How to Make a Life: A Novel Paperback – October 13, 2020

First of all, this was a fantastic book, with the exception of a rediculous couple of sentences at the end of the Prologue chapter. While it may have been done for dramatic reasons, as a genealogist, I feel compelled to dispel the myth of name changes at Ellis Island, which simply didn't happen:"In Kotovka she had been Chaya Amdur, but when the clerk asked her name she said, “Ida. Ida Amdur.” She changed her daughter’s names as well, Beilah to Bessie and Feige to Fanny. They would be Americans now."This is patently rediculous. First of all, the clerk would have had her Old County name and those of her children written on the manifest filled out by the shipping company in Hamburg, her port of departure. Secondly, in the next chapter, it states that she only knew five words of English. How then, would she be able to change everybody's names when she had no familiarity whatsoever with American names, and was literally, just off the boat? It is likely that she would have chosen new names awhile later, once she had settled in her new country.In every other respect, I loved this book. The characters were realistic, and the book portrayed a real down-to-earth family, with all of its ups and downs.

How to Make a Life is an engaging story that spans several generations of an immigrant family coping with starting over in a new country and remaining strong together. Secrets and setbacks threaten each generation’s progress, but ultimately family triumphs as individuals find strength in their shared binds. This is a big-hearted yet clear-eyed look at the ripple effect of trauma and how humans strive to overcome it.

This century-long family saga was full of believable, beautifully drawn characters. As I, myself, am a child of Jewish parents who immigrated from Eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th Century, I thought the steely determination shown by Ida and Bessie to make life work in the U.S. came through with just the right substance and tone. The varied lives lived and choices made by the subsequent generations were also relatable, as each found their own path. And perhaps above all, the portrayal of the impact that the mentally ill daughter Ruby had on so many different members of the family was sensitively and skillfully presented. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in how an immigrant experience plays out through the generations within family dynamics.

This was well written, followed multiple generations, which I like, but overall I found the book to be depressing and just wanted to get it finished.

fantastic read! couldn't put it down and hated to se it end.

Yes the story of Holocaust and Pogrom survivors making their way in America, is not an uncommon tale. But the structural brilliance of this one made it a very different read for me. At first, I was dismayed at how fast the author was moving through the years, leaving me with unanswered questions along the way; but as I read on and on, I realized that all my questions were answered, whether entwined in stories of others or directly out of other characters' mouths! This cannot have been easy!Structuring a novel has always seemed daunting to me but I’m told that once you decide on that, you can begin.Florence Kraut began and ended, and held my attention all the way.

The author did an excellent job developing interesting characters! I really enjoyed this novel! It was written so well. I actually read this book in February and I remember all the people in the story! Kudos to this second career author! I look forward to reading more.

I was so enthralled with this novel. It was completely engaging and I certainly could relate to so many of the themes around family issues good and bad. The writer and the talented reader on Audible created a beautiful description of events and characters.I would not be surprised to see this on a streaming service as a binge worthy series!!Highly recommended, in fact, don't hesitate, buy it today along with the Audible

I enjoyed and appreciated the insights this book gave me into the ways families operate both intentionally and unintentionally. It illustrates how the past influences the present in ways we don’t even acknowledge. The characters are multi-dimensional and watching each generation find their way was terrific. Well worth the read

I enjoyed the book but found it hard to keep up with so many generations and who belonged to who. Well written, characters were good & their stories interesting.