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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
This historical fiction book about early 20th century New York City and the immigrants who were flooding through Ellis Island was soooo good. Told in alternating perspectives between two young women, Alma the daughter of German immigrants who is sent to work on Ellis Island as an interpreter and Francesca, a newly arrived Italian immigrant trying to make a new life for herself in America.
I absolutely loved this book. The author does a great job bringing the time period to life and writing such strong women characters who are trying to resist the limitations of their time and still go after what they want in spite of multiple obstacles. Alma and Francesca are from two entirely different worlds but they form a wonderful friendship that was beautiful to see develop.
Alma's work on Ellis Island was eye-opening for her, seeing the vast numbers of starving immigrants flooding the shores every day and the number who get turned away, often separating families when all they wanted was what everyone wants: the chance at the 'American dream'. The book also goes into some of the abuse these people suffered at the hands of Ellis Island staff and the beginning of the reforms that were starting to be made by the early 1900s.
Great on audio narrated by Kathryn Markey, a new to me narrator who really brought this story to life! I'd read some of the books the author had written with Hazel Gaynor but this was the first of her solo works for me and she will definitely be an auto-buy author from now on. Highly, highly recommended, especially if you love learning about different aspects of history through strong fictional women! A perfect read for Women's History Month.
I absolutely loved this book. The author does a great job bringing the time period to life and writing such strong women characters who are trying to resist the limitations of their time and still go after what they want in spite of multiple obstacles. Alma and Francesca are from two entirely different worlds but they form a wonderful friendship that was beautiful to see develop.
Alma's work on Ellis Island was eye-opening for her, seeing the vast numbers of starving immigrants flooding the shores every day and the number who get turned away, often separating families when all they wanted was what everyone wants: the chance at the 'American dream'. The book also goes into some of the abuse these people suffered at the hands of Ellis Island staff and the beginning of the reforms that were starting to be made by the early 1900s.
Great on audio narrated by Kathryn Markey, a new to me narrator who really brought this story to life! I'd read some of the books the author had written with Hazel Gaynor but this was the first of her solo works for me and she will definitely be an auto-buy author from now on. Highly, highly recommended, especially if you love learning about different aspects of history through strong fictional women! A perfect read for Women's History Month.
A surprise for sure. I've never read a book about Ellis Island before. With all the historical fiction I read I'm surprised about this. Heather Webb is an incredible storyteller and the story she weaves together packs a punch. There are tears, smiles and laughter but most of all you'll fall in love with Francesca and Alma. Both are in situations out of their control.
Ellis Island has a fascinating history, so I was immediately interested in reading THE NEXT SHIP HOME, a historical novel set at the iconic site. Although I've always thought of Ellis Island in positive terms—as a place that offered freedom, hope, and new beginnings to poor, weary immigrants—this novel focuses on its dark side, which included racism, prejudice, bribery, sexual misconduct, exploitation, cruelty, and more. As you can imagine, this makes for a story that is often sad and heartbreaking. It's also a hopeful tale, though, one that celebrates friendship, found family, independence, and understanding. While the novel deals with some harsh themes, overall it's a clean read, which I always appreciate. I enjoyed these aspects of the novel as well as learning more about Ellis Island and how it operated.
As far as setting goes, I definitely wanted more. I've been to Ellis Island, but I still wanted Webb's depiction to bring the place to life for me, to make me feel the emotions that were felt there and this didn't quite happen for me while reading THE NEXT SHIP HOME. The characters left something to be desired as well. While both Alma and Francesca are sympathetic heroines, neither is overly unique or memorable. I felt for them both, but I didn't feel super connected to either of them. Plot-wise, the novel has odd, uneven pacing. The first part is compelling, the middle drags, and the ending is abrupt and anti-climactic. It feels like Webb just ends the story without building up to an exciting climax, which makes the story feel dissatisfying. Given all this, I ended up feeling more meh about THE NEXT SHIP HOME than I wanted to. Overall, I'd say it was just an average read for me. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love it either.
As far as setting goes, I definitely wanted more. I've been to Ellis Island, but I still wanted Webb's depiction to bring the place to life for me, to make me feel the emotions that were felt there and this didn't quite happen for me while reading THE NEXT SHIP HOME. The characters left something to be desired as well. While both Alma and Francesca are sympathetic heroines, neither is overly unique or memorable. I felt for them both, but I didn't feel super connected to either of them. Plot-wise, the novel has odd, uneven pacing. The first part is compelling, the middle drags, and the ending is abrupt and anti-climactic. It feels like Webb just ends the story without building up to an exciting climax, which makes the story feel dissatisfying. Given all this, I ended up feeling more meh about THE NEXT SHIP HOME than I wanted to. Overall, I'd say it was just an average read for me. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love it either.
In 1902, Francesca Ricci and her sister, Maria are leaving their only home they've ever known and their abusive father in Sicily aboard a ship to the USA. With no one to meet them and no jobs lined up, the Ricci sisters are hoping for a miracle upon their arrival. Alma Bauer works at her family bierhaus, but her stepfather wants her to bring in more income. He finds Alma a job at Ellis Island with the matrons. At first, Alma does not want to help the immigrants, but she finds purpose in translating and helping people. Alma is taken by the Ricci sister's cause, especially after Francesca helps her. Alma decides to help Francesca stay in the USA and not have to go home on the next ship home. As Alma and Francesca's lives intertwine, they help each other more than they could imagine.
The Next Ship Home is a sweeping historical fiction novel of Ellis Island. Webb's beautiful writing sets the scene of chaos, confusion, hope, sadness and enchantment that makes up Ellis Island. Francesca and Alma came alive as their stories unfolded. They saw themselves as very different but found strength in their friendship and were both able to learn and grow as people and women in America. I was amazed at their ability to overcome a series of situations that seemed impossible and loved the way that their stories were linked together. Through Francesca and Alma, the many types of oppression of women were explored: from exploitation, abuse, rape, non-consensual marriages, and reliance upon men for basic needs. I have always adored Webb's writing and the way that real historical information is weaved in throughout. Through the story, I learned of the drama of the commissioners of Ellis Island and the rampant mistreatment of immigrants that came through. With that, I also learned of the movements that immigrants and the people of New York were able to create from their struggles including the labor movement, the subway system, and women's rights.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Next Ship Home is a sweeping historical fiction novel of Ellis Island. Webb's beautiful writing sets the scene of chaos, confusion, hope, sadness and enchantment that makes up Ellis Island. Francesca and Alma came alive as their stories unfolded. They saw themselves as very different but found strength in their friendship and were both able to learn and grow as people and women in America. I was amazed at their ability to overcome a series of situations that seemed impossible and loved the way that their stories were linked together. Through Francesca and Alma, the many types of oppression of women were explored: from exploitation, abuse, rape, non-consensual marriages, and reliance upon men for basic needs. I have always adored Webb's writing and the way that real historical information is weaved in throughout. Through the story, I learned of the drama of the commissioners of Ellis Island and the rampant mistreatment of immigrants that came through. With that, I also learned of the movements that immigrants and the people of New York were able to create from their struggles including the labor movement, the subway system, and women's rights.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
3.5 rounded down to 3. I enjoyed this historical fiction that took place in NYC - I liked the characters, the setting, the descriptions of Ellis Island. This book was well on its way to 4 stars, but the ending seemed so sudden. It seemed like the whole book was written so descriptively but then suddenly the author just had to finish.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5 stars, rounded up. Occasional mild language, TW rape/assault. Slow plot/read. Excellent depiction on historical time period.
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love when I'm reading something about a period in history I don't know too much about! I enjoyed this novel in all of its heartrending glory.
Such immersive historical fiction! Loved the dual points of view here to show us two sides of the immigrant experience in that era on Ellis Island.