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Kalyna
Swept up in a whirlwind courtship, Katja and Wasyl begin life anew in a Ukrainian settlement of Western Canada. The dusty Canadian prairies promise hope and independence, but when war breaks out between the old world and the new, their newfound stability is shattered. Rumours of the internment of Ukrainian-Canadians haunt the new settlers. Would the country they love betray them like this? An incident throws the couple and their young children into turmoil, and Katja faces the prospect of enduring a Canadian winter without Wasyl by her side. The close community of Edna-Star bands together during this trying time, but the help of the suave Dr. Smith holds it’s own danger. Is the family strong enough to weather the storm that they are up against?
304 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 18, 2022
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. I saw this book on Goodreads, and being of Ukrainian descent, I added it to my WTR list;
2. it was available for free on Hoopla; and,
3. July 2022 is my self-appointed "Canadian Authors Month"!
Praises:
1. this story gives a fair representation of Ukrainian immigrants in Canada, specifically in east-central Alberta, also known as Kalyna Country (named after the highbush cranberry plant). We get a taste of their journey, land claims, and sadly, the Ukrainian internment camps during WWI;
2. I learned the Ukrainian word for the temporary dugout huts these immigrants built upon making a land claim. My husband's paternal grandparents lived in a zemlianka while clearing land and building a more permanent dwelling; and,
3. although I was aware of internment camps set up across western Canada where "enemy aliens" (namely Ukrainian immigrants) were sent to do hard labor during WWI, I learned that one such camp was located near Banff, Alberta. Here, men were required to improve the National Park, build highways, and construct hotels and golf courses under very harsh conditions. I won't look at this Park the same way again!
Niggles:
1. what was the point of Dr. Edward Smith's character? If he was to create tension in this story, then his despicable actions felt too lighthearted and easily accepted, especially by MC Katja. I expected more darkness based on his behavior as he alarmed and annoyed me;
2. in reality, Ukrainian immigrant women worked their asses off! Besides living in internment camps, many husbands, especially in later years, left home for several months to make ends meet by working in mines, logging camps, etc., while their wives, (besides doing household chores, tending a large garden and raising children), were often expected to help break up the land for cultivating, planting and harvesting. The Dominion Lands Act required an improvement of 40 acres plus a permanent dwelling within three years or they would lose their land. In this story, I felt that Katja didn't pull her weight on their homestead. I would have liked to hear of her making butter and cheese, chopping wood, pulling weeds, plucking chickens, preserving garden produce and wild berries, breaking up stumps (among other things.) Instead, it seemed that she had a lighter workload than most women; and,
3. there were so many inaccuracies (and questions), leading me to wonder how much research did this author do, including:
- timelines (picking highbush cranberries in May? The leaves are barely on the trees at that time of year here in Alberta!
- colors (canary green and a brown Holstein?)
- Wasyl and Katja can understand and speak perfect English?
- various Ukrainian traditions and customs, including church liturgy procedures, weren't correct;
- this region is technically "parkland", not "prairie", so there would have been a lot of trees to clear for cultivated land;
-why didn't Kalyna (Katja's daughter) ask her Uncle Ivan about the internment camps when she was doing her research?
Overall Thoughts:
Although I did enjoy hearing and learning more about Ukrainian immigration in Alberta, I knew enough to feel that both Katja's time on the homestead and Wasyl's time in the internment camp seemed too easygoing for what actual immigrants would have experienced.
Recommendation?
If you enjoy a "feel good" historical fiction, then check this one out. Otherwise, if you prefer a more realistic (even darker) fictional look into Ukrainian immigration, then I highly recommend reading Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell which is based on true events.
1. I saw this book on Goodreads, and being of Ukrainian descent, I added it to my WTR list;
2. it was available for free on Hoopla; and,
3. July 2022 is my self-appointed "Canadian Authors Month"!
Praises:
1. this story gives a fair representation of Ukrainian immigrants in Canada, specifically in east-central Alberta, also known as Kalyna Country (named after the highbush cranberry plant). We get a taste of their journey, land claims, and sadly, the Ukrainian internment camps during WWI;
2. I learned the Ukrainian word for the temporary dugout huts these immigrants built upon making a land claim. My husband's paternal grandparents lived in a zemlianka while clearing land and building a more permanent dwelling; and,
3. although I was aware of internment camps set up across western Canada where "enemy aliens" (namely Ukrainian immigrants) were sent to do hard labor during WWI, I learned that one such camp was located near Banff, Alberta. Here, men were required to improve the National Park, build highways, and construct hotels and golf courses under very harsh conditions. I won't look at this Park the same way again!
Niggles:
1. what was the point of Dr. Edward Smith's character? If he was to create tension in this story, then his despicable actions felt too lighthearted and easily accepted, especially by MC Katja. I expected more darkness based on his behavior as he alarmed and annoyed me;
2. in reality, Ukrainian immigrant women worked their asses off! Besides living in internment camps, many husbands, especially in later years, left home for several months to make ends meet by working in mines, logging camps, etc., while their wives, (besides doing household chores, tending a large garden and raising children), were often expected to help break up the land for cultivating, planting and harvesting. The Dominion Lands Act required an improvement of 40 acres plus a permanent dwelling within three years or they would lose their land. In this story, I felt that Katja didn't pull her weight on their homestead. I would have liked to hear of her making butter and cheese, chopping wood, pulling weeds, plucking chickens, preserving garden produce and wild berries, breaking up stumps (among other things.) Instead, it seemed that she had a lighter workload than most women; and,
3. there were so many inaccuracies (and questions), leading me to wonder how much research did this author do, including:
- timelines (picking highbush cranberries in May? The leaves are barely on the trees at that time of year here in Alberta!
- colors (canary green and a brown Holstein?)
- Wasyl and Katja can understand and speak perfect English?
- various Ukrainian traditions and customs, including church liturgy procedures, weren't correct;
- this region is technically "parkland", not "prairie", so there would have been a lot of trees to clear for cultivated land;
-why didn't Kalyna (Katja's daughter) ask her Uncle Ivan about the internment camps when she was doing her research?
Overall Thoughts:
Although I did enjoy hearing and learning more about Ukrainian immigration in Alberta, I knew enough to feel that both Katja's time on the homestead and Wasyl's time in the internment camp seemed too easygoing for what actual immigrants would have experienced.
Recommendation?
If you enjoy a "feel good" historical fiction, then check this one out. Otherwise, if you prefer a more realistic (even darker) fictional look into Ukrainian immigration, then I highly recommend reading Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell which is based on true events.
February 18, 2021
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I love pioneer stories, and have always admired the Ukrainian immigrants to Alberta, who overcame prejudice, became very successful farmers, and left a significant mark on Alberta society and culture. This book, however, was mostly just a disappointment. It follows the story of newlyweds Wasyl and Katya, who immigrate from Ukraine to Alberta in about 1911. The main focus of the story is the internment of Ukrainian immigrants as enemy aliens during WWI, and that part is interesting. The rest is highly implausible and so full of errors that I don't even know where to begin. The characters in this story seem to magically have no language barrier in their new land. The author appears not to have researched the farming and nature that she wrote about at all...there were elk in full antler in May, dragon flies in late October, wild flowers in April that don't bloom until July, farming methods too modern for the time period, and a brown milk cow described as a Holstein. I was left wondering if the internment history was as poorly researched. The characters also did not react to traumatic situations in a believable way. I expected so much more, and I think it could have been so much more. This is not a self published book, so I am left wondering what the editor was thinking letting it be published in this state.
April 4, 2016
Kalyna is a powerful novel that transports the reader to a not-too-distant era, where your ethnicity could put your entire future into question. This fictional tale unearths a little-known part of Canadian history: the internment of Ukrainian-Canadians. With lyrical language and a depth of understanding into Ukrainian culture, Ms. Clark brings her readers into the world of of Katja and Wasyl, a young immigrant couple. Her vibrant voice - and those of her characters - make this heartbreaking story a stellar example of literary fiction. I enjoyed every moment of this book.
May 18, 2016
Wonderful immigrant story by a local Calgary author. Many unexpected twists and turns. A great read.
April 2, 2017
I wanted to love this book, Albertan, pioneering immigrant experience, unfortunately the subject was the best part.
The writing style was not descriptive or detail oriented enough for me. Journeying across the Atlantic should be visceral, likewise the train ride across our huge country, the toil needed to turn that sod the first time...
When she truly lost he was on page 65 when she said phone calls...yes they indeed could have had a phone - I checked 12 in 1888 so more by the novels setting but highly unlikely and not mentioned so casually.
The saving grace was the love and devotion shown in trying times.
The writing style was not descriptive or detail oriented enough for me. Journeying across the Atlantic should be visceral, likewise the train ride across our huge country, the toil needed to turn that sod the first time...
When she truly lost he was on page 65 when she said phone calls...yes they indeed could have had a phone - I checked 12 in 1888 so more by the novels setting but highly unlikely and not mentioned so casually.
The saving grace was the love and devotion shown in trying times.
September 7, 2018
I enjoyed the historical story aspect of this book. However at times I found the perfection of the main characters had me rolling my eyes. Also, I noticed a timeline discrepancy. In the second chapter while Wasyl and Katja are on their way to Canada in approx. 1913, it is written that Wasyl wants to sell his grain to the wheat board. I don't believe the wheat board existed until 1935. In 1912 there was a Board of Grain Commissioners but they were involved in grading only, not grain purchasing.
September 24, 2021
Contains historical inaccuracies and inaccuracies relating to Ukrainian folk customs that rural Ukrainians of this time period would have practiced. For instance, Wasyl would not have proposed marriage to Katja in the way described. Ukrainian folk custom has a different approach to proposals, not to mention that many marriages were arranged in peasant communities at the time when this novel is set.
Over-the-top and maudlin writing style.
Over-the-top and maudlin writing style.
Read
August 27, 2016Loved this first novel ..... If a book makes me want to explore further .... creates an emotional touch point ..... Then I'm a happy reader!
November 22, 2017
Only got to chapter 9. The writing is awful! Stilted, maudlin, trite.
July 29, 2017
This is one of the more interesting pioneer memoirs I have read, because it involves a specific group of Ukrainian immigrants to Alberta. (Kalyna is the Ukrainian word for high-bush cranberries, BTW). I loved the description of their journey to the new land, and their youthful enthusiasm. I would have liked to learn more about how they survived for those first few difficult years. However, the story took a darker turn when the young husband was interned as an enemy alien and the wife was left alone with two small children. During his absence she suffered a terrible trauma, the impact of which was not fully explored, in my opinion. Still, this was a worthwhile read that sheds new light on an unknown subject, the War Measures Act during World War One.
July 5, 2016
Clark stated in numerous interviews that this was a story ‘inside her’ for many years. It was enjoyable to finally see the story and her hard work coming out in print. The story is detailed and complex at times but it also emotional and enlightening. And yes, it is a story about settlers but it also a story about an injustice and how a group of hard-working people endured that injustice at enormous cost at times. A truly Canadian story and an honest one.
http://tinyurl.com/z29xf8v
http://tinyurl.com/z29xf8v
April 25, 2018
“Kalyna” is a well-told fictional account of first-generation Ukrainian settlers in western Canada, revealing a little-known chapter in Canadian history of the Ukrainian internment during WW1.
We are drawn into the story through the romantic meeting of the beautiful, intelligent Katja and the humble, courageous Wasyl in Ukraine before they set forth on a journey of hardship and hope across the Atlantic.
Pam Clark masterfully recreates the pioneer experience on the prairies as Katja and Wasyl establish their home and family near Edna-Star, Alberta.
When wartime approaches, Ukrainian-Canadians become suspected enemies of the state as their previous homelands are under the control of Austria-Hungary which is at war with Russia. Russia is England’s, and thus, Canada’s ally. They are forced to register and check in with authorities and required to carry identity papers, not unlike the Jews during the Holocaust.
Wasyl is detained by government authorities and without his papers on his person to prove he is a Canadian settler, immediately sent off to a work camp in Banff National Park, one of several such camps across the country.
The story is one of love, loyalty, loss, strength and ultimately redemption as the repercussions of this unjust imprisonment weaves it’s way into the fabric of future generations.
As a fourth generation, almost 50 year old Ukrainian-Canadian, I only recently learned that Ukrainian prisoners of war were largely responsible for building the structural bones of Banff, a place I’ve loved my entire life having visited many times as a child born in Edmonton and growing up near Calgary, Alberta.
How could it be that I never knew this important part of Canadian history until now? Moreover, the fact that Ukrainian-Canadians were taken from their land and families to forced labor camps during WW1, much like the Japanese during WW2?
Alongside this, why isn’t there more effort to educate about the Holodomor or Ukrainian genocide where up to 10 million Ukrainians perished under a Russian government-induced famine?
These unanswered questions demand to be addressed in the Canadian primary and secondary school curriculum.
Clark creates awareness of a common Ukrainian-Canadian cultural habit of not bringing up the past, perhaps out of fear such injustices will continue to tarnish our lives. Yet, the injustice of living as though these events never happened or not knowing they occurred must be far greater?
Sadly, my ancestors, who like the Federchuk family in “Kalyna” settled outside of Edmonton and lived through this dark period of Canadian history, never told their stories. Hence, my only way of getting a glimpse into what their lives must have been like is through this novel and actively researching other sources.
Thank you Pam Clark for writing this novel - thereby making the stories you were told by your Baba available to current and future generations. An untold history that demands telling again and again. Well-done.
We are drawn into the story through the romantic meeting of the beautiful, intelligent Katja and the humble, courageous Wasyl in Ukraine before they set forth on a journey of hardship and hope across the Atlantic.
Pam Clark masterfully recreates the pioneer experience on the prairies as Katja and Wasyl establish their home and family near Edna-Star, Alberta.
When wartime approaches, Ukrainian-Canadians become suspected enemies of the state as their previous homelands are under the control of Austria-Hungary which is at war with Russia. Russia is England’s, and thus, Canada’s ally. They are forced to register and check in with authorities and required to carry identity papers, not unlike the Jews during the Holocaust.
Wasyl is detained by government authorities and without his papers on his person to prove he is a Canadian settler, immediately sent off to a work camp in Banff National Park, one of several such camps across the country.
The story is one of love, loyalty, loss, strength and ultimately redemption as the repercussions of this unjust imprisonment weaves it’s way into the fabric of future generations.
As a fourth generation, almost 50 year old Ukrainian-Canadian, I only recently learned that Ukrainian prisoners of war were largely responsible for building the structural bones of Banff, a place I’ve loved my entire life having visited many times as a child born in Edmonton and growing up near Calgary, Alberta.
How could it be that I never knew this important part of Canadian history until now? Moreover, the fact that Ukrainian-Canadians were taken from their land and families to forced labor camps during WW1, much like the Japanese during WW2?
Alongside this, why isn’t there more effort to educate about the Holodomor or Ukrainian genocide where up to 10 million Ukrainians perished under a Russian government-induced famine?
These unanswered questions demand to be addressed in the Canadian primary and secondary school curriculum.
Clark creates awareness of a common Ukrainian-Canadian cultural habit of not bringing up the past, perhaps out of fear such injustices will continue to tarnish our lives. Yet, the injustice of living as though these events never happened or not knowing they occurred must be far greater?
Sadly, my ancestors, who like the Federchuk family in “Kalyna” settled outside of Edmonton and lived through this dark period of Canadian history, never told their stories. Hence, my only way of getting a glimpse into what their lives must have been like is through this novel and actively researching other sources.
Thank you Pam Clark for writing this novel - thereby making the stories you were told by your Baba available to current and future generations. An untold history that demands telling again and again. Well-done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2019
Lightly informative of a subject I knew nothing about...the Ukrainians [and others such as Poles deemed to be friendly to Austro-Hungarian empire not Russia who was a British Ally] being declared enemy aliens and having to carry identity cards and if caught without, or any infractions, being put into labour camps. These men were kept in bad accommodations and did free labour such as building the road into Lake Minnewanka and many other big work projects in Banff National Park. Other camps were across the country also. Much has been written about the Japanese in Canada and USA being moved away from the coast, but even though Harper Government apologized, it didn't make a dent in my awareness as I wasn't aware of the original victimization. This was certainly a light easy read.
October 3, 2016
The story of Katja and Wasyl, young Ukrainian immigrants who settle in Western Canada on the eve of WWI , brings to life little-known aspects of Canadian history. The story is tender, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
October 4, 2016
Excellent!
February 27, 2019
What a raw, eloquent and unsettling story of endurance and hope.
This story personalized what has only ever been a side note in the history books I recall from school. Following the transformation of a delightfully fresh Ukrainian couple as they immigrate to Canada, and detailing early farming settlements in Alberta, this story personalizes how internment camps affected so many Canadians. It highlighted beautifully the steadfastness, strength, compassion, and sheer will of early settlers in the area, and the power of forgiveness, whether in asking or receiving it. A fascinating, humbling, wonderful read. Heartily recommend.
This story personalized what has only ever been a side note in the history books I recall from school. Following the transformation of a delightfully fresh Ukrainian couple as they immigrate to Canada, and detailing early farming settlements in Alberta, this story personalizes how internment camps affected so many Canadians. It highlighted beautifully the steadfastness, strength, compassion, and sheer will of early settlers in the area, and the power of forgiveness, whether in asking or receiving it. A fascinating, humbling, wonderful read. Heartily recommend.
Read
January 11, 2023I enjoyed this book very much. Every time I drive along the roads to Lake Louise, I think of all of the Ukrainians that built them. With poor or non-existent tools and bad working conditions. Kalyna brought to life for me the reality of the Castle Internment Camp in Banff Park. I enjoyed the characters; the activities of Mr. Smith surprised me but I know things like that occurred, people taking advantage of immigrants. Fortunately, the fictional community of Star held together through the challenges. Well done!
December 26, 2023
A seldom discussed piece of Canadian history. Not one of our prouder moments. The story starts with vivid descriptions of Ukrainian emigration in the early 1900s. It then provides more compelling pictures of what life was like for new immigrants to Canada, especially those with limited means. If you have ever wondered how new Canadians coped with the harsh Canadian prairies, this book answers those questions in detail. The internment of Ukrainian Canadians during the Great War only lasted a few years, but the story tells of how it affected the people for decades. A compelling story.
March 15, 2018
Compelling story of a little known piece of Canadian history. Echoes of every immigrant story of forging family and community in the new country
April 28, 2023
A moving story of the Ukrainian Canadian internment at Castle Mountain in Alberta, Canada.
Some say cries can still be heard from the present-day location of Alberta’s former internment camp at the base of Castle Mountain, even though it’s long gone now.
There’s an interactive internment center at the Cave and Basin area in Banff, located at the former winter site of this internment camp. A commemorative plaque states the facts in plain lettering for all to see. It reads:
“During Canada’s first national internment operation during World War One, thousands of immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the majority of Ukrainian origin, some citizens of Canada, were imprisoned as ‘enemy aliens.' This forced imprisonment lasted from 1914 to 1920.”
Alberta author, Pamela Clark, says that a passionate quotation from Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech was her guide in writing her first novel, “Kalyna”. He said: "Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” These are the words that inspired her understanding of this part of our collective history.
“Kalyna” is a compelling story of an enthusiastic Ukrainian immigrant couple, Katja and Wasyl Federchuk, who begin their new life in ‘Kanada,’ close to the Edna Star Ukrainian settlement, now called Star, Alberta. We learn of their deeply rooted love and commitment, not only to each other but to their community and their new world.
Even though this hard-working farmer, Wasyl, is a credentialed immigrant with all his proper papers, he didn’t happen to have them with him one day in 1917 when he was stopped on the road by Canadian authorities and banished to the forced labor camp. His devoted Katja was left behind to face a second dramatic and traumatic betrayal.
Katya is a strong female voice. Her firm belief in the power of a community that works together, despite the cruel realities she faces, and her deeply held values of forgiveness and hope help forge the strong leader she becomes.
Katya emerges as much an activist in her community as does Wasyl in his. Unjustly torn from his family and farm, this great man comforts and supports his fellow inmates of forced labor in Alberta. He becomes a leader to a group of prisoners who built our Canadian roads through Alberta mountain country.
Prepare to admire the final wisdom in this moving read that unearths a little-known part of Canadian history, the internment of Ukrainian-Canadians during World War One.
But this story accomplishes even more. The remarkable and astonishing ending of this well-paced and insightful tale traced a path straight to my heart.
Some say cries can still be heard from the present-day location of Alberta’s former internment camp at the base of Castle Mountain, even though it’s long gone now.
There’s an interactive internment center at the Cave and Basin area in Banff, located at the former winter site of this internment camp. A commemorative plaque states the facts in plain lettering for all to see. It reads:
“During Canada’s first national internment operation during World War One, thousands of immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the majority of Ukrainian origin, some citizens of Canada, were imprisoned as ‘enemy aliens.' This forced imprisonment lasted from 1914 to 1920.”
Alberta author, Pamela Clark, says that a passionate quotation from Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech was her guide in writing her first novel, “Kalyna”. He said: "Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” These are the words that inspired her understanding of this part of our collective history.
“Kalyna” is a compelling story of an enthusiastic Ukrainian immigrant couple, Katja and Wasyl Federchuk, who begin their new life in ‘Kanada,’ close to the Edna Star Ukrainian settlement, now called Star, Alberta. We learn of their deeply rooted love and commitment, not only to each other but to their community and their new world.
Even though this hard-working farmer, Wasyl, is a credentialed immigrant with all his proper papers, he didn’t happen to have them with him one day in 1917 when he was stopped on the road by Canadian authorities and banished to the forced labor camp. His devoted Katja was left behind to face a second dramatic and traumatic betrayal.
Katya is a strong female voice. Her firm belief in the power of a community that works together, despite the cruel realities she faces, and her deeply held values of forgiveness and hope help forge the strong leader she becomes.
Katya emerges as much an activist in her community as does Wasyl in his. Unjustly torn from his family and farm, this great man comforts and supports his fellow inmates of forced labor in Alberta. He becomes a leader to a group of prisoners who built our Canadian roads through Alberta mountain country.
Prepare to admire the final wisdom in this moving read that unearths a little-known part of Canadian history, the internment of Ukrainian-Canadians during World War One.
But this story accomplishes even more. The remarkable and astonishing ending of this well-paced and insightful tale traced a path straight to my heart.
November 20, 2016
Absolutely loved it! Informative and beautifully written. Will further my research on this subject.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews