Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Format:Print and ebook
Genre:Historical Fiction
Synopsis
Ellis Island, 1902: Two women band together to hold America to its promise: "Give me your tired, your poor ... your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."
A young Italian woman arrives on the shores of America, her sights set on a better life. That same day, a young American woman reports to her first day of work at the immigration center. But Ellis Island isn't a refuge for Francesca or Alma, not when ships depart every day with those who are refused entry to the country and when corruption ripples through every corridor. While Francesca resorts to desperate measures to ensure she will make it off the island, Alma fights for her dreams of becoming a translator, even as women are denied the chance.
As the two women face the misdeeds of a system known to manipulate and abuse immigrants searching for new hope in America, they form an unlikely friendship―and share a terrible secret―altering their fates and the lives of the immigrants who come after them.
This is a novel of the dark secrets of Ellis Island, when entry to "the land of the free" promised a better life but often delivered something drastically different, and when immigrant strength and female friendship found ways to triumph even on the darkest days.
Inspired by true events and for fans of Kristina McMorris and Hazel Gaynor, The Next Ship Home holds up a mirror to our own times, deftly questioning America's history of prejudice and exclusion while also reminding us of our citizens' singular determination.
My Thoughts
While researching my family tree I discovered an ancestor who had arrived at Ellis Island from Poland early in the 20th century. Unfortunately, I have been unable to trace him from that point, but have always wanted to learn more of what happened once Ellis Island was reached.
The first sighting of the Statue of Liberty heralded journey's end, promising a safe haven and a brighter future for those courageous enough to leave what was familiar for the unknown. For some, acceptance into America was straightforward; for others, it was an ordeal as Heather Webb so vividly portrays in her latest novel.
In The Next Ship Home, two young women, Alma Bauer and Francesca Ricci, meet in the halls of the immigration station and become friends. Alice is of German ancestry and is a newly employed matron with some linguistic skills. Francesca has just arrived from Sicily with only a few possessions and a will to succeed. Both are confined by their places in society, but are determined to create a better world for themselves.
Webb balances the good with the bad, but it is evident that the Ellis Island process was a frightening and stressful one, exacerbated by language difficulties and the fear of being denied entry for whatever reason: medical, political, or the whim of a tired, impatient, prejudiced or corrupt official. Deportation on the next ship was a cruel reality. Many would not be welcomed back to the country they had left or face greater hardships on their return. However, those with money were able to bribe their way into America. Women were subjected to abuse, paying with a different currency.
Not only does Webb highlight the experience of immigrants passing through Ellis Island, she also draws attention to how immigrants viewed and treated each other. Although seeking a fresh start, many still clung to the old rivalries and prejudices.
Lots of historical detail and events formed a colourful backdrop. The assassination of Present McKinley by an anarchist in 1901 explains the stance taken on allowing entry to those suspected of being anarchists; the building of the subway that Fritz, Alma's brother, is a part of; and President Roosevelt's inquiry into rumours of corruption at Ellis Island, which Alma witnesses first-hand and learns more of through Francesca, all feature.
A romance was nicely woven into the narrative,too, but it is the Ellis Island experience that makes this novel, my first by Heather Webb, an emotional and memorable read. It is a story that will resonate with many readers, as it did with me.
Where to Purchase
Barnes & Noble | Google Play | Amazon | Kobo
Meet the Author
Up and coming, Heather's new solo novel called THE NEXT SHIP HOME: A NOVEL OF ELLIS ISLAND is about unlikely friends that confront a corrupt system altering their fates and the lives of the immigrants who come after them, and it releases in Feb 2022. Also, look for her third collaboration with her beloved writing partner, Hazel Gaynor, THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE, releasing this July! (2021)
When not writing, Heather flexes her foodie skills, geeks out on pop culture and history, or looks for excuses to head to the other side of the world.
For more information, please visit Heather's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, January 31
Kick-off at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, February 1
Review at The Lit Bitch
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Review at A Baker’s Perspective
Wednesday, February 2
Review at MTM Reads
Review at momma_doc_reads
Thursday, February 3
Review at With A Book In Our Hands
Interview at Books, Ramblings, and Tea
Friday, February 4
Review at Novels Alive
Review at View from the Birdhouse
Review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Saturday, February 5
Review at Girl Who Reads
Sunday, February 6
Interview at Reading is My Remedy
Monday, February 7
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss
Review at Books, Writings, and More
Tuesday, February 8
Review at Booking With Janelle
Wednesday, February 9
Interview at Novels Alive
Review at Rachel McMillan
Review at Jessica Belmont
Thursday, February 10
Review at Reader_ceygo
Review at Donna's Book Blog
Friday, February 11
Interview at Reader_ceygo
Review at A Darn Good Read
Interview at Reading the Past
Review at The Enchanted Shelf
Reading Challenges
This book satisfies the following Reading Challenges:
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I visited Ellis Island when I was in New York a few years ago! It's such an interesting place and so many American's can trace their lineage to people who came through there. Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThat would have been an amazing visit! So much history.
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