04/04/2022
Inspired by his paternal grandfather's story of migration to the United States, Michalik's debut novel follows the not-so-smooth journey of a hopeful and determined young Slovak peasant, starting in 1910. Like countless others before and after, Jan Brozek dreams of securing a better life for himself, his fiancé Maria, and their future family. With hopes of emigrating to America, Jan carefully prepares for his daunting endeavor, which is complicated by the Habsburg empire’s refusal to let go of men who are fit for military service. But an eye inflammation and a chance encounter with the lovely daughter of a baron disrupt the pair's meticulous plans. Those unpredictable twists of fate force Jan to find a new path to the United States and question what his heart truly desires.
Readers fascinated by the day-to-day life of the past will be drawn in by the thoroughly detailed depiction of travel from Europe to the Americas–Michalik’s research reveals the logistics and practical considerations of every leg of the journey–as well as the larger historical aspects that Michalik includes, particularly the political and social aspects of daily life for rural Slovak villagers. The choice to emphasize historical detail, such as the lecture a character delivers about the holds and refrigeration of a cargo vessel, comes at the expense of narrative momentum, with Michalik’s love story lacking some intensity, and several promising plotlines fading into the background without making a larger impact.
Jan's travel, which is not instigated by tragic circumstances, naturally stirs a sense of adventure and optimism. But Michalik doesn't neglect to highlight the uncertainties and difficulties facing immigrants in that time period—including the hardship of leaving loved ones behind, knowing you may never meet again, with only slow and unreliable mail as a form of communication. This heartfelt story showcases the perseverance and steadfastness required when taking a leap of faith to start a new life.
Takeaway: This inspiring, detail-rich immigration story will speak to history lovers fascinated by the early 20th century American experience.
Great for fans of: Mary Antin's The Promised Land, Adriana Trigiani's The Shoemaker's Wife.
Production grades Cover: A Design and typography: A Illustrations: N/A Editing: B Marketing copy: A
2022-03-08
A young Slovak immigrant takes an unexpectedly circuitous path to the United States in a novel inspired by the experiences of debut novelist Michalik’s paternal grandfather.
It’s May 1910, and 24-year-old Jan Brozek is about to embark on a journey to begin a new life in America. As the eldest child in a close-knit, poor family, Jan grew up in the small village of Vazec, part of the Hungarian kingdom within the Hapsburg Empire. He and his fiancee, Maria Kresiak, have been planning their immigration for the past two years, saving money first for his trip with a plan for her to follow later. In Minneapolis, Jan will find a job and send Maria supplemental funds for her travel, but money isn’t the only reason they must immigrate separately. Maria would have little difficulty obtaining an exit visa from the Hapsburg government, but the same doesn’t hold for Jan; although he’s completed his military service, the empire wants to retain young, able-bodied men for armed conflict. The plan is for Jan to sneak across the border into Russian-held Poland, and from there, to cross into Germany, where he’ll secure passage on a ship to New York City. One day before dawn, he sets out by foot, blending in with sheepherders on their daily trek, and his adventures begin. Over the course of this novel, Michalik seamlessly weaves historical, societal, and political details of the setting into a tale that traces the thousands of miles—and unexpected extra years—before Jan reaches his destination. A rolling series of diverse secondary characters adds intriguing side plots, including a murder mystery at sea, making for an unusual tale of an immigration journey. Michalik introduces engaging emotional conflict early on, when his protagonist twice rescues Anna Ihnacak, a young woman of noble birth, and they each soon occupy a permanent place in the other’s heart. Although the narrative tension is light, overall, a steady flow of vignettes offers well-paced drama.
A tender, evocative tribute to one man’s determination to fulfill his American dream.