Two different girls come to America for a better life and to work to better their families lives. Told from the view point of Rosie an immigrant from Russia, and Maria an immigrant from Italy, these two girls along with thousands of others who passed through immigration on Ellis Island lived very similar but different lives trying to make it in America. They overcame many hurdles just to get here, and then hope they will also be let in and not send back to their country.
Each girl quickly settles in, with the help of others who have come before them and been down the same path. They quickly learn that America work is not as it is portrayed and things are not so easy. Although both are expected to send all money they make home, they can’t help but indulge in the American way of things. Spending days at parks, theaters, amusement areas or on the new clothing. They worked for these funds after all.
The girls learn to make the most for their work, they must push, beg and bargain. They jump jobs and factories as each place seems to have its own rules and pay. It is not fair, and often these girls and women are taken advantage of with horrible working conditions, docked pay for any reason seen fit and are just a dime a dozen in the eyes of these men who are out to make as much as possible, to keep lining their pockets.
During an uprising strike, the two girls become friends and both soon become involved in pursing better and safer working conditions, while fighting against the owners, police and government who are against women having any sort of say or rights. Then one day, a terrible fire breaks out, and history is changed forever.
A lot of us have heard about the Triangle Waist fire, but this author really dove into the historical aspect of it all. The leading up to it, the immigrants who worked daily in these conditions as well as the aftermath of it all. This was a very well written novel! I loved reading from the two girls perspectives and what it was like to come to America for a better life, but yet having to fight for everything. Thank you to the author for sending me a free book, I LOVE this cover and how she tied the title into the storyline, giving more meaning than just to the fire that happened.
~ About the Author ~
Heather is a natural 1200-wpm speed reader and the author of twenty-two novels. She came to writing after careers as a software developer and elementary school computer teacher and can’t imagine ever leaving it. In her spare time, she reads, swims, walks, lifts weights, crochets, changes her hair colour, and plays drums and clarinet.
Reading Is My Remedy 