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On the Shore
Sam is sixteen and an American Jew, and he lies about his age to fight in WWI.
Set in 1917–1925, On the Shore follows the upheaval in an immigrant Jewish family when, without telling his family, 16-year-old Shmuel Levinson (a.k.a. Sam Lord) strives to prove his manhood, and escape his father’s pressure that he become a rabbi, by enlisting in the Navy.
His smart but rebellious younger sister, Dev, mourns his disappearance, while chafing against her father’s expectation that she marry instead of pursuing a career in science. Their successful uncle, Gershon Mendel, confronts failure when he ventures beyond their sheltered Lower East Side community to search for the missing boy.
On the Shore offers a poignant look at the strained relationships that trouble the multi-generation immigrant families of today as well as yesteryear.
Set in 1917–1925, On the Shore follows the upheaval in an immigrant Jewish family when, without telling his family, 16-year-old Shmuel Levinson (a.k.a. Sam Lord) strives to prove his manhood, and escape his father’s pressure that he become a rabbi, by enlisting in the Navy.
His smart but rebellious younger sister, Dev, mourns his disappearance, while chafing against her father’s expectation that she marry instead of pursuing a career in science. Their successful uncle, Gershon Mendel, confronts failure when he ventures beyond their sheltered Lower East Side community to search for the missing boy.
On the Shore offers a poignant look at the strained relationships that trouble the multi-generation immigrant families of today as well as yesteryear.
296 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2017
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Ann S. Epstein
34 books23 followersAnn S. Epstein writes novels, short stories, memoir, poems, essays, and book reviews. Her awards include a Pushcart Prize creative nonfiction nomination, Walter Sullivan fiction prize, Historical Novel Review Editors’ Choice selection, and St. Lawrence Book Award Finalist nomination. Her novels are On the Shore; Tazia and Gemma; A Brain. A Heart. The Nerve.; The Great Stork Derby; Love, Loss, and Secrets; One Person’s Loss; The Sister Knot; Who Cares?; and Elephant Angel (in press). Her stories and nonfiction work appear in North American Review, Sewanee Review, PRISM International, Ascent, The Long Story, and elsewhere. In addition to writing, she has a PhD in developmental psychology, MFA in fiber art, and certification as an end-of-life doula. To learn more about her writing, please follow Ann S. Epstein Writer on her website and social media posts.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 8, 2017
If you want to learn history through fiction, I'd highly recommend this book. Ann Epstein has beautifully combined facts with storytelling techniques to make you breathe the air of the past.
July 22, 2020
On the Shore is a work of historical fiction that spans an eight- year time period, from 1917 to 1925. The novel begins during World War I, within an immigrant Jewish community on the lower East Side of New York.
The main story centers around a gifted sixteen-year- old Yeshiva boy, whose authoritarian father insists he become a rabbi. Shmuel Levinson changes his name to Sam Lord and runs away to join the Navy, to escape his father as well as to fight for his country.
Sam endures the aggression of the German Navy during World War I, a sadistic lieutenant and the Flu Pandemic of 1918. At the same time, his estrangement from his family, his religion and his community undermine his emotional well-being.
The author has interwoven the Shmuel/Sam story with those of his family members as they grapple both with navigating between old world European culture, Orthodox Judaism and American culture, with the trauma of the young man’s disappearance.
Most of the novel is written in third person, however the author uses first person in the narrative of Dev, Shmuel’s younger sister. Dev’s story is that of an exceptionally bright young woman, struggling to use her brains within a social order that sees her value only as a future housewife and mother.
On the Shore is well-researched, well-written, and entertaining. It is a double coming of age story, with history, adventure, and romance. It is about family and friendships, community and much more.
The main story centers around a gifted sixteen-year- old Yeshiva boy, whose authoritarian father insists he become a rabbi. Shmuel Levinson changes his name to Sam Lord and runs away to join the Navy, to escape his father as well as to fight for his country.
Sam endures the aggression of the German Navy during World War I, a sadistic lieutenant and the Flu Pandemic of 1918. At the same time, his estrangement from his family, his religion and his community undermine his emotional well-being.
The author has interwoven the Shmuel/Sam story with those of his family members as they grapple both with navigating between old world European culture, Orthodox Judaism and American culture, with the trauma of the young man’s disappearance.
Most of the novel is written in third person, however the author uses first person in the narrative of Dev, Shmuel’s younger sister. Dev’s story is that of an exceptionally bright young woman, struggling to use her brains within a social order that sees her value only as a future housewife and mother.
On the Shore is well-researched, well-written, and entertaining. It is a double coming of age story, with history, adventure, and romance. It is about family and friendships, community and much more.
October 9, 2023
What a beautiful and engaging work on the immigrant and first generation American experience in the first half of the 20th century. The main story of a young man pushing back on expectations and taking off to find his own way in the world is not a new one, but when layered with the time period around the first world war and taking place within an orthodox Jewish family Epstein created a unique and compelling story. For me it was also a welcome education, as my understanding of Jewish ritual and belief is somewhat limited, the detail included in this novel gave me a greater appreciation for the challenges many Jewish immigrants faced and how important their sense of community was to them.
A great read that I would recommend to anyone and I'm already working on reading my second book by this author.
A great read that I would recommend to anyone and I'm already working on reading my second book by this author.
May 17, 2017
I might be the first person to write a review, but I doubt I'll be the last because this is a book worth talking about. I was transported to different times and places, her characters became my friends, and perhaps most important - I completely forgot that my own mother wrote this book when I was reading it. It's that immersive of an experience.
June 18, 2017
ON THE SHORE was a wonderful book, which through the eyes of its intriguing characters, tells a story that many of us who came from immigrant families can relate to. The characters as they interact with each other and the world around them, seem so real, that one gets lost in their experiences. I can see why the author has won writing awards!
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
June 28, 2017
From the first page, Ann Epstein draws us into the warm arms of a very interesting family story. Each character, rich with personality, touched all my senses. I enjoyed this journey from beginning to end.
May 20, 2017
I really loved, and learned from, this book. The loose ends are all tied up so unexpectedly. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews