Love of Finished Years

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Pub Date 02 Jan 2018 | Archive Date 04 Jan 2018

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Description

An immigrant's powerful journey of aspiration and love in early Twentieth Century New York.

Pre World War One, Elsa came to America with her eyes wide open, realizing it was up to her to make a life for herself. Surviving a sweat shop in lower Manhattan, a chance job with a Long Island elite family opens up her world. Invited in up to a point, she unwittingly, albeit precariously, crosses the social divide with her now open heart, which puts all she had worked for in jeopardy.

This moving debut novel by Gregory Erich Phillips won the grand prize in the Chanticleer Reviews international writing competition.



An immigrant's powerful journey of aspiration and love in early Twentieth Century New York.

Pre World War One, Elsa came to America with her eyes wide open, realizing it was up to her to make a life...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781640580114
PRICE $18.95 (USD)

Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

This is the best book I’ve ever read so far on the subject of WWI.

Set in pre-war and during WWI, the story beautifully captures the time period of struggle and reality of German-Americans living in NYC and affected by the war raging in Europe.

The story has a good balance of historical details to transport reader into a time period and not so much to over-bury the story. Well-presented events in action (and not words) create engrossing story, which evokes human emotions.

Twelve year old Elsa arrives with her family at Ellis Island in 1905. She is eager to go back to school, but before she can do so, they all need to find jobs to save some money. Elsa and her sister Sonja both get jobs at sweatshops. At first it seems as American dream might come to reality of saving money and buying their own place. But as expenses pile up, the American dream dwindles away, including hope of schooling, and instead anger and bitterness takes over.

Due to an incident and Nina’s (girl’s mother) new friend’s nudge, Nina takes part in women’s strike for better working conditions. With time Women’s Trade Union League wins a major victory for women workers: less working hours, increased pay and equal treatment. All that not without a sacrifice. Along the way, some women lose their jobs and subsequently roofs over their heads. Later Nina takes part in strikes for women rights to vote.

An accident happens, which opens another door for Elsa. She gets a job with a Long Island elite family. She becomes a servant to their daughter Dafne, forging a friendship. Later as girls move to NYC, it seems as the story stalls in action for a moment, however an interesting dialogue continues to carry it on.

The story captures both worlds separated by ocean. The life of struggling emigrants in NYC, set against the women’s movement which with their victory sets example for the rest of the country to follow. And the devastating war in Europe, which events are experienced by Glenn, Dafne’s girlfriend.

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I can see why this book won an award-it is an enjoyable story that grips you right from the first page. This is the story of Elsa Schuller, an immigrant from Germany. The family immigrates in 1905 when Elsa is just 12 years old. Unfortunately, when they arrive at Ellis Island, Elsa's little brother Anton is very sick and eventually dies. This is a life changing event, especially for her father. Life as an immigrant is very hard, but Elsa is very strong and never gives up. Great story about the life of an immigrant!

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It's 1905 and 12 year old Elsa Schuller, her siblings and parents arrive at Ellis Island from Germany. Getting through the processing for immigration into New York, is more than overwhelming for her and her family. Worse yet, her baby brother is sick preventing the family from leaving the Island. It is a hardship when the baby boy dies, all the dreams of coming to the new land fade away, leaving the family not only bereft but Elsa's father eventually abandons Elsa, her sister and her mother. It is then Elsa realizes why they left Germany, certainly not for her and her sister, but for the little boy who was now lost to the family. It is now up to the 3 women to find work, their survival depends upon it. Elsa's dreams of going to school fade, as reality sets in.

Life as an immigrant is difficult, learning a new language, living in abject poverty and earning wages that barely keep a roof over your head. But Elsa is strong, physically. Against all objections, she learns English, shedding her native tongue. Working at the Triangle Shirtdress Factory, she faces abuse, working long hours for little pay. After surviving the horrific fire at the factory, with a bit of luck she becomes not only a maid at a home out on Long Island, but is able to use her knowledge of English and German, helping the head of the household with translations of German documents necessary for his business. We watch as Elsa grows in maturity, as her friendship with Dafne, the teenager in the household, brings her to a world she never thought she would or could be part of.

The book takes you through the world of the immigrant, takes you into the early twentieth century, its morals, the difference between those who have and those who have not. We read as women march for a better working environment, as the world grows closer to world war and eventually war and the soldiers who fought the battles.

This book was well researched and well written. From the first page to the last it held my interest, took me into a world I believe my ancestors found when they too came to America. Everyone has a story, especially those who reached our shores so long ago. My thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I received an ARC copy from netgalley for my honest review,  so thank you netgalley and publishers for offering me this book! ♡
This is a story is about Elsa, a young girl, and her family on their journey to a new life as they head through Ellis Island in 1905. Elsa decides that she does not like America and thinks that the only reason they made the journey was so Anton, her baby brother, could have a better life. Shortly after arriving in America, Anton gets sick, his death changing everyone’s lives forever. Elsa’s father is so distraught over Anton’s death he abandons his family and hopes of a better life in America.
This was my first book by this author, and I absolutely enjoyed every second of it. It was fast paced and just alltogether an easy read. For now I give this book a 5 star rating!

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