A Place for Us: Eleni's Children in America

by Nicholas Gage

The follow-up to "Eleni," the story of a Greek mother who sacrifices her life to save her children's, recounts the children's journey to America to live with their unfamiliar father

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Greece, History, Biography Memoir, The United States Of America

419 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1989

About the author

Nicholas Gage (born Nikolaos Gatzoyiannis; Greek: Νίκος Γκατζογιάννης) is a Greek-American author and investigative journalist.
Gage started out as an investigative reporter for the New York Times, and later wrote for the Wall Street Journal. His experiences as a reporter were the basis for the television show “The Andros Targets”.
He is most famous for two autobiographical memoirs, the best-selling Eleni (translated into 32 languages, and adapted into film) and A Place for Us.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful memoir about a boy who immigrates to the US from Greece in 1949. It gets a little slower towards the end, but overall full of humor, drama, and wonderful descriptions of life and family.

It appears that this book was also published under a slightly different title: A Place for Us: A Greek Immigrant Boy's Odyssey to a New Country and an Unknown Father

[Linda FK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Place for us is the sequel to the book Eleni, which I read twice when it came out in the 1980s. In this one, there’s a scene that ends the story in July of 1983 which is exactly when I was experiencing Epirus, Greece for the first time as a newly married non-Greek Nifi. The book has so much meaning for me and I’m not sure why it took me so long to read it (written in 1989). During that time, I was trying to make sense of the area while overcoming my own culture shock and adjusting to marriage. In A Place for Us, the culture and history of Northern Epirus is interspersed throughout the tale of Gage’s experience as a nine-year-old refugee in the United States. His immigrant experience is peppered with such sadness but also with hilarious laugh-out-loud mishaps. Gage also tells of his father’s immigrant experience in the U.S., which has so many similarities to many of the Greek immigrants of the 1980s with whom I worked in diners and restaurants. I absolutely love this book but I honestly don’t know if it’s because of my own Greek connection, though I don’t think so. I heartily recommend reading, Eleni first. However A Place for Us can stand independently as its own book. In any event, this is a story for those readers who enjoy reading about history, culture and relationships.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I enjoyed Gage’s previous book, Eleni so much, I started this one with high expectations. Perhaps too high. Eleni. the story of his search for his mother’s killers, was full of suspense and high drama. A Place for Us is not.

I want to draw a comparison here between these two books, and the two books by Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes and 'Tis. Ashes held me spellbound, with its drama of travail. …. was interesting, but lacked the excitement generated in the early book.

It’s the same with these two books. After the heady broth of Eleni, A Place for Us is kind of bland. Maybe the journey is always more interesting than the arrival

Interesting, but not a page turner. Another story of an immigrant learning to adapt to America. We’ve had so many. This one does not stand out in the crowd. It certainly made me understand the dynamics of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Its deepest moments, however, come from Gage’s struggle to live within two identities.

[Gregoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Where to start? This book is the closest I have come to reading an account of my parents' immigration experience and the trials and challenges of a Greek immigrant family. Thankfully, my family story isn't as traumatic and sad as the one detailed in this book, but so much of what is described in the book - the poverty and devestation in Greece after WWII, the Greek Civil War - these are all things I had heard about in the family stories.

Nicholas Gage really does capture the ethos of a Greek immigrant family that has been transplanted from a conservative, poor village and dropped into the America of the 50s and 60s. Though I am considerably younger than the people in this book, I can completely identify with the experiences.

I can't wait to get a hold of the first book, Eleni.

[Donna Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to Eleni. I always wanted to know what happened when they reached America. This didn't disappoint. Beautifully details the cultural changes of the kids, their relationship with their dad (who despite being American is really fully Greek) and dealing with their feelings about the death of their mom amongst all the other changes. Read Eleni first though.

[Becki Basley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always wondered what happened to Eleni's children after they came to America and how they adjusted to living with their father and life in America. I'm glad Mr. Gage wrote this book bringing us into his world during this time in his family history. It was everything it promised it would be and more. I was very happy for all his family's accomplishments. They all worked so hard to get them.
My next project is to track down his daughter's book but I would like for him to write a third one on his life today. It would be interesting now that he is older to see how his point of view has changed. Does anyone know if he has a blog?

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a companionship book to Eleni. Both of them are excellent. In this book Nicholas gets to know his father, a new country and works to reconcile his relationship with both. I liked that he takes us through his formative years and also manages to help us see his father and his family in an ever increasing understanding as he ages and comes to new realizations himself. I think both books are a fitting tribute to both of his parents, their sacrifices and the importance of family. I feel like Nicholas demonstrates the characteristics of a great storyteller with honesty and self reflection keeping it grounded. Great book.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written book about Nicholas Gatzoyiannis , and his four sisters making a life for themselves in the USA, with the father they have never met , Christos. This after the brutal murder of their mother by vicious Communist terrorists.
It is a journey of discovery , of America in the 1950's , 60's and 70's and about Nick's growth and reconciliation with his father. It covers his near descent into being a petty teenaged hood , and his rise to being an award winning journalist and author.
It also focuses on Nick's sisters and their marriages.
Lots of colour and humour in a delightful and gentle real life account.

[Peggy Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book mainly because of the main setting—Worcester, MA. Scott & I spent the night there on May 19, 2023, as we began our trip to NE. Scott’s Nystrom grandparents lived there so we looked up the 2 tenement homes they owned. The Oliver Walker family lived in the southern suburb of Whitinsville but visited the grandparents in Worcester often.

The history behind this story (Greek civil war) was interesting and brought to life the atrocities that continue(d) in our world after WWII.

I’ll be sending my copy of the book to Uncle Kenny now. I’m sure he’ll recognize a lot of the street names and landmarks in Worcester!

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who also grew up in the Greendale area of Worcester, MA this was a fantastic read. I loved learning about how the city has changed and how it hasn't since the 50's and 60's. I also had Greek friends that lived next to Elm park and our Costa runs the best pizza joint in Worcester nowadays at Brattle Stop pizza just a couple houses down from where I grew up. The story of their mother is clearly the bigger story if you will and this can be a slow read a times. I still really enjoyed this, and Nick Gage is a wonderful writer.

[North Landesman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised this book was as good as it was. Many people told me it "wasn't as good as Eleni." I would argue they are different stories and the two can't be compared. Yes, it isn't action-packed, and yes, it covers some of the same ground. Still, if the first book is about Nikola's mother, the second is about his relationship with his father. The emotion, detail, and humor are remarkable. It is nice to read a book about a man that expresses his emotions, and can change over time.

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a sequel to his biography of his other (Eleni), Nicholas Gage continues the story of his family from 1949 to 1983, beginning when he came to America as a nine year old boy and met his father for the first time, until his father's death.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fabulous "local" nonfiction story. I am so glad Nicholas Gage told his immigrant story. Could apply in today's world! You will love this book, especially, if you are from Worcester!

[Shelby Arnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging, but not written in the most captivating way. The moral of some of the characters was rather offensive as well.

[Nelle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real insight into Greek civil war and terrible times for the people.

[NonFiction 24/7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, a real page turner. No matter who you are you can relate to this book.

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy follow on to "Eleni". Her children find their feet in their adopted country with their father, never forgetting their mother's sacrifice to make this happen.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Eleni many years ago, it was sad and It’s still a book I remember well. It was good to hear what happened to Nicholas and his sisters.

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of Eleni that gives you a look into the life of immigrants.

[LeeAnne Spokis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about a family's immigration to America and ther life's challenges and successes.

[Vivian Parras · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, having grown up in the states of Greek immigrant parents a lot of Gage's experiences growing up Greek hit home. It brought back a lot of memories.

[Trish Kallis · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews: www.turningpageswithtrish.com

A Place For Us by Nicholas Gage is the sequel to the autobiography Eleni. Gage continues where he left off in his previous book, beginning with Eleni’s children’s arrival to America and their unification with their father, Christos. Christos has never met his son since he was born right before World War II and, he hasn’t seen his daughters in many years, so this is an emotional meeting for the family. Although this is a joyful moment, it is also filled with sadness as the family feels the immense void that exists without Eleni. Nicholas, although excited to finally meet his father, feels anger and resentment towards his father. Nicholas doesn’t understand why Christos did not bring his family to America sooner; if he had, Eleni would still be alive today. This theme of anger and resentment is shown throughout most of the book regarding Christos and Nicholas’s relationship. As well, the reality of who his father is, something he has been dreaming about for many years, is a bit disappointing. Christos is a Greek immigrant who is desperately trying to make a name for himself in America. He has taken on some business venters, which have not worked out as well as he had hoped, and he isn’t living the glamourous American life Nicholas always imagined. Nicholas begins to feel embarrassed by Christos. This is an interesting moment in the book, a moment I think many children of immigrants could at one point relate to. Young children don’t understand the struggles of immigrating to a new country and creating a good life for one’s family, they only see what they don’t have, and other kids do have, which could lead to feelings of embarrassment. A Place For Us continues through Nicholas’s childhood and into his adult life; he includes stories about what happens to his sisters and how they all make America their home.

I was very intrigued by this story, the story of a Greek family immigrating to America. My family immigrated to Canada from Greece, and I felt by reading this book, I got a glimpse into my grandparents’ immigration story. I think it gave me a better understanding of the difficulties they experienced. For this reason, I really enjoyed reading this biography. Like in his first book, Eleni, Gage writes about his story with so much detail that you often forget that it isn’t a work of fiction. If you like memoir’s or reading about immigration stories, this would be an excellent book for you!

For more reviews: www.turningpageswithtrish.com

[Debbie Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heart-warming sequel to the book, Eleni. Gage started when he and his sisters came to America after their mother was murdered by communists who had taken over their small town in Greece. It was interesting to see how eight year old Gage adapted to the american culture and still clung to his Greek heritage. He lived with his father who he had never met but had always blamed for his mother's death. Gage's father lived in the US and left his family behind in Greece, sending them money. The tension between father and son was high during his teenage years. I feel like I know this family after two books about their trials both in Greece and in America.

[Racquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes place after the second World War. Greece is going through a civil war from 1945 to 1949. Nicholas' mother is brutally murdered and he along with his four sisters are forced to immigrate to America to be with their father, who had moved there years before. The book is both hilarious and heartfelt. On one hand you are laughing because the children don't speak any English and have to adapt to new cultures, but on the other hand you can't help but feel bad for this family who lost their mother. I loved every minute of this book.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written memoir, from an author who has the abiity to write about his great accomplishments and his human failings. In both "Eleni" and this book Nicholas Gage has educated me is what it means to be Greek and to be from a Greek heritage. He has helped explain why my parents and grandparents said and did certain things, and how the centuries of Greek suffering still inhabit my psyche. His work helped inform the research I'm currently doing in writing my novel. And his love for his parents and family are inspiring.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a nine year old Greek immigrant myself, six years after Mr. Gage, I related to many of his experiences in this book. However, his first book, Eleni, has haunted me since I read it in the early 1990s. My oldest brother was also killed by the Communist Guerrillas about the same time as Eleni. The images of the torture she endured and eventual death at the hands of her fellow countrymen for having saved her children will forever stay with me. Finally reading the story of what happened to her children, has given me a sense of peace that she didn’t die in vain.

[Janet Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect follow up book to Eleni. This is "the rest of the story" of what happens to Eleni's children, after they leave Greece, and go to America to live with their almost unknown father. It is so well written, and creates many memorable scenes from Nick's growing up years, and his success as he begins his career in journalism, and eventually comes full circle back to Greece to research the tragic death of his mother. I liked this book better that Eleni.

[Alicia]

This is only the second memoir I've ever read. I started this book two years ago, and still haven't, but not because it isn't good. It's really a very good book. It might help to know the history of the war that fractured the author's family, but my not knowing it takes nothing from the reading experience. It shouldn't for anyone else; either

[Francie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an excellent glimpse into the life and culture of a Greek immigrant family. The author clearly loves his family and shares openly the experiences of their lives. I was also impressed by his accomplishments in life, after coming to the US as a 9 year old who didn't even speak English.

[D Dina Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book chronicling a family that immigrated from Greece to Worcester, MA in the 1930s. I learned a lot about Greek history, culture and customs and was quite caught up in this family's physical and emotional journey in adopting to a new homeland.