ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. She has published twelve novels. Three of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, and Fire by Night have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, and 2004 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005.
Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
Among her latest books are A Proper Pursuit and A Woman's Place
ABOUT THE BOOK
Life in Sweden seems like an endless winter for three sisters after their mother's death and father's suicide. Elin feels the weight of responsibility for her sisters' welfare and when circumstances become unbearable, she writes to her relatives in Chicago, pleading for help.Joining sixteen million other immigrants who left their homelands for America between 1890 and 1920, Elin, Kirsten, and Sophia begin the long, difficult journey. Enduring the ocean voyage in steerage and detention on Ellis Island, their story is America's story. In a journey fraught with hardships, each woman will come to understand her secret longings and the meaning of home.
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I really enjoyed this book from the historical perspective. It dealt with three teenaged sisters immigrating from Sweden. Of course I'm slightly biased since that's where my grandfather came from at the turn of the century!
I haven't read many books that really talk about what it was like on the crossing and going through Ellis Island. I never knew that so many people were sent home (at the steamship company's expense) for simple things like having a lame leg that meant you couldn't work at a labor job. The way we value physical fitness over other things is amazing sometimes.
This was a fast read for me, partly because I found it so interesting. I love historical fiction that is well written and the drama within the Swedish immigrant community in Chicago is fascinating!
I haven't read many books that really talk about what it was like on the crossing and going through Ellis Island. I never knew that so many people were sent home (at the steamship company's expense) for simple things like having a lame leg that meant you couldn't work at a labor job. The way we value physical fitness over other things is amazing sometimes.
This was a fast read for me, partly because I found it so interesting. I love historical fiction that is well written and the drama within the Swedish immigrant community in Chicago is fascinating!
If you would like to read the first chapter of Until We Reach Home, go HERE
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