97 Orchard tells the story of five immigrant families, each of them, as it happens, residents of a single New York Tenement in the years between 1863 and 1935. Though separated by time and national background, the Glockners, the Moores, the Gumpertzes, the Rogarshevskys, and the Baldizzis, were all players in the Age of Immigration, a period of sweeping demographic change for both the Old and New Worlds.
Starting in Europe in the early 1800's, whole chunks of humanity streamed from the countryside to the cities - the continent's new manufacturing centers - in pursuit of work. Those who could afford to embarked on a trans-Atlantic migration, lured to the United States by the promise of American prosperity and freedom. 97 Orchard chronicles what became of those immigrants, but from a special vantage point: it retells the immigrant story from the elemental perspective of the foods they ate.
97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement
by Jane Ziegelman
This sounds fascinating! I've seen nothing but praise for 97 Orchard and plan to start reading later today. My book club will discuss the book in early November. What do you think? Is the topic of interest to you?
Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea.
Excellent topic for a book and a book club. It would be great for the Immigrant Reading Challenge! (The link is on my blog).
ReplyDeleteWell, Ii do love immigrant stories so I probably would read this one. Will wait for you review JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteI love sweeping novels like this. I'd definitely give it a try, if I weren't knee-deep in student essays.
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Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - Thanks for the link! I remember hearing about this challenge at the beginning of the year... will read through the posts.
ReplyDeleteVicki - I think my book club is going to have a lot to discuss with this book.
Diane - I think I'm going to enjoy this one.
Pauita - I'm surprised you're able to read anything at all...
Nise' - That's what I'm hoping for!
I do think this one sounds great. And of course, I really dig the food aspect.
ReplyDeleteStaci - There are recipes in the book, too. Wonder if there is one I could serve to the group...
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fascinating read.
ReplyDeleteI know the immigrants tale is usually a sad one, it can be moving experience. Hope you enjoy it.
I look forward to your review. This one sounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteJenny Girl - I've only just started, but enjoying it so far.
ReplyDeleteReviewsbylola - I'll post my review after the book club meeting, so I can talk about how they liked it, too.
This book sounds great. Yet another one for my wishlist.
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