Storms … disease … starvation
It’s the early 19th century in a small Rhine River village. Is Johann Klem, a tailor and a dreamer, unaware of these dangers when he asks his family to travel over the vast ocean for a future in America? Despite floods and occupation by Napoleon’s army, Johann’s wife, Anna, is unwilling to abandon their town, the home that nourished their families for generations. Johann tries to convince her that the end of the War of 1812 and the availability of cheap land make it the best time to pursue their destiny in the land of opportunity.
After a life-altering bargain between Johann and Anna, they pack their four young children and a few possessions to embark on a relentless voyage. Over land, sea, and frozen rivers, the family meets a host of strangers on their quest: the kind and the malicious, the holy and the profane, the sane and the eccentric. These strangers with different customs and languages make an unforgettable impact on the Klems’ perilous journey.
https://www.virginiahall-apicella.com/
Link & QR Code
Link & QR Code
ISBNs
9781637775936 / 9781637775943
9781637775950
Genres
Historical fiction / Journey from Germany
404 pages
Imprint: Red Penguin Books
Language: English
Before Virginia (Ginny) Hall-Apicella began her second career as a writer, she spent thirty years as a counseling psychologist. She was a senior psychologist in the New York City court system, a consultant for mental health agencies, and had a successful private practice. Her profession gave her great insight into her fictional characters and left her with thousands of personal life stories in her head. Besides editing a local history foundation’s newsletter, she has published several short stories. She enjoys being a docent at a historic church and the ruins of an antebellum mansion. In addition to being a history nerd, Ginny enjoys gardening, poker, reading, and competitive croquet.
She lives with her husband in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Reviews
An astonishingly vivid account of a German family’ heroic journey to come to America
Virginia Hall Apicella’s novel ‘Even a Sparrow’ is an elegantly written novel about a German family’s epic journey of coming to America circa 1815. The author has clearly done diligent research about that era and the real family in the story.
As a fan of historical fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The conversational narrative treatment of the story, additionally enriched by the creative element of a child’s perspective sprinkled throughout, beautifully highlighted the universal truths of human nature.
Best read this year. Hard to put the book down. Story of love, courage, perseverance and vision for a better life in America.