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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Xenophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs
I think many times in history classes and in fiction we romanticize Ellis Island as a refuge for immigrants – that if they could just make it there they could breathe a sigh of relief and enter the grand haven of America. The reality, though, is if they survived the harrowing journey in steerage Ellis Island was still a huge hurdle to overcome – and in some ways even more heartbreaking than the ship voyage to get there. Even if there hadn’t been corruption at every level, they could still be sent back on the next ship home if they were ill or if they didn’t have a job or someone already living in America to take responsibility for them or if their political stances were on the ‘do not allow’ list. Imagine being crammed into the bottom level of a ship with hardly room to breathe, amidst sickness and filth, with scant food or water, for weeks on end … arriving at your version of ‘the Promised Land’ … and then being sent back home or, even worse, separated from your family and sent back home.
Francesca and Alma are two young women who cross paths at Ellis Island, a ‘chance’ meeting that changes both their lives. One is an Italian immigrant escaping an abusive father; one is an American of German descent who is newly employed as a matron at Ellis Island. Webb’s vivid scene-setting and complex layers bring Francesca & Alma and their experiences to life on the page, touching readers’ hearts deeply in the process. The corruption and prejudice they encounter will turn your stomach, but the growth that the author fashions for these vibrant young women – their resiliency, friendship, and courage – is worth it in the end. I so enjoyed getting to know these characters. They engaged my every emotion and left me different than I was when I first began reading this compelling story.
Bottom Line: The Next Ship Home by Heather Webb is an engrossing, heartwrenching, and inspiring look ‘behind the scenes’ of Ellis Island and the immigrant experience of the early 1900s. The author’s attention to research, to history, and her touching depictions of humanity linger in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page. This isn’t an easy story to read, per se, but it’s an incredibly rewarding one.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there is some scattered language throughout this book, as well as certain situations that may be triggering to some readers.
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Francesca and Alma are two young women who cross paths at Ellis Island, a ‘chance’ meeting that changes both their lives. One is an Italian immigrant escaping an abusive father; one is an American of German descent who is newly employed as a matron at Ellis Island. Webb’s vivid scene-setting and complex layers bring Francesca & Alma and their experiences to life on the page, touching readers’ hearts deeply in the process. The corruption and prejudice they encounter will turn your stomach, but the growth that the author fashions for these vibrant young women – their resiliency, friendship, and courage – is worth it in the end. I so enjoyed getting to know these characters. They engaged my every emotion and left me different than I was when I first began reading this compelling story.
Bottom Line: The Next Ship Home by Heather Webb is an engrossing, heartwrenching, and inspiring look ‘behind the scenes’ of Ellis Island and the immigrant experience of the early 1900s. The author’s attention to research, to history, and her touching depictions of humanity linger in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page. This isn’t an easy story to read, per se, but it’s an incredibly rewarding one.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there is some scattered language throughout this book, as well as certain situations that may be triggering to some readers.
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book started off so slowly that I really wanted to put it away. I only continued because I needed it to fill in a spot on my reading challenge for a book with a main character in their 20s. It did pick up and get interesting around halfway thru - so it was worth the effort. And now I'm glad I stuck with it since I learned about some issues that I didn't realize existed, although I'm sure the ones brought to light in the book were just the tip of the iceberg.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
It’s 1902 and Francesca and Maria have left Italy looking for a better life, they have arrived in America at Ellis Island. She has just endured a difficult ride in third class. When they spot the Statue Of Liberty people cheer and cry. Francesca with sister Maria are extremely worried, they both need to pass the medical check at Ellis Island to be given an entry visa into America. They are both tired, hungry, and now have to stand in a line for hours in the cold hoping they are granted access.
Alama Klein has just started working working on Ellis Island it’s her first day. Almas brother Fritz makes sure she arrives safely on her first day. Alma is told she will be expected to work either in the baggage room, help the doctors with the medical inspections in the registry office and detainees quarters. Alma has a dream to become an interpreter, she can speak German, Italian and a little Russian. Alma and Francesca paths cross in the processing department, Alma immediately feels sorry for Francesca whose from Italy and soon finds herself becoming personally involved in her case.
Soon it becomes obvious that there is corruption happening, bribes and abuse behind the scenes on Ellis Island. When President Roosevelt becomes concerned by illegal acts happening at Ellis Island, he soon appoints a commissioner to investigate, but the staff are hesitant to report anything to him Francesca and Alma will have to rely on each other to escape the corruption and find their voice and grab the American dream they both were promised.
Alama Klein has just started working working on Ellis Island it’s her first day. Almas brother Fritz makes sure she arrives safely on her first day. Alma is told she will be expected to work either in the baggage room, help the doctors with the medical inspections in the registry office and detainees quarters. Alma has a dream to become an interpreter, she can speak German, Italian and a little Russian. Alma and Francesca paths cross in the processing department, Alma immediately feels sorry for Francesca whose from Italy and soon finds herself becoming personally involved in her case.
Soon it becomes obvious that there is corruption happening, bribes and abuse behind the scenes on Ellis Island. When President Roosevelt becomes concerned by illegal acts happening at Ellis Island, he soon appoints a commissioner to investigate, but the staff are hesitant to report anything to him Francesca and Alma will have to rely on each other to escape the corruption and find their voice and grab the American dream they both were promised.
This book warmed my heart...broke it a bit too. Webb's world-building is absolutely fantastic. As I was reading, she had posted photos of Ellis Island and other areas she had written about on social media. What I pictured while reading and what she posted photos of were one and the same. To me, that is an amazing author. To be able to build a picture in your mind and have it that precise, I mean, wow. And then there's the story! These girls had my heart from page one. As a Sicilian descendant, it made me wonder what my family went through just a couple of generations ago. Or even that my parents were allowed to marry just over 30 years ago, as my mother is Sicilian/Italian and my father is Hungarian/Polish. What a scandal that would've been just a couple of decades earlier.
The story of Ellis Island and Alma and Francesca struck a chord with me and I think anyone who has had family members emigrate will feel the same. The American Dream is something many sought after (and still do), but it's not that simple. Hardships were experienced by many, prejudices too. Sometimes it feels like things haven't really changed...
This book was stunning and I highly recommend it. I received an advanced copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
The story of Ellis Island and Alma and Francesca struck a chord with me and I think anyone who has had family members emigrate will feel the same. The American Dream is something many sought after (and still do), but it's not that simple. Hardships were experienced by many, prejudices too. Sometimes it feels like things haven't really changed...
This book was stunning and I highly recommend it. I received an advanced copy of this book and all opinions are my own.