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Catherine's Dream: A Story of Spirit and Courage
Inspired by real events, Roxanne Bocyck’s debut novel Catherine’s Dream is a testament to the power and possibility of nurturing one’s dreams against all odds and overcoming fear and doubt with faith and determination.
Catherine Soból is a Polish peasant woman in the early 1900s, who lives on an orchard outside of Kraków, Poland, and dreams of being an artist. Raised by an iron fist, Catherine is an old-world girl with new world aspirations. But how will she pursue her dreams of artistry when she must conceal her drawings from her father, a pragmatic peasant-farmer, who demands she work to support the family? In fact, much to Catherine’s dismay, he plans to marry her to a local village boy and settle into a life of security on the small apple orchard that is her dowry.
Over and above her personal turmoil, the Great War has ended but the fighting over Poland’s border with Ukraine continues. Tension rises in Catherine’s family when she falls in love with Józef, a young, local blacksmith who creates beautiful jewelry and encourages her to follow her heart despite her family’s resistance to her artistic dreams. But the plans others force upon her, along with Józef’s disappearance - and probable death - on the war front, send her life skidding in a direction she must now tolerate but is unable live wholeheartedly.
Sold as a “bride” to a crude lout of a man and shipped off to a mountain town in backwoods America, Catherine faces the cold winds of bad chance and other forces that seek to control her destiny, and learns that knowing what she wants, taking risks, and having faith are the keys to unlocking any obstacle that stands in the way of her living the life of her dreams.
Catherine Soból is a Polish peasant woman in the early 1900s, who lives on an orchard outside of Kraków, Poland, and dreams of being an artist. Raised by an iron fist, Catherine is an old-world girl with new world aspirations. But how will she pursue her dreams of artistry when she must conceal her drawings from her father, a pragmatic peasant-farmer, who demands she work to support the family? In fact, much to Catherine’s dismay, he plans to marry her to a local village boy and settle into a life of security on the small apple orchard that is her dowry.
Over and above her personal turmoil, the Great War has ended but the fighting over Poland’s border with Ukraine continues. Tension rises in Catherine’s family when she falls in love with Józef, a young, local blacksmith who creates beautiful jewelry and encourages her to follow her heart despite her family’s resistance to her artistic dreams. But the plans others force upon her, along with Józef’s disappearance - and probable death - on the war front, send her life skidding in a direction she must now tolerate but is unable live wholeheartedly.
Sold as a “bride” to a crude lout of a man and shipped off to a mountain town in backwoods America, Catherine faces the cold winds of bad chance and other forces that seek to control her destiny, and learns that knowing what she wants, taking risks, and having faith are the keys to unlocking any obstacle that stands in the way of her living the life of her dreams.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2024
3 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne Bocyck
1 book4 followersRoxanne Bocyck began her writing career by writing feature stories for two weekly newspapers in her hometown of Phoenix, NY. At age 44, she attended Syracuse University as a non-traditional college student, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in writing and communications, while working and raising a family. She chronicled her experience as an adult returning to school in a blog and was featured in Syracuse University’s ad campaign for part-time studies. Roxanne was an honoree of SU’s Writer’s Distinction Program, and her professor, Steve Parks, featured her story A Capitalist Fairy Tale in the book Pro(se)letariets by Parlor Press. Her poetry also appears in Working: An Anthology of Writing and Photography, published by Syracuse University Press. Roxanne is a teacher at heart. She is passionate about helping women overcome fear and doubt to pursue their dreams. She wrote the book: Catherine’s Dream: A Story of Spirit and Courage to encourage everyone to nurture their own dreams and to never give up.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 4, 2023
If you're a reader who appreciates encouragement to follow your dreams, especially in the arts, this is a very nice and inspiring story. A debut novel, I'm looking forward to reading more by Ms. Bocyck.
January 2, 2024
I just finished Catherine’s Dream and all I can say is “WOW!”
I’m still in tears from the ending. It was THAT emotional. I’ve actually been emotional throughout the whole book as I’ve battled anger, frustration, sadness, excitement, and joy. So many ups and downs, and twists and turns of events.
My heart wasn’t sure if I could take some of it because the way Catherine was treated by her husband triggered my own past. But ultimately, I knew I had to keep reading. The book wouldn’t let me go!
Roxanne, you are a very gifted writer. You tugged at my heartstrings while inviting me into the story as though I was right there, living the characters’ lives with them. Such an amazingly powerful book. Well done!
I’m still in tears from the ending. It was THAT emotional. I’ve actually been emotional throughout the whole book as I’ve battled anger, frustration, sadness, excitement, and joy. So many ups and downs, and twists and turns of events.
My heart wasn’t sure if I could take some of it because the way Catherine was treated by her husband triggered my own past. But ultimately, I knew I had to keep reading. The book wouldn’t let me go!
Roxanne, you are a very gifted writer. You tugged at my heartstrings while inviting me into the story as though I was right there, living the characters’ lives with them. Such an amazingly powerful book. Well done!
May 10, 2025
I read this for library book club, and the author came to the discussion! The author was a fantastic person who brought relevant historical records and made the story came alive. The book itself told an interesting story, but I found the (probably historically accurate) Anti-Semitism off putting.
November 6, 2025
After reading Catherine's Dream by Roxanne Bocyck I had to step away. I needed to take a breath and just sit. Knowing Catherine's Dream is inspired by real events and knowing that the author's grandmother, Catherine, is the main character in this story really moves you.
When you start reading Catherine's Dream you are with Catherine as a young girl living with her parents and brothers in Poland. She works on the family orchard, does chores, helps her mother as well as work for her uncle doing bookkeeping for his business. When Catherine has a moment to herself, which isn't often, she will draw. Her dream is to be an artist but she has to draw in private and hide her drawings from her father and uncle who think it's a waste of her time.
Then she mets Jozef, a blacksmith across from her uncle's office. The two share the same dream, to get away and create art. They also develop feelings for each other but have to hide their relationship. Unfortunately Jozef is recruited to go to fight in the war and Catherine's father makes arrangements to send her to America to be with her brother and to also marry an American.
Catherine tries to think positively about moving to America and marrying Leonek and at first, it isn't horrible until Leonek shows his true colors ..... there comes a time in the book that you will be unable to stop reading. And when you realize Catherine actually went through what you are reading, it just makes you read faster, if that is possible.
Author Roxanne Bocyck writes a gripping story and portrays her grandmother amazingly. She makes you want to meet Catherine and give her a huge hug. I can only imagine the strength Catherine had as well as Roxanne for writing her story.
When you start reading Catherine's Dream you are with Catherine as a young girl living with her parents and brothers in Poland. She works on the family orchard, does chores, helps her mother as well as work for her uncle doing bookkeeping for his business. When Catherine has a moment to herself, which isn't often, she will draw. Her dream is to be an artist but she has to draw in private and hide her drawings from her father and uncle who think it's a waste of her time.
Then she mets Jozef, a blacksmith across from her uncle's office. The two share the same dream, to get away and create art. They also develop feelings for each other but have to hide their relationship. Unfortunately Jozef is recruited to go to fight in the war and Catherine's father makes arrangements to send her to America to be with her brother and to also marry an American.
Catherine tries to think positively about moving to America and marrying Leonek and at first, it isn't horrible until Leonek shows his true colors ..... there comes a time in the book that you will be unable to stop reading. And when you realize Catherine actually went through what you are reading, it just makes you read faster, if that is possible.
Author Roxanne Bocyck writes a gripping story and portrays her grandmother amazingly. She makes you want to meet Catherine and give her a huge hug. I can only imagine the strength Catherine had as well as Roxanne for writing her story.
November 16, 2025
Catherine dreams of art school while working as an accounting clerk for her Uncle Marcin. When she meets handsome Josef, an aspiring jewelry maker working in his father's blacksmith shop it's love at first sight. Unfortunately they become star-crossed lovers as war rages in Poland. After her mom's death and her father remarried, she jumps at the chance to escape when her brothers arrange for herto live in America. However there's a catch. After learning Josef's capture as a prisoner of war and feared dead, her excitement is short-live as she's forced into an arranged marriage.
I found several parts of the book disturbing. Lots of negativity and stereotyping of women. Since Catherine's life was controlled by the men in her life, her dreams were put on hold several times. Her husband beat her. Illegal crimes and harsh boarding house jobs made men superior. Dangerous working conditions, fights, squalor and jealous brought out the worst in city life. At least her dream came true. The author visited my library's book club and shared some family memento which inspired her to write the book. I commend Catherine's strength to make her dream come true despite the cruel fate dealt to her by fate.
I found several parts of the book disturbing. Lots of negativity and stereotyping of women. Since Catherine's life was controlled by the men in her life, her dreams were put on hold several times. Her husband beat her. Illegal crimes and harsh boarding house jobs made men superior. Dangerous working conditions, fights, squalor and jealous brought out the worst in city life. At least her dream came true. The author visited my library's book club and shared some family memento which inspired her to write the book. I commend Catherine's strength to make her dream come true despite the cruel fate dealt to her by fate.
November 20, 2025
Roxanne Bocyck brings early 1900s Poland to life with vivid descriptions of orchards outside Krakow, the hardships of peasant life, and the cultural tensions of a country caught between wars. I loved learning from the historical setting. It felt like I was getting a history lesson wrapped inside a beautifully told story.
Catherine’s journey from a young woman hiding her art from a domineering father to a brave soul facing the unknown in America is both heartbreaking and inspiring. I found myself completely invested in her dream and often pausing to reflect on the incredible strength it took for so many immigrants, especially women, to carve out new lives in a strange land under such difficult circumstances.
The emotional depth of Catherine’s personal struggles, set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in Polish and world history, is a testament to Bocyck’s storytelling ability. Catherine’s Dream is historical fiction at its best.
Catherine’s journey from a young woman hiding her art from a domineering father to a brave soul facing the unknown in America is both heartbreaking and inspiring. I found myself completely invested in her dream and often pausing to reflect on the incredible strength it took for so many immigrants, especially women, to carve out new lives in a strange land under such difficult circumstances.
The emotional depth of Catherine’s personal struggles, set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in Polish and world history, is a testament to Bocyck’s storytelling ability. Catherine’s Dream is historical fiction at its best.
July 13, 2025
This book pulled me in from the very first page and kept me captivated until the end. The descriptive writing is absolutely stunning—every scene felt vivid and alive, immersing me completely in Catherine’s world.
The main character, Catherine, quickly became real to me. Her journey was relatable and deeply moving, and I found myself rooting for her at every turn. Bocyck has a gift for creating characters that feel authentic, with emotions and struggles that resonate.
What I loved most was the balance between the lyrical prose and the engaging plot. This story was both beautifully written and emotionally gripping!
If you enjoy stories with richly drawn characters and evocative storytelling, this is a book you won’t want to miss. Roxanne Bocyck has crafted something truly special here. Highly recommended!
The main character, Catherine, quickly became real to me. Her journey was relatable and deeply moving, and I found myself rooting for her at every turn. Bocyck has a gift for creating characters that feel authentic, with emotions and struggles that resonate.
What I loved most was the balance between the lyrical prose and the engaging plot. This story was both beautifully written and emotionally gripping!
If you enjoy stories with richly drawn characters and evocative storytelling, this is a book you won’t want to miss. Roxanne Bocyck has crafted something truly special here. Highly recommended!
December 11, 2025
If you enjoy reading about other cultures and/or reading historical fiction, you will love Catherine’s Dream. Set in Poland and the US during that uneasy time between WWI and WWII, the author explores and expands on her grandmother’s stories and letters treasured by her family. If you want to encourage the women in your family to have the courage and strength to pursue their dreams, pass Catherine’s Dream on to them! Bocyck has obviously done her research and it shows in her attention to detail. A good, solid first novel!
May 31, 2024
A fantastic historical rendering of a young women’s incredible journey from a frustrating life in post-Great War Poland to a trying existence as an immigrant in America. The author, Roxanne Bocyck, has crafted this tale with a sensitivity that despite everything seemingly being stacked against her protagonist, the element of hope always shines through.
David Trawinski
Polish American Journal
Book Reviewer
David Trawinski
Polish American Journal
Book Reviewer
April 30, 2025
This is a truly well-crafted and fascinating book. It tells the story of a young woman from Poland who, through an arranged marriage, and forced to leave (or does she?) her dreams of love and artistic fulfillment, comes to the United States and ends up in a small town in the Adirondacks. But that's just the skeleton of a beautifully fleshed-out tale of romance, courage, three-dimensional characters, loss, and determination.
May 1, 2025
An excellent combination of actual historical places and events with excellent character development. A great story set in interesting times showcasing differing cultures.
December 29, 2024
Couldn’t put it down!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I am hoping the author writes a sequel telling us more about the life Catherine has begun in the United States.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I am hoping the author writes a sequel telling us more about the life Catherine has begun in the United States.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews