The Immigrant's Wife by J.B. Harris

 Complex, Powerful, Heartbreaking

Historical Fiction/Family Fiction

The Immigrant’s Wife by J.B. Harris ( Jbharrisbooks )

How was their fledgling relationship to survive, when all around them people tutted and stared and made remarks under their breath that they thought Anna and Charles couldn’t hear, some not even caring if they did. No one was prepared to fight their corner, save Jesse, Anna’s older sister and they both knew that they could no longer be if the girls’ parents were to find out. They had made it painfully clear where they stood on the matter, which had surprised Anna, as even up to that fateful day, she had still held onto the hope that they would see what she saw when they looked at Charles. That affection for him would increase as they got to know one another. Anna had brushed aside the warnings from her mother about what her life would be like and felt certain that if they had each other, together they could weather any storm. However, neither of them could have foreseen the cruel twist of fate that was to strike, a matter of months into their union, that would set the course for things to come for some expanse of time, sending Charles on a journey of desperation, resignation, provocation and salvation and leaving Anna in one of the most desperate situations imaginable.

I spotted this book sometime ago but can’t recall where. I put it on my goodreads list so that I would remember to read it when I got round to it. A video from the author then appeared on my feed, which prompted me to read her book. Although this novel wasn’t the longest I’d read in terms of pages, it felt longer because of the number of chapters and their format. Each is headed with a place, month and year, which is helpful. However, when several chapters in succession were headed with the same place, month and year, it did begin to feel quite monotonous and concentration became quite hard work I found. Particularly when Charles and Anna find themselves in two different locations for a large portion of the novel. At that point, for me anyway, it may have been better to have varied chapters from one character’s narrative to another, if not every chapter then maybe every couple of chapters. I was more inclined to Anna’s half of the narrative, and I found that her sections of the novel would end on a very suspenseful note, and then there would be an extensive run of chapters relating to Charles’ story, which I did find a little frustrating. The writing however is excellent, accurately depicting how people would have spoken during that time, particularly those with an exotic cadence. I enjoy dialogue, rather than descriptive passages, imagining how the characters would speak. This author’s writing made that easy leaving no doubt of each person’s heritage.

The setting of the opening scene and the way in which it was written drew me in immediately. Preparing the reader for what is about to happen and that it might not go smoothly, but not saying why. This made me want to continue to find out why Anna was so apprehensive. As the scene unfolds, you understand why and it sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Anna’s frustration and angst are palpable and I was willing Charles not to say anything to make matters worse after his first faux pas. It is really heart warming how close Anna is with her sister, almost acting as a kind of tag team against their parents, trying to save any comment that might fuel the flame that has already been fanned by the simple act of conversation. The strategically placed seating at supper is a futile attempt to quash the acquaintance and is a sign of things to come. Although she had spoken of his kindness and their easy conversation, her parents were only prepared to see that one characteristic. Perhaps I shouldn’t have, but when Anna tries to reach Charles under the table during a particularly impertinent line of questioning from her father, and kicks Tinker, I did have a little chuckle. I felt sorry for Charles entering the lions den, unprepared for what he would face. Mr McIntosh giving his wife’s political opinion credence (to coin the phrasing used by the author), was clearly only because it suited him to do so. Given the reason Anna had assumed that they would be easier on Charles than they were, their attitude was hypocrisy at it’s finest. I could feel Anna’s angst again once Charles leaves.

Charles’s insistence that Anna is worth it when Nickolaus questions him is very touching and immediately made me warm to him, despite knowing that to a certain extent, Anna’s mother’s warnings were probably accurate. I also thought it was moving when Charles says to Anna that ‘it would not be right to take her from her family’ and that it bothers him later on that he has alienated her from her family and friends. It is clear that he is an extremely caring and thoughtful individual. Charles does actually try to warn about the hardships they will face, but she refuses to listen and doesn’t realise the enormity of what he is telling her.

When Anna worries about what she will be leaving behind, and if her parents will ever forgive her for bringing shame to their door, I did wander if her resolve was faltering. The suffragette movement had obviously been a very big inspiration to both girls but particularly for Anna, making her strong and wilful. When she moves into Charles’ ‘apartment’ I realise now that I completely misjudged her and thought of her as someone who would not find her surroundings worthy of her and revolt at the way she was expected to live, but, for a large part she proved me wrong actually striving to improve them. She had housekeeping skills I didn’t expect her to have and I admired her strength of character. I was surprised that both her and her sister had grown up with such different values as their parents.

When the author makes a point of Anna acknowledging the first time she is able to openly kiss Charles, I thought about how special that must have been for her. It was a lovely moment too, when Jesse instructs Charles to take care of Anna. The inner thoughts of Anna penned by the Author at that significant time, really summed up that moment, ‘It was confounding how one could experience such joy and sadness simultaneously’. Anna has clearly made a conscious effort throughout her life, not to grow up with the same outlook or relationship as her mother and father.

The sudden realisation that her parents are one by one shutting off every avenue of support open to her must have been absolutely crippling for poor Anna. When she telephones her friend Martha, even she is shocked at Anna’s naivety. The couple’s first disagreement about money also showed this. She is pleased to receive praise from Charles when she cleans the apartment. Her lack of understanding when dealing with seemingly everyday issues and a need for praise, showed a lack of maturity, but this is not surprising given her age and the way she was raised. Having lived a much tougher life, Charles at only a couple years older than her is much wiser. Anna’s surprise at the range of ethnicity when she ventures out into her new territory, speaks of a very sheltered life up to that point, and even though she struggles to get to grips with the ways that things are done, I do think that she manages to integrate herself well.

A lack of understanding as to how her new community operates is shown when she is looking for work, and asks Mrs Galanis if she needs any help with her accounting, not taking into consideration the lack of money her landlady would have with which to pay her. Also when she approaches several business, not understanding that they are run by families, and therefore would not be in need of anyone. I was surprised when the author makes the point that Anna has to look for a business ‘suitable for women’. It is not something we think about nowadays, with the privileges women have today compared to what is really just over one hundred years ago. She is tactless and childlike when she professes to be lonely, riling Charles after all he has had to endure.

During a confrontation with the priest at her church, I was surprised that neither her nor Charles had given any thought to their conflicting beliefs and religions. Charles appears to be embarrassed that he is the reason she is turned away which manifests itself as anger, but only fleetingly. It was at that point, I did wonder if his temper was going to become a regular feature and worried for Anna’s safety. To go down that line of narrative would I think, have maybe been a bit predictable. Feeling like a fish out of water at his church and unaware of the Greeks enthusiasm, she finds an encounter with a friend of Charles’s awkward. When she is unable to penetrate the group of women and join in their conversation, I was amused when Charles jumps to her rescue after she is verbally assaulted.

The term ‘hullabaloo’ made me smile when used by Thea during a conversation with Anna. I haven’t heard that word in such a long time. I thought it was great progress for Anna when Thea started warming towards her and invites to join the ladies in their recreational time and when they speak of a job available.

I thought it sweet that it is written that Charles was often corrected by Anna on table manners and dress, but did not mind because he wanted to learn from her and it is mentioned later that she helps him cope with his anger. He is pleased when Anna finds work, which I was relieved at because he had been insulted when she had first mentioned wanting to find work. He is clearly progressive and open minded. He makes the distinction that she will work until they start a family. I thought that she might bulk at this but was again glad when she makes it clear that they are on the same page. I thought it was nice that Anna was proud of her ability to work, with other women in the country fighting for the right to do so.

I was saddened that when Anna announces that she is expecting, their delight then turns to worry when they realise how much having a baby is going to cost them with just Charles’s wage. Anna is hopeful that a baby might mend the feud with her family. I wasn’t so sure. Another moment of joy and sadness colliding.

The next stage of their journey is a difficult one that they are forced to do apart. Although initially the situation that Charles finds himself in, is a devastating one, the path it leads him on, allows him a quality of life that he has not had, and although presumed to be ill fated, he does make some real bonds with others in the same situation. Anna however has to deal with a life alone that she is very ill prepared for, and on top of what would have been a very hard existence anyway, her troubles are compacted by a series of catastrophic events that take their toll on her both mentally and physically. Thankfully she has her circle of women to count on initially, until an act of desperation throws her into a world of solace and ill health.

During the first half of this period of time, it is her turn to host the women’s recreational time, she concocts a story to explain Charles’s absence, and Ethel who turns out to be her saviour more than once, says that she will help her until Charles returns. Ethel tells the group a funny story about her husband discarding his clothes after work which made me smile. Nickolaus, Charles’s friend had been popping up to the apartment to check on Anna but felt his visits needed to cease, should it appear improper. Again, this made me think of how the world is now and how impropriety is rarely a consideration nowadays.

Another incident which I was amazed at as I genuinely didn’t know it had been a practice in those years, was the bank refusing to let Anna withdraw any money without her husband, even when she says that she had earned some of it. It seems truly archaic now, not to mention barbaric, given the situation it leaves her in.

When Jesse organises Anna a baby shower with all her friends, it is lovely to read that people care for Anna, and when she receives so much help during and after childbirth, it is a blessing.

Charles is offered work as a gardener, makes a friend and due to his belief that he will never return to Anna, regrettably succumbs to an indiscretion, of which he would have otherwise abstained. When Asen recalls the period when his son was sick, it is heartbreaking, and in Charles’s mind, it strengthened his resolve that he had done the right thing. I believe that he did.

In terms of quality of life, I couldn’t help but think that at this point, it was almost like Anna and Charles had exchanged lives when relating to their old lives before they met. He appears to have the comfort and care that she once had, even thinking that he cannot recall a time when he was so carefree. Meanwhile, she is struggling to exist. Charles’s mind regularly travels to what he imagines Anna’s current situation to be, and Anna giving away his things to the needy. In his self pity, he begs the question, ‘who could be more needy than him’? This angered me, as he is certain that his assumption of how he imagined Anna had handled his leaving is correct, he never considered giving her the credit for being able to move forward in any other way. He also ‘knows’ that his leaving has shortened Anna’s and their baby’s suffering. Once again, another assumption that he comes to realise was so very misjudged and just proves how little he knows his wife.

When Jesse suggests moving in with Anna, my heart felt happy for her, but she was right to refuse her sister, as there would have ultimately been too much to lose, and Ethel telling Jesse that she is happy to stay with Anna as she doesn’t snore as much as her husband does, lightens an otherwise emotional moment for the girls. At this point, I felt the desperation for Anna’s situation, facing such deprivation, especially when her milk dries up. The lengths she has to go to were beyond desperate, but she has too much pride to ask for help. A decision she will later regret. To have to chose between food and housing as the author starkly states, is a decision that no one should be faced with.

As she is ostracized from the community in which she lives, she is reminded of a story her mother passed down to her, when considering the only option that she has left to her. The story was horrific and I have heard of such things occurring in other novels. However, she concludes that she has no choice. I was horrified that she would have to leave her child, and even more so that the action she planned to take, was by all accounts a fairly regular method used in such circumstances. At her new place of work, she acquires an ally but faces further degradation.

Anna busying herself in the apartment, to avoid a truth she cannot bear to realise, I found so upsetting, That part of Anna’s story ends with the cliff hanger of not knowing what Anna will find when she wakes. I felt a little irritated and perhaps a little less invested in Charles then, as I was eager to return to the other narrative, However, I do feel that this was a good tactic on behalf of the author to keep the reader hooked, as I found I was.

Charles is imparted news of an acquaintance with which he has history, albeit brief. He is puzzled as to why he has been given this information but lets it pass. However, he is troubled. After some time, he is approached by the person only to be given some sad news about the same person. The cover up he uses with his friend for the reason for the updates is plausible. I never realised at that point, why this had happened. Recent events remind him of the futility of friendship in such a place. When Charles experiences the love of a child only to lose them, he blames himself. I did wonder why it would have been the case that the youngster would have been buried in an unmarked grave. I came to the conclusion, that it must have been due to the numbers of such incidents but found this extremely sad. Charles struggles as Asen gets weaker, he recalls the time when he was given pain medication by Anna for a tooth extraction, that results in some very odd behaviour. I believe he uses this story as a defence mechanism against facing up to reality. Charles giving Asen permission to ‘go’, and staying by his side when he must have wanted to have done otherwise was an emotional moment. The letter that Charles receives from Asen was, a bit of a turning point for me as it informs Charles of facts that I felt Asen couldn’t possibly have known. It changes Charles’s outlook dramatically, giving him optimism, lifting the narrative.

Just as he is about to start his journey that will allow him to rejoin his wife, he is given difficult and very unexpected news and has to make a very hard decision. In my opinion he makes the right one but handles what follows incorrectly. When Anna is unable to communicate to him exactly what she has been through, he complies with her silence through fear of upsetting her and losing everything for a second time. She knows that something isn’t right and fights for recognition and to regain what is lost, until she discovers items that assist her. Her anger I think is a little unfair as Charles had no choice in what happened to him. On his return however, a lot more explanation could have been forthcoming from him. The ultimate decision they make for their little family, is definitely the right one. The only person I felt suffered because of her sister’s actions, was Jesse and I am glad that the girl’s Aunt wasn’t as cold, unforgiving and small minded as their parents.

This novel must have been an undeniably extensive undertaking for the author, but well worth the read. I was delighted to find in the author’s notes, that it is based on real findings concerning her own family. What an incredible discovery that must have been. I feel I learned a lot, especially when it came to the liberation of women. Thank you Emily Pankhurst, and thank you J.B. Harris.