OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Good-bye Russia, Hello America" by Janet S. Kleinman.]

Jacov, Reuven, and their mother Ida leave Russia aboard the steamship Lithuania. They arrive to America, where Ida's two other sons, Nathan and Louis, are waiting for them. The immigration authorities give the brothers new anglicized names. Jacov becomes Jack and Reuven becomes Rubin. The Sidowitz family pursues the American dream. During the 1920s, the Sidowitz family starts a business and expands the family. During the 1930s, their business thrives thanks to contracts with the government. Problem is that the family receives alarming news from Yehuda, the oldest brother, who stayed in Russia. Jews are being persecuted, the Germans and Russians are grabbing land, and there are rumors of war. The United States enters World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Jack is drafted to serve in Europe as part of a special mission. However, he promises Mama Ida that he will try to find Yehuda in the middle of the war. Will Jack be able to keep his promise?

What I liked the most about Good-bye Russia, Hello America is that it is a beautiful and serious nod to immigration. Janet S. Kleinman, the author, notes that she wrote the book as a nod to immigration because her own family came to America between the two world wars. The theme of immigration is the main point of the book. The Sidowitz family is Jewish and leaves Russia seeking a better and safer life in America. With hard work and determination, they achieve a good life in America.

Kleinman also discusses the theme of Americanization, which is quite important and controversial among immigrants. The immigration authorities gave the main characters new anglicized names, which was a real practice at the time. When I read this part in the book, I felt a deep feeling of understanding and empathy. During the 1940s, my maternal grandfather and his three brothers changed their Spanish names to American names in order to prevent discrimination. My grandfather José Enrique became Henry.

The Sidowitz family did everything they could to belong in America, which I believe is a beautiful thing. They worked hard. They practiced English. They established a successful business. They served their new country during World War II. All of their actions show patriotism. I love that the book demonstrates that immigrants become American patriots. I also love that the book shows that they do it while preserving their own traditions. The Sidowitz family clearly became American, but they kept practicing their Jewish religious and cultural traditions.

As a historian, another thing I enjoyed about Good-bye Russia, Hello America is that it is obvious that the author did a lot of historical research. Kleinman successfully discusses several historical events throughout the story. Examples are immigration to America during the 1920s, the Great Depression, and World War II.

What I liked the least about the book is that sometimes it was difficult to understand who was talking in the dialogues. I had to read twice some parts in order to understand who was talking. I do not think, however, that this is a major problem. As for errors, I only found one, which I think was a printing error.

I rate Good-bye Russia, Hello America 4 out of 4 stars because I think that the author did a wonderful job discussing the themes of immigration and Americanization. She also did an excellent job doing historical research for this historical fiction novel. I would recommend this book to historical fiction aficionados and those interested in reading about immigration to America. Without a doubt, the story demonstrates what it is like for immigrants to pursue the American dream and become Americans while preserving their cultural identity.

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Good-bye Russia, Hello America
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Like Yolimari's review? Post a comment saying so!

I like that the book has the theme of immigration in it. It sounds like this book is an enlightening and educational read.

Great Review! ?

Nice review! This seems like a good book based around immigration.

I like history especially when it talks about Jewish people. this book is one of my taste. I like the way you write your review. it gives me hint. Thanks for that. Cheers!

This sounds like a novel full of great themes and interesting characters. Thanks for the review.

Amagine wrote:I like that the book has the theme of immigration in it. It sounds like this book is an enlightening and educational read.

Great Review! ?

Yes, immigration to the United States is the main theme of the book.

Thanks!

-- 29 Aug 2017, 10:43 --

readandsmile wrote:I like history especially when it talks about Jewish people. this book is one of my taste. I like the way you write your review. it gives me hint. Thanks for that. Cheers!

The book mostly discusses how the Sidowitz family, which is Jewish, immigrated to America from Russia to have a better and safer life. It also discusses the atrocities the Nazis committed against the Jewish people during World War II and how the Jewish people started to flee to Palestine to build their own state after the war ended.

Thanks!

I am glad to hear this is well-researched. It sounds like an engrossing read, while dealing sensitively with issues of immigration and cultural identity. Thank you for sharing!

Reuben 92 wrote:I am glad to hear this is well-researched. It sounds like an engrossing read, while dealing sensitively with issues of immigration and cultural identity. Thank you for sharing!

Yes, the author definitely had to do historical research to write this book, particularly about the Great Depression and World War II.

Thanks for reading my review!

You are very welcome

Anglicised names! I never knew such things happened in the US. Reminds me of a foreign volunteer teacher who gave us nicknames in the early 90's. She insisted they were hard to pronounce. Nicely done Yolimari. I enjoyed reading your review.

juliusotinyo wrote:Anglicised names! I never knew such things happened in the US. Reminds me of a foreign volunteer teacher who gave us nicknames in the early 90's. She insisted they were hard to pronounce. Nicely done Yolimari. I enjoyed reading your review.

Yes, it sounds awful, but historically it was a practice here in the US. It is not common for it to happen today, meaning immigrants are not made to change their names. However, some people who do not understand different names still try to call one something else. I have been called Mary and Jolee because my name is different. And when I told the person who called me Mary to please not, she got annoyed at me. Your example is another one of those situations.

Thanks for reading my review and your insight!

I have been called Mary and Jolee because my name is different. And when I told the person who called me Mary to please not, she got annoyed at me.

I can relate, in my community, a lot goes in the naming of a person. I can't say I've not had troubles pronouncing foreign names (South-East Asian names are particularly hard) but I always make the effort. Consider Otinyo which has a deeply personal meaning and unique to my family, then someone names you tiny!? Thanks for sharing.

Major issue I found is that people were still being discriminated hence they had to change their names. It just shows how we humans are the enemies of humans and nothing more

I love historical fiction and books about the jewish people during WWII. I think I will enjoy this book. Thank you for the review.

I am a bit fun of historical book. I want to try reading this book. It look like there is a conflict between this two country. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts in here.