Thanks to Loretta Eldridge of Simon & Schuster Canada, I am giving away one print copy of ‘Russian Tattoo’ by Elena Gorokhova.
Book Description:
An exquisite portrait of mothers and daughters that reaches from Cold War Russia to modern-day New Jersey, from the author of A Mountain of Crumbs—the memoir that “leaves you wanting more” (The Daily Telegraph, UK).
In A Mountain of Crumbs Elena Gorokhova describes coming of age behind the Iron Curtain and leaving her mother and her Motherland for a new life in the United States. Now, in Russian Tattoo, Elena learns that the journey of an immigrant is filled with everyday mistakes, small humiliations, and a loss of dignity. Cultural disorientation comes in the form of not knowing how to eat a hamburger, buy a pair of shoes, or catch a bus. But through perseverance and resilience, Elena gradually adapts to her new country. With the simultaneous birth of her daughter and the arrival of her Soviet mother, who comes to the US to help care for her granddaughter and stays for twenty-four years, it becomes the story of a unique balancing act and a family struggle.
Russian Tattoo is a poignant memoir of three generations of strong women with very different cultural values, all living under the same roof and battling for control. Themes of separation and loss, grief and struggle, and power and powerlessness run throughout this story of growing understanding and, finally, redemption. “Gorokhova writes about her life with a novelist’s gift,” says The New York Times, and her latest offering is filled with empathy, insight, and humor.
About Elena Gorokhova:
Elena Gorokhova grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia, although for most of her life it was known to her as Leningrad. At the age of twenty-four she married an American and came to the United States with only a twenty kilogram suitcase to start a new life. The author of A Mountain of Crumbs and Russian Tattoo, she has a Doctorate in Language Education and currently lives in New Jersey. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, on BBC Radio, and in a number of literary magazines.
This giveaway is open to Canada only and ends on January 23, 2015. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
This book is fascinating and memorable. thanks.
I always enjoy a great read about people and how time changes things
Having a Russian heritage is why it interests me.
I like that this is a memoir of three generations of strong women. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love books about Russia, even modern stories. The red and black pattern looks very Russian, from a shawl.
I would enjoy reading about their life in Russia, and what it is like for them to come to the US. I am glad that the book contains some humor. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Wow, I cannot imagine a scenario in which reading such a book would be anything other than enriching, heartening read — entering this contest is certainly a no-brainer for me…plus, she represents JERSEY. I am very proud of that homeland of mine. 😉 Cheers and thanks, Kara S
love generational sweeping sagas , dying for a new great read and will put on my read list
I copied the wrong link to repin one of your posts. I will post the link in this comment box.http://www.pinterest.com/pin/504332858246798897/ under http://www.pinterest.com/deniseduvall/books/
I looked at this post a number of times while entering the contest for which I am ineligible, as I am not Canadian. In a human-like fashion, I only learned of my mistake upon (not) winning the giveaway. It’s amazing how much people look and look at things (and people) in life constantly while failing to perceive salient truths that are not in any way obscured from our view. One cannot be reminded enough to take care to always look carefully, IMHO. Cheers, Kara S