THE NEXT SHIP HOME by Heather Webb

 

"An unflinching look at the immigrant experience, an unlikely and unique friendship, and a resonant story of female empowerment."—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star

Ellis Island, 1902: Two women band together to hold America to its promise: "Give me your tired, your poor ... your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."

A young Italian woman arrives on the shores of America, her sights set on a better life. That same day, a young American woman reports to her first day of work at the immigration center. But Ellis Island isn't a refuge for Francesca or Alma, not when ships depart every day with those who are refused entry to the country and when corruption ripples through every corridor. While Francesca resorts to desperate measures to ensure she will make it off the island, Alma fights for her dreams of becoming a translator, even as women are denied the chance.

As the two women face the misdeeds of a system known to manipulate and abuse immigrants searching for new hope in America, they form an unlikely friendship—and share a terrible secret—altering their fates and the lives of the immigrants who come after them.

This is a novel of the dark secrets of Ellis Island, when entry to "the land of the free" promised a better life but often delivered something drastically different, and when immigrant strength and female friendship found ways to triumph even on the darkest days.

Inspired by true events and for fans of Kristina McMorris and Hazel Gaynor, The Next Ship Home holds up a mirror to our own times, deftly questioning America's history of prejudice and exclusion while also reminding us of our citizens' singular determination.

MY THOUGHTS

This is my second book by Heather Webb.. It won't be my last. This book was a very touching and tough look at the things that happened on Ellis Island in 1902. Both to the female immigrants and the female employees. It's not pretty.

This story is about two young women who are starting out with new adventures in life. One an American citizen, the other an Italian immigrant. Alma is still living at home and in no hurry to marry. Her stepdad decides she needs to get a job and help support the family. He sends her to Ellis Island where she will be working with immigrants. Helping out in any way needed. It's not a pleasant joy by any means. Long hours and exhausting. But she is a hard worker. 

Francesca and her sister are new to America. They fled their home and very cruel father to hopefully find a better life. When tragedy strikes Francesca has to find a way to stay in America... That is how her and Alma become the best of friends. Alma helps her. Francesca has had to endure a lot. A lot of ugly things. Being from another country does not help and in every way makes it worse. Men take advantage of her and other female immigrants. 

The Next Ship Home gave me a whole different look at things that happened on Ellis Island. I never thought about these things. It just never entered my mind that people were so cruel way back then. Not a whole lot has changed it seems. Each nationality is very prejudice against the next. Men treat women like they are less than human. Life is hard for everyone. This book covers things that will make you think about that. About being a stranger in a whole new country. How scary that must be. It would be terrifying for me to have to go into another country. Unable to speak the language. Not knowing anyone. Having to fight for yourself. Having to fight for food. It had to be so scary. 

This book is well written and one that makes you think. Makes you see things in a whole new way. I've read a couple of books set on Ellis Island but they never covered the atrocities that happened. The prejudice. The cruelty. It made me so sad. Made me cry to think of what these people went through. 

Most of the characters are so likable. There are a few that you will detest but most are nice and have a heart. The book takes you to a place where you will feel the pain and hunger that these immigrants felt on a boat headed to a new country. How the people in the upper classes reacted to them. 

Thank you #NetGalley #HeatherWebb, #Sourcebookslandmark for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 stars and a very high recommendation.