Where Do I Go: A Historical Novel of Love and Struggle

by Beverly Magid

LEAH’S FIGHT FOR A NEW LIFE IS AT STAKE. WILL LOVE AND JUSTICE WIN OUT OVER GREED AND CORRUPTION?Immerse yourself in New York, 1908, and discover a story of escape, survival, and love—a story of a woman called upon to again protect the ones she loves most in life.Leah Peretz finally escaped the horrors of Russia, the aftermath of a violent attack on her village by the military. She and her children have arrived in America to live with her brothers.But here in New York, Leah can only find work in a shirtwaist factory. In this sweatshop, the doors are locked during the day, you must pay for a glass of water, and there are no rules to protect young workers. Little children work long hours right beside her, their fingers bruised and sore from cutting fabric.And then there is her Benny, ten years old and secretly working for the neighborhood mob boss. How can she keep Benny from being corrupted by the promise of money—from a man with no scruples?At long last she could find true love with Aaron, her brother’s friend. New York offers her delights she has only dreamed of and fought for, but her family, her co-workers—everyone—is looking to Leah to save them by standing up to the factory boss and forcing better conditions.A strike could mean no job at all unless Leah can convince everyone to agree. Can she do it? Can she fight and finally have her dreams come true at last?This is the heart-rending story of immigrant survival in America, where everyone believed the streets are paved with gold before they arrive. Where Do I Go will touch your heart and stay with you forever.

Genres: Historical Fiction

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2017

About the author

Beverly Magid, before writing her novel, was a journalist and an entertainment and celebrity PR executive, who interviewed many luminaries, including John Lennon, Jim Croce and the Monty Python gang, and as a publicist represented clients in music, tv and film, ranging from Whoopi Goldberg, John Denver and Dolly Parton to Tom Skerritt, Martin Landau, Kathy Ireland and Jacqueline Bisset.

Beverly is a longtime west coast resident but still considers herself a New Yorker. . She is an active member of Jewish World Watch, a California-based organization, which works to end genocide and is on-the-ground in Africa helping to aid and educate the victims of war atrocities.

She's a news and political junkie and supports environmental, animal and human rights issues. In her spare time, she has been mentoring elementary children in reading as well as volunteering at the Los Angeles Zoo, working with the Research Department in observing animal behavior.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I go, is the sequel to Sown in Tears and follows the story of Leah Peretz and her family in New York. Centred around the Jewish community, the story tells of the struggles encountered by new immigrants to survive, to keep their faith, and to gain a sense of belonging in a land that often feels alien. I particularly liked the novel's emphasis on women's equality and the industrial action taken by female factory workers, a topic that seems as pertinent today as it was in 1908. This novel flowed well and held my interest and, although, a sequel, it can easily be read as a stand alone novel. It is bound to be welcomed by those who have followed Leah's journey from Russia to the New World.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Do I Go is a fabulous follow up to Beverly Magid’s Sown in Tears. I enjoyed this one so much more. I loved the strength that Leah had and admired her. I found it intriguing getting a glimpse of what life was like for those living in that section of New York City in 1908. It must have been horrific for all, including children, during those times.
I highly recommend Where Do I Go. I just could not put it down until I was finished. I give it 5 plus stars.
I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

See even more book reviews on: http://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile.com/

My original interest was piqued in this book since I love historical fiction. I haven’t read too many novels focusing on immigrants in the 1900s and the synopsis intrigued me.

The novel is set in the early 1900s on the Lower East Side of New York. The main character, Leah, is a Jewish woman who has moved to New York from Russia for a better life with new opportunities in America as most people did at that time. While she is glad for her family’s new freedom she suffers to make ends meet by working in harsh conditions.

The book is written in multiple povs giving readers different views of how immigrants felt, what they saw, and the jobs that they worked on a daily basis. There was great attention to detail, making story feel realistic. I felt that I could get a good sense of the era. I also could feel the high emotions running through these people’s minds. How would they put food on the table and provide for their family? Sweatshop bosses and greedy businessman took advantage of Leah’s family due to their naivete and lack of English skills. It was so unfair and it made me angry to know that these hard-working, kind-hearted people were being taken advantage of.

Magrid is a wonderful storyteller and pulls the reader into the story. the book is very engaging, but at times it’s also hard to read due to the harsh realities of sweat shop workers that are described in the book. Seeing Leah and her family struggle to make ends meet was heartbreaking.

Where Do I Go? is such a short book at just under 200 pages, but it still packs a powerful punch. The book makes you appreciate what you have in life and not to take it for granted. It also illustrated just how far labor laws have come since those days. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I felt the narrative was strong and I was invested in the character’s stories.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

full review to follow January 29, give or take a couple of days. For now, let's just say that this book really helps me appreciate my blessings!

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I am a massive fan of historical fiction and this book really had me gripped. It is a poignant book that really tugged on my heartstrings, it is a lovely book to read and I was really impressed with the writing style and how well the book flowed.

Five stars from me, definitely a book I'd recommend it was a pleasure to read and it is one of those books that really makes you realise how hard people have had it in the past and how lucky we are with what we have now - very hard to put down until the book I'd finished.

[Christie Sitterly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where Do I Go by Beverly Magid is a historical fiction novel set in New York in the early 1900’s. Leah and her children have escaped the atrocities suffered by the Jewish in Russia, including the murder of her husband. She has come to live with her brothers and relishes a new life of possibilities. However, her dreams are shattered by harsh reality.

Leah works from home, but upon delivering her wares, discovers that her boss is the owner of a sweatshop. Leah befriends the employees there and they nominate her to be their union spokesperson. Concurrently, Leah is dealing with the fact that her son appears to be working for the local mob.

This book is relevant in our current time when unions are all but disappearing. Mothers will relate to Leah and her struggles not only to survive, but to see her son safely out of a dangerous situation.