We Were Strangers Once

This novel is centered around immigrants stories, particularly focusing on German Jews who came to the United States in the 1930s. Their struggles often feel familiar - learning the language, navigating immigration laws and regulations, figuring new lives in a new place - I could see parallels with the stories of refugees today. However, I did struggle a bit with staying engaged with the story and a particular event towards the end of this book was incredibly sad. Overall, this is a decent read that fans of World War II=era fiction will likely enjoy.

It is intriguing that the author waited until both of her parents had passed away before writing this book. Just like in this book, her parents were German Jews who escaped before Hitler's full scale of them for extermination.

Egon Schneider, the main character of this book was the son of successful naturalists. His father wrote about birds and his mother illustrated them. Egon felt closest to his mother and his father mainly ignored him. So when he died he felt very alone. Not having the talent to capture the special qualities in drawing them, Egon decided to become an ophthamalogist. He and his roommate, Meyer, in college were very different but they started a lifelong friendship. They both escaped Germany for New York just in time.

A show more group of German immigrants formed and Egon's affection for animals lead to his meeting an Irish immigrant, Catrina. The German Jews had fled Germany because of the impending Holocaust. They had no choice if they wanted to stay alive but many did not believe what was happening until they barely could make it out. One of the basic themes of the book was whether or not they would
assimilate. In the group, Meyer was the closest to do that but an older couple who kept thinking they would return to the beloved home could not do that,

I enjoyed reading this book very much, especially the parts that animals played in this story. The characters were complex and it was difficult to stop reading.

I received a finished copy of this book from a win from FirstReads. My thoughts and feelings in this review are totally my own show less

It took me a little while to get into this book. Even though Egon's parents are rich and famous, they are very strange. They don't really like people other than each other and that was fine by me. I felt really sorry for Egon. His mother included him in things, but after she died, he was pretty much on his own.

This story takes place before and during the round up of the Jews. Egon and his friends saw it happening but could not believe that it could happen to them. They finally left Europe, Egon an ophthalmologist, and his friend, Meyer, was an author. When they got to America, both were neither of those. They were not citizens and their fame in Europe stayed there.

I really enjoyed the story especially the articles that Meyer would write show more about his group of friends. I found it very interesting how long it took people to figure out what exactly was going on with the Jews. I guess because it was too horrific to believe. And, each character had their own feelings and thoughts about what was happening or not happening.

I was kind of sad when the book ended, as I had to leave them.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. show less

Aware of how the times are changing, a group of German Jews are fortunate enough to be able to leave their country before Hitler can implement his final Solution. They settle in Manhattan, take whatever jobs they can get, and though the jobs they take are far from the positions they held in their home country, they try to stay hopeful.

New relationships, periods of adjustment we follow a core group of characters. A slightly different type of WWII book, because these were the lucky ones but they still have family and friends in Germany who are at risk. I'm not sure why I didn't connect with this more, but I really neither liked nor disliked the characters, and the narrative seemed rather flat. This has a timely and good message about the show more trials and tribulations of immigrants, in fact the Irish immigrant experience is also included in the plot. Should have liked it more, many other readers did, so let's just say a worthy read, but expected more.

ARC from Netgalley. show less

We Were Strangers Once by [Carter, Betsy]I was given this book by NetGalley however the review is my own honest opinion

I found this book lyrical and tender in a way. The book is set in Germany, during Hitler's time, and in Washington Heights. It talks about the people who have to leave one country to live somewhere else. I felt like I could relate to the characters and the journey they made felt real. I enjoyed this book and I recommend it to all.

Interesting book of the immigrant experience in USA at beginning of WWII