants from Calcutta in
1968. Ashoke is attending an American university pursuing his doctorate in
physics. The story opens as a very pregnant Ashima tries to recreate the
comforts of home in her new country. When she goes into labor, the experience
is shocking for her as American hospitals are very different than she expected.
After their baby boy is born, they are forced to give him a name for the birth
certificate. They are accustomed to giving a child an official name years
later. They name him Gogol, after a Russian author that Ashoke feels a close
kinship with. With the addition of a daughter, Sonia, in 1974, the family
settles in their new American life. Ashoke and Ashima are slow to assimilate
with in regards to foods and clothes while their children are very much
American teenagers in clothes, friends and eventually lovers. Problems begin
when Gogol is 18 and he wants to legally change his name. His father refuses to
tell Gogol the reason behind his name for many, many years. With his new name,
Gogol begins to lead a life very different from his parents’ dreams. As Gogol
seeks to become independent, his rebellion grows. It isn’t until tragedy
strikes the family that Gogol realizes that he is caught between two worlds. Two
worlds he didn’t know that he wanted to belong to. Remembering the story behind
his name, Gogol finally begins to father’s footsteps into the past.
The namesake is
more than just a story about an immigrant couple who has children who become
Americanized. As I read, I see many aspects of all times of families as the
younger generation questions or rejects the traditions and the parents desperate
to hold on. I also see how some of the older generation hold on to traditions
simply because it’s how it has always been done. Sometimes without trying, the
generations comes full circle. I highly recommend The namesake as look inside the life of a family during times of
changing values and traditions.
