Rating: 
Summary: So Glad I Bought This Book, It's One Of The Best I've Read
Review: This story is about the closeness, the struggles, the traditions, and the Americanization of 4 generations of Polish women. This book brought back so many of my childhood memories of learning from my Polish "bubchi"/grandmother. I loved this book for that reason because my Polish mother passed away when I was 6 and my new stepmother a few years later would not allow any contact. I devoured this book! It was like a trip back in time. I forgot all about the traditional Christmas meal and the strict Catholic core. I can't say enough about this book. It's a great story to read and anyone can relate to it since America is made up of lots and lots of immigrants. A lot of the book is actually about the new generations wanting to "be different" and break away from tradition, wanting to be "themselves" and not just an extention of mom, grandmom, or great-grandmom. But it's hard to escape something when it's a part of a person and this book is about about that trip. And to the author......Thank you for writing this book. You gave things back to me that I didn't even know I lost. I can hear my grandmother's broken English, I can smell her cooking, I can feel her love for me. Like the book says...I'm a Polish daughter.
Rating:
Summary: Generational study of family dynamics and tradition
Review: This was a wonderful book. Very well written. I enjoyed the generational interaction between the 4 generations of Marchewka women. The author did a great job exploring the loss of tradition among the generations. We felt the sadness that Rose felt as her traditions didn't seem important to her grand-daughters and we felt the strangulation that Ginger felt because she was being forced to learn them. Amy was a great catalyst to bring them together and to help us all want to understand a little more about our heritage. Kudos, to Ms. Peitryk on her first novel. May we see many more to follow.
Rating:
Summary: Really spoke to me
Review: This was an EXCELLENT book, and really had a lot of things in common with my childhood, so that is probably why I liked it so much. Has a lot of good things to say, makes you think!
Rating:
Summary: Really spoke to me
Review: This was an EXCELLENT book, and really had a lot of things in common with my childhood, so that is probably why I liked it so much. Has a lot of good things to say, makes you think!
Rating:
Summary: LOVED this book! Better than therapy!
Review: When I was born, I was the fifth generation daughter in the US. My family emigrated from Eastern Europe around WW2 and I was the second generation born here. I could not believe how much this story moved me. I know these women - I am these women. We read this for my book club and I purchased the books from my other club members to send to my mother, aunt, and two cousins. I hope they see what I saw! If you wonder where you came from, where you are going and why you are/aren't like your mom, grandmother, great grandmother... this book may move you also. I would give it ten stars if I could. Thank you - Leslie!
Rating: 
Summary: Pierogi Lite
Review: While this book won't stick to your ribs like a well-made and filling Polish pierogi, it does provide a lightly entertaining and personal insight into growing up in America from the vantage point of having relatives from the Old Country. It resonated with me because of my (tenuous) Lithuanian roots. The foods, the sayings, the strictures of Catholicism, the roles relegated to women, the Old Country stories--all struck a chord in me. Don't be put off if you aren't of Eastern European background; this will be of interest to anyone who has an interest in the peoples who have come to America in this century. (I LOVE to read about any and all nationalities that settle here). Not brilliant and not a non-fictional telling, but definitely worthy in many respects.
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