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Nick, The Journey of a Lifetime
Did you ever wonder how many of the immigrants who found success in America made it? What brought them to the decision to cross the Atlantic Ocean to an unknown land and a language they could not speak? Is there a story of immigration in your own family?
"Nick, The Journey of a Lifetime" explores the tenacity behind a family of Danube Swabian people who were forced into difficult circumstances. It's a story that may be familiar to many families who have similar histories that have not yet found a voice.
The story is not over-dramatized and the characters are true to form. Circumstances have not been embellished to grab the limelight but instead held to what they were - ordinary for that time of young love and war coinciding alongside each other. It is best suited on kitchen tables in small towns across our country to inspire dialogue and open conversations about all of our pasts. If you are seeking an honest portrayal with events that actually happened to people who really existed, you will be well pleased.
Spanning the twentieth century, "Nick, The Journey of a Lifetime" introduces the world of Nick and Theresa, a young Danube Swabian couple living in Europe. Forced to escape an arranged marriage by her parents, Theresa hides until she is old enough to wed. When Nick is conscripted into the army to prepare for war, they face a series of challenges with decisions that are life changing and consequences they must live with for the remainder of their lives. A deeply moving story based on true events that reveals the strength of the human spirit and the power behind love for one another.
CHRISTINE SCHIMPF has earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has written newspaper articles, corporate newsletters, children's theatrical study guides, marketing feature articles, library newsletter articles and church bulletins. "Nick, The Journey of a Lifetime" is her first book. She lives with her husband and family in rural Wisconsin.
"Nick, The Journey of a Lifetime" explores the tenacity behind a family of Danube Swabian people who were forced into difficult circumstances. It's a story that may be familiar to many families who have similar histories that have not yet found a voice.
The story is not over-dramatized and the characters are true to form. Circumstances have not been embellished to grab the limelight but instead held to what they were - ordinary for that time of young love and war coinciding alongside each other. It is best suited on kitchen tables in small towns across our country to inspire dialogue and open conversations about all of our pasts. If you are seeking an honest portrayal with events that actually happened to people who really existed, you will be well pleased.
Spanning the twentieth century, "Nick, The Journey of a Lifetime" introduces the world of Nick and Theresa, a young Danube Swabian couple living in Europe. Forced to escape an arranged marriage by her parents, Theresa hides until she is old enough to wed. When Nick is conscripted into the army to prepare for war, they face a series of challenges with decisions that are life changing and consequences they must live with for the remainder of their lives. A deeply moving story based on true events that reveals the strength of the human spirit and the power behind love for one another.
CHRISTINE SCHIMPF has earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has written newspaper articles, corporate newsletters, children's theatrical study guides, marketing feature articles, library newsletter articles and church bulletins. "Nick, The Journey of a Lifetime" is her first book. She lives with her husband and family in rural Wisconsin.
228 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2012
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Christine Schimpf
8 books24 followersBorn and raised in a small town in southeastern Wisconsin, Christine graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Magna cum Laude. She is an award winning essayist which led her to copy editing and writing. After self-publishing two books, she now writes inspirational romance for Prism/Pelican Book Group.
Christine is a member of the national and local chapters of the Romance Writers of America.
She lives on five acres in the country with her husband and golden retriever. A love for the outdoors has her enjoying golf, tennis, kayaking and simply sitting in a lawn chair listening to nature.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 31, 2012
Not sure what to expect from this. The author contacted me and asked if I'd review it so I'm giving it a go.
A few years ago I gave each of my parents a blank journal with the words "my story" written on the cover. The hope was that they'd write down memorable and character building stories that myself and future generations of the family could appreciate. This book was a bit like what I was thinking they might eventually write. The problem with the similarity is that I think this book would be most useful to the family of the author and its characters. It's such a short book encompassing so much time that anything that would be of interest to the general public gets glossed over. There's just not enough detail. Nick obviously led an interesting and full life and I feel like I got the bullet points and not much substance. Many passages just felt rushed. It would have served its subject better if the whole book would have been longer or if each section of his life was documented in a separate book. This story has potential but it needs more work.
A few years ago I gave each of my parents a blank journal with the words "my story" written on the cover. The hope was that they'd write down memorable and character building stories that myself and future generations of the family could appreciate. This book was a bit like what I was thinking they might eventually write. The problem with the similarity is that I think this book would be most useful to the family of the author and its characters. It's such a short book encompassing so much time that anything that would be of interest to the general public gets glossed over. There's just not enough detail. Nick obviously led an interesting and full life and I feel like I got the bullet points and not much substance. Many passages just felt rushed. It would have served its subject better if the whole book would have been longer or if each section of his life was documented in a separate book. This story has potential but it needs more work.
March 29, 2013
A slight variation on my standard disclaimer applies to this review. The author contacted me directly requesting a review of her novel and provided it free of charge. Despite this generous consideration on her part I will provide my honest feedback.
Weighing in at three hours total reading time this book is really more of a novella. In its 212 pages it gives us an insight into the life of a simple immigrant carpenter as he makes his way to America to seek his fortune with a growing family. Schimpf's offering is written in a very simple and straightforward manner that is easily accessible and easily consumed at one sitting.
Unfortunately, this easy accessibility seems to come at a cost. The events portrayed lack depth and detail and one suffers a bit from reader's whiplash. Children appear in the family and we are forced to wonder about their ages for quite some time. Events which one might expect to be dramatic turn out to be without consequence and for the most part there is no real sense of drama. For a narrative covering such temporal and geographic distance the landscape seems rather flat.
Topically, this book reminds me strongly of "The Shoemaker's Wife." It too tells the story of a similar, though more dramatic immigrant journey, and its endearing quality is its lavish attention to details. Sadly, Nick's story is at the opposing end of the same spectrum. We are given far too few details and we're never allowed to be properly tantalized. Schimpf's protagonist seems taciturn and at times unlikable and one is not sure whether to cheer for him or merely accept what seems to be a fairly easy success.
In summary, "The Journey of a Lifetime" has at its heart a good story but it is merely a thumbnail sketch. It suffices for a family history told at the dinner table to children but does not stand well on its own as a novel intended for the more literate masses.
Weighing in at three hours total reading time this book is really more of a novella. In its 212 pages it gives us an insight into the life of a simple immigrant carpenter as he makes his way to America to seek his fortune with a growing family. Schimpf's offering is written in a very simple and straightforward manner that is easily accessible and easily consumed at one sitting.
Unfortunately, this easy accessibility seems to come at a cost. The events portrayed lack depth and detail and one suffers a bit from reader's whiplash. Children appear in the family and we are forced to wonder about their ages for quite some time. Events which one might expect to be dramatic turn out to be without consequence and for the most part there is no real sense of drama. For a narrative covering such temporal and geographic distance the landscape seems rather flat.
Topically, this book reminds me strongly of "The Shoemaker's Wife." It too tells the story of a similar, though more dramatic immigrant journey, and its endearing quality is its lavish attention to details. Sadly, Nick's story is at the opposing end of the same spectrum. We are given far too few details and we're never allowed to be properly tantalized. Schimpf's protagonist seems taciturn and at times unlikable and one is not sure whether to cheer for him or merely accept what seems to be a fairly easy success.
In summary, "The Journey of a Lifetime" has at its heart a good story but it is merely a thumbnail sketch. It suffices for a family history told at the dinner table to children but does not stand well on its own as a novel intended for the more literate masses.
November 8, 2012
This is not my typical read. However I did enjoy learning from the Author's husband's family stories how it really was in Europe during WWII.
This book highlights changing points in the lives of her husbands family, how Nick and Theresa came to marry after Theresa was supposed to go into an arranged marriage that her step father had set up. The hardships and moves that they had to make their journey through life and to keep their family together when the Partisan's attacked as well as Nicks stints in the army. Their growing family as well as keeping Nicks parents taken care of. In Europe they travel from one area to the next until finally they get a break and can come over seas to America the land of Opportunity. You can see how the family roles change over time in the decision making process of each move and each new opportunity handed to them as well as the hardships they endure. However, they are a close knit family and keep everyone together throughout.
A nice quick story about a family their hardships, opportunities, their happy times, and successes all rolled into one book. This book gives you a view from one families eyes of what happened during those times of war in Europe and how our America gave them the opportunity of a lifetime.
This book highlights changing points in the lives of her husbands family, how Nick and Theresa came to marry after Theresa was supposed to go into an arranged marriage that her step father had set up. The hardships and moves that they had to make their journey through life and to keep their family together when the Partisan's attacked as well as Nicks stints in the army. Their growing family as well as keeping Nicks parents taken care of. In Europe they travel from one area to the next until finally they get a break and can come over seas to America the land of Opportunity. You can see how the family roles change over time in the decision making process of each move and each new opportunity handed to them as well as the hardships they endure. However, they are a close knit family and keep everyone together throughout.
A nice quick story about a family their hardships, opportunities, their happy times, and successes all rolled into one book. This book gives you a view from one families eyes of what happened during those times of war in Europe and how our America gave them the opportunity of a lifetime.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews