The Last Days of Ellis Island

by Gaëlle Josse, Natasha Lehrer (Translator)

New York, November 3, 1954. In a few days, the immigration inspection station on Ellis Island will close its doors forever. John Mitchell, an officer of the Bureau of Immigration, is the guardian and last resident of the island. As Mitchell looks back over forty-five years as gatekeeper to America and its promise of a better life, he recalls his brief marriage to beloved wife Liz, and is haunted by memories of a transgression involving Nella, an immigrant from Sardinia. Told in a series of poignant diary entries, this is a story of responsibility, love, fidelity, and remorse.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, New York, France, The United States Of America, Roman

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2014

About the author

Passionnée de poésie, elle a publié plusieurs recueils et a même reçu le Prix de l'édition poétique de la ville de Dijon en 2009.
En 2011, Gaëlle publie son 1er roman, « Les heures silencieuses » inspiré d'un tableau du peintre flamand Emmanuelle de Witte. Dans un texte court, empreint de poésie et de mélancolie, l'auteur invente un destin au personnage féminin du tableau. Plébiscité par les libraires, ce titre fait partie des finalistes du Prix Orange du Livre 2011.
Gaëlle Josse a suivi des études de psychologie, de journalisme et de droit. Après quelques années passées en Nouvelle Calédonie, elle revient en métropole, s'installe à Paris et devient rédactrice en presse magazine mais aussi pour un site Internet.

Reviews

[Angela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

“At times it feels as if the entire world has shrunk to the borders of this island. The island of hope and tears. The site of the miracle that destroyed and redeemed, that stripped the Irish peasant, the Calabrian shepherd, the German worker, the Polish rabbi, the Hungarian pencil pusher, of the original nationalities and transformed them into American citizens.”

I was drawn to this book because when I saw the title it reminded me that all of my grandparents had came off ships from Italy to Ellis Island, to this country. It made me wonder what brought them here, what they had been thinking on the day they arrived, what they experienced on that day, how their fateful journey changed their lives and of course made mine possible. This novel is not just about the immigrants, though. At once it is the story of this place and the people moving through, but also the personal story of a solitary man. The novel reads like a journal, a personal diary of a man’s life, the story of John Mitchell, a Federal Immigration Officer in charge of Ellis Island for 45 years.

This man, his role, his years of service here and his personal life, his love for his wife of five years who is buried on the Island reflect the grief of a solitary man. He writes of a transgression that was born out of perhaps loneliness, perhaps lust, or perhaps love. He tells the story of one immigrant, a young Italian woman and the story of another Italian immigrant. These stories connected me even more given my grandparents homeland . Although short, I found this to be quiet, introspective and profound. This story of the immigrants of the past brings to mind those of today, seeking the same freedom.

The original of this book is in French and with translations, I sometimes feel as if I miss something, not being able to read it in the language in which it was written. When I read the following in the authors note, I had a feeling that I knew, even in translation, what the author felt as she wrote this. “In August 2012, I visited Ellis Island, now the Museum of Immigration, not far from the Statue of Liberty. It’s hard to explain the overwhelming emotion I felt in this place, which today guards the memory of all those exiles. It’s hard to explain the feeling of vertigo I experienced as I walked along the building’s corridors and deserted staircases for hours on end, going from room to room, each one filled with objects, memories, and photographs. Migrants, emigrants, immigrants. Transit. words still charged with an acute resonance. A few weeks later, without having planned to one even wanting to write it, this story came into being.” I’ve been to New York City numerous times, unfortunately, never having been to Ellis Island. One of these days, when it is safer to travel, I have to get there so I can walk the place where my grandparents walked when they embarked from those ships from Italy to begin their new lives.

I received a copy of this from World Editions through Edelweiss.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 1920's, before immigration quotas were established, my great-grandparents and their extended family emigrated from Europe to the United States. They were poor immigrants traveling in third class "steerage", arriving at the Immigration Station on Ellis Island. Where were you born? Can you read and write in your native tongue? What is your trade? Do you have a sponsor...where will you live? What is your plan for a new life in America? When I visited Ellis Island, I proudly viewed some of their names etched on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor.

"They carried all their dreams inside their luggage, packed inside the trunks...baskets...suitcases...brought...from their previous life... there was everything they had sealed up deep inside their hearts...the anguish of separation, the pain of calling up faces they would never see again...theirs was an exile without return".

John Mitchell was "the guardian and last resident" of Ellis Island. He spent 45 years as a "gatekeeper" to America. Over the course of the last 9 days before Ellis Island closed, he chose to write a diary. It was an accounting of a solitary life of his own choosing. The diary entries start on November 3, 1954. "Everything that follows took place at sea...two ships docked here, once upon a time. For me it was as though they never left again...everything I believed to be solid burned to ash". The Germania docked on September 27, 1920. Five people died at sea... "bygone happiness...would never return...my links with the world...the city...without purpose, it no longer had any meaning for me. I tired myself out working...maintenance, repairs, cleaning...".

On April 23, 1923, the Cincinnati docked. "In spite of the small number of those who were turned away-the fear that they might find themselves among the deportees caused them unspeakable anguish". Imagine a chalk mark on your clothing that would send you to the Board of Special Inquiry. Could you stay in the US or were you denied entry?

John Mitchell had committed a transgression. "I believed myself up until that point to have exercised my responsibilities with integrity...". Mitchell was haunted by his guilt ridden memories. He was unable to right his wrong. He declined to emerge from his self-inflicted lonely prison. On November 12, 1954, after processing over 12 million immigrants, Ellis Island was closed for immigration.

"The Last Days of Ellis Island" by Gaelle Josse, although a work of historical fiction, described accurately aspects of the journey and arrival at a new land as experienced by many of our forebearers. An informative, enjoyable read.

Thank you World Editions and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of this book fascinated me. But the book didn’t work for me. For starters, the language felt very stilted. It’s been translated from the French it was written in, so I’m not sure if it’s an issue with the original or the translation.
A well done historical fiction should transport you to the time and place. Despite my familiarity with Ellis Island, this did neither.
The book plods along. It’s written in journal form, so it’s more a series of vignettes than any linear history. I never felt a connection with John, especially when he would have the reader believe that his rape of a Sicilian woman was okay because he “loved” her. A few of the characters were mildly interesting, especially August Sherman, a real life photographer that worked on Ellis Island and Gyorgy Kovacs, a supposed communist who was turned away.
My thanks to netgalley and World Editions for an advance copy of this book.

[Tomasz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bardzo podobał mi się koncept książki, nie do końca przemawia do mnie wykonanie. Wiem, że miała być to opowieść o strażniku, ale zdecydowanie za mało było tutaj dla mnie historii samych osób uchodźczych, które najbardziej mnie interesowały. Jest tu też kilka elementów, których bardzo w kulturze nie lubię, a zwłaszcza wykorzystanie przemocy seksualnej jako czynnika wpływającego na zmianę w charakterze bohaterów, w tym przypadku z perspektywy oprawcy. Ostatecznie pewnie szybko wypadnie mi z głowy.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 2 out of 5]

John Mitchell looks back at his 45 years as an officer for the bureau of immigration at Ellis Island and it's not at all what I thought it would be. It's a tacky, odd story about a man who misses his wife Liz and uses his power to abuse a young girl called Nella. I was hoping to read about people immigrating to American, their experiences at Ellis Island and about it being closed.
Two stars from me, about the only good thing about the book was it was a quick read, I have shared my review on Goodreads and Edelweiss.

[Vonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky short read, this book was entertaining in the aspect it told stories about early New York and Ellis Island. Tom was an agent of Ellis Island and tells the story in diary form. Stories of immigrants passing through, how Ellis Island was basically a village upon itself. This is a story of responsibility, love, compassion, and remorse.

[Ratko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Острво Елис је њујоршко острво које је дуги низ година било улазно место у Нови свет за сијасет несрећних, сиромашних, људи који нису имали ништа, а долазили су бродовима, стешњени у трећој класи, са надом да ће „амерички сан“ самим ступањем на тле Америке постати јава.
Гаел Жос нам предочава последње дане рада имиграционог центра на острву, заправо интимни дневник последњег управника Центра у коме он исповеда свој живот и тражи разумевање за своје одређене поступке који га годинама прогањају (било би превише спојловања када бих открио о чему је реч).
Роман је написан занатски умешно, непретенциозно, ништа ту не штрчи, нема вишкова. Такође, од самог почетка се крај дао назрети, поједини ликови су само угрубо представљени, као схематизовани, али ни то није умањило уживање у читању. Неће ово постати будући класик, али свакако је књига која може да се допадне многима.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books I was expecting to love and yet didn’t. The writing was quite flat and there was a distance, a disconnect in the way the main character described his life on Ellis island. It was interesting to flesh out my knowledge of Ellis Island. I have visited it many years ago and so it was easy to visualise much of what was described. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

[Helena (Renchi King) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puno puta sam vidjela na filmu scenu-mjesto gdje se razni emigranti registriraju prije ulaska u obećanu zemlju,Ameriku.
To se događalo na Ellis Islandu, i ovo je jedna "povijesna crtica" o tom otoku.
I danas je to mjesto poznato kao muzej useljeništva,popularna turistička ruta nadomak Kipu slobode.
Spisateljica je odlično prenijela tjeskobu,strah i neizvjesnost doseljenika kroz dnevničke zapise posljednjeg zaposlenika tog otoka.

[Maria Yankulova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Посегнах към романа без никакви очаквания и останах приятно изненадана. Отначало ми тръгна спънато, но след първите 10-20 страници сякаш и аз попаднах на Елис Айлънд - емблематичния остров, който посреща мечтите за нов живот на хиляди емигранти. Кратка по обем история, която обаче засяга много важни теми.

Да си призная липсваха ми едни 200 страници, в които да се задълбочи и доразвие историята на Дейвид Мичъл, Лиз и Нела. Това, което най-много ми хареса е, че романа е написан под формата на дневник, който Дейвид започва 5 дни преди да затворят федералното бюро по емиграция на острова и лека по лека ни връща назад в спомените му.

[Takoneando entre libros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una lectura que conjuga la ficción con hechos reales, y que nos muestra retazos de historias y hechos relacionados con la recepción de inmigrantes en Estados Unidos.
La novela me ha conmovido en algunas partes, pero también es cierto que hay una en concreto ( Nella) que se me ha hecho excesiva y me he saltado párrafos.
El protagonista ha hecho que me debata entre la compasión y el rechazo por alguno de sus actos.
En fin, es un libro interesante para ver desde un prisma diferente lo que supuso esa etapa de la inmigración en ese país... pero viendo las fotografías de personas que por allí pasaron no dejo de sentir cierta incomodidad al pensar en cuantos sueños truncados debieron suponer los rechazos a sus entradas, o lo que debieron hacer otros para poder ser merecedores de cruzar esas Puertas del cielo que los separaban de la tierra prometida.
Como documento histórico me ha parecido muy interesante y la idea de cómo hacer una novela con esta idea... pero no sé si es la traducción o ...no me ha acabado de gustar la narrativa usada.

[Елиана Личева · Rating 5 out of 5]

В момента, в който затворих книгата осъзнах, че съм била на Елис Айлънд при посещението в САЩ. Тогава обаче фокуса беше на Статуята на свободата и гледката съм Ню Йорк. Смътно си спомням мемориали и част от музей. Сега разбирам къде съм била, колко близо е всъщност брега , а колко далеч е бил за емигрантите. За пореден път се убеждавам, че нито един екскурзовод, филм или брошура можи да пресъздаде историята, така както една книга.

[Mewa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Centrum imigracyjne na Ellis Island wkrótce zostanie zamknięte, a tym samym zakończy się pełna lęku i oczekiwania codzienność tego miejsca. Ludzie z całego świata czekali tam na werdykt — czy powrócą do tego, co pragnęli zostawić, czy przejdą przez Bramę Wolności. Po trudnej podróży, często w okropnych warunkach, wcale nie mieli gwarancji, że czeka ich wymarzona przyszłość, a każdy dzień oczekiwania stawał się koleją torturą. Mury Ellis Island zdawały się przesiąknąć trudnymi emocjami, a ich ciche szepty podążały za Johnem Mitchellem.

John Mitchell był zarządcą Ellis Island. Człowiekiem, który spędził na wyspie wiele lat, a zaczynał jako najzwyklejszy pracownik, by powoli pnąć się po szczeblach kariery. Częściowo odcięty od stałego lądu, żył otoczony ludzkimi tragediami. „Ostatni Strażnik z Ellis Island" to jego pamiętnik, opowieść o przeżytych latach. Kreśli w nim swój portret zaskakująco szczerze — bez wybielania swoich błędów.
John nie jest bohaterem, którego mogę lubić lub potępić, choć z ochotą wybrałabym wobec niego konkretne stanowisko. Czasami może budzić wręcz obrzydzenie, czasami współczucie. To człowiek, który chciał dobrze wykonywać swoje zadania, ale jednocześnie wciąż na drodze stawały mu moralne dylematy. Ulegał porywom serca, by później stawać się służbistą. Nieważne, którą drogą by poszedł — każda wydawała się niewłaściwa.

Gaelle Josse pisze pięknie i z dużą wrażliwością kreśli sylwetki poszczególnych bohaterów. Tyle w pełni wystarczyło, by autorka poruszyła moje serce. Czytanie powieści dało mi wiele przyjemności, choć nie brakowało w niej fragmentów, które sprawiały ból. Jej książka mi się podobała, a jednocześnie nie jestem pewna, w czym tak właściwie tkwi jej sekret. Na pewno jednak na uwagę zasługuje powolne snucie opowieści o niestandardowej codzienności. A fragmenty o uchodźcach w czasie Drugiej Wojny Światowej zdecydowanie mocniej uderzają przez pryzmat wydarzeń ostatniego miesiąca.

Nawet jeśli powieść nie spodoba się Wam równie mocno — wciąż uważam, że warto po nią sięgnąć. To dobra książka, wydana przez dobre wydawnictwo.

przekł. Dorota Hartwich

Powieść uhonorowana Nagrodą Literacką Unii Europejskiej.

[Kulturna · Rating 4 out of 5]

''Sve je došlo morem''.
Ova naizgled bezazlena rečenica, u sebi sadrži tisuće priča i tisuće duša koje svoju nose sa sobom u Obećanu zemlju, la Mericu. Od kraja 19. do sredine 20.st. otok Ellis je ono što danas nazivamo prihvatni centar. Tisuće emigranata, imigranata i migranata svakodnevno je uplovljavalo na ovaj otočić s pogledom na Kip slobode, svoju slobodu. John Mitchell je četrdeset i pet godina gledao novopridošlice, njihovu ''selekciju'' i priče. Knjiga je ispričana kao ''pogled unatrag'', osvrtanje preko ramena za što nam uvijek kažu da ne valja. Mitchell je na tom otoku, uz svoje godine, ostavio i ženu Lizz. Ono što zapravo čini ovu priču odličnom je sama naslovnica koja dolazi do izražaja daljnjim čitanjem, kao i značenje slova X i što je ono predstavljalo za la Mericu. ''Iz kotla Ellisa, iz njegove divovske kade za krštenje, doseljenici su izlazili u obliku slobodnih i ravnopravnih američkih građana, zamoljenih da prionu na teške poslove, govore engleski i upotrebljavaju dolaze umjesto lira, zlota i rublji''.

[Barbara The MarSienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le dernier gardien d'Ellis Island est un petit livre mais il est poignant. Au vu des actualités sur les mouvements migratoires, il prend encore plus de sens. Je n'ai pas eu l'occasion d'aller visiter ce lieu lorsque j'étais à New York mais grâce à ce roman j'ai réussi à me plonger dans ce lieu qu'est Ellis Island. L'auteure qui l'a visité, a imaginé les secrets que devait porter le directeur de ce lieu après des années passées à voir défiler des milliers d'immigrants venus d'Europe.

[MaRysia (ostatnia_strona) · Rating 3 out of 5]

„Ostatni strażnik z Ellis Island” to książka która zaciekawiła mnie swoją tematyką głównie dlatego, że porusza ona temat imigrantów napływających do stanów zjednoczonych na początku 20 wieku. Myślę, że jest doskonały pomysł na fabułę, bo z ludzmi którzy porzucają swoje całe dotychczasowe zycie i postanawiają płynąć ku nieznanej przyszłości, zawsze wiążą się niesamowite historie. Spodziewałam się, że tych opowieści będzie trochę więcej. W książce dostajemy jednak głownie historię tytułowego strażnika, jego wspomnienia z 50 pracy na wyspie, pełna nostalgii, samotności i żalu.

[spoiler]
Musze tutaj zaznaczyć, że opowieść zawiera scenę gwałtu, a co więcej staje się ona osią całej późniejszej fabuły. Jednak nie dostaniemy tutaj popularnego motywu zemsty, bo sprawcą czynu jest sam główny bohater. Jest to niewątpliwie coś co niektórym może czytać się bardzo nieprzyjemnie, ja sama z trudem przebrnęłam przez tę scenę, chociaż muszę przyznać, że śledzenie myśli sprawcy po samym czynie było czymś bardzo ciekawym, bo rzadko spotykanym w literaturze.

[Slavi Stoyanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Лесно и бързо се четене книгата, но е доста тъжна

[Jérémy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merci pour ce joli cadeau les amis ! ☺️

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Descubrí “El último guardián de la isla de Ellis” de Gaëlle Josse poco después de volver de un viaje a Nueva York. Había visitado la isla y tenía curiosidad por conocer algo más de su historia.

El libro comienza el 3 de noviembre de 1954. Pocos días después, el centro de inmigrantes de la isla de Ellis cerrará sus puertas para años después convertirse en el museo que yo visité.

John Mitchell, su director, se ha quedado a solas y escribe un diario sobre los largos años que ha pasado recluido en la isla. Años de trabajo infatigable que quizá le sirvieron de penitencia por el sentimiento de culpabilidad que le ha acompañado durante décadas tras la pérdida de su esposa y la pasión descontrolada que sintió por Nella, una inmigrante de Cerdeña con un pasado misterioso.

A través de sus memorias descubrimos que la isla era el lugar al que llegaban cientos de barcos cargados de sueños y esperanzas que, en ocasiones se tornaban lágrimas. Especialmente por las duras condiciones en las que viajaban los pasajeros de tercera clase que, tras un viaje de semanas en unas condiciones insalubres, debían soportar largas colas para recibir la carta de admisión a una nueva vida que sólo se concedía si se superaban los exámenes médicos.

Una novela sobrecogedora que, aunque está vagamente inspirada en algunos personajes reales, condensa a la perfección todas y cada una de las historias que encierra la llamada “Puerta del paraíso”. Hoy sólo quedan fotografías y maletas vacías como testigos de los sueños, esperanzas y el dolor que impregnan sus muros.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child of a parent, who was also a child, that came to this country through Ellis Island a long time ago, I was so interested in this story. I found a physical copy in a clearance section of my local Half Price bookstore, so I snapped it up. So, this wasn't exactly what I was thinking it would be, it's a short book but still, it told quite a personal story. I realize I'm hungry for more, more in depth stories from the incredibly courageous and brave people that left everything and everyone and set out on a incredibly hard and long journey for somewhere unknown but convinced it would be a better life. This story was told from the view of a person that worked at Ellis Island for their entire lives. I just needed...more, and while this is a mostly fictional account, (the authors note at the back explains it) I imagine that this parallels a few of the millions of stories that were real.

[Géraldine · Rating 1 out of 5]

L'histoire est légère et incohérente. Les 70 premières pages n'ont rien à voir avec le récit, on se demande ce qu'elles font là. Le personnage principal est sans émotions et évoque un viol opportuniste comme il parle de la pluie. Les autres personnages ne semblent pas exister.
Ce n'est pas parce que la visite d'un lieu touche profondément qu'on est capable d'écrire sur le sujet. Ce n'est pas parce que le récit prend place dans un lieu chargé en émotions qu'il est chargé en émotions.
Un succès que je ne comprend pas.
Une étoile pour la pirouette finale.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

déception pour ce petit livre dont je retiendrai les 20 dernières pages vraiment émouvantes j'aurais aimé que l'ensemble du roman soit à cette image. pas assez ancré historiquement , pas d'empathie pour les personnages , je voulais ressentir l'ambiance d'ellis island porte d'entrée de l'Amérique c'est un peu raté.

[Cryssilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un très bel hommage à tous ces voyageurs!

[Nicko D]

Необяснима сила кара възрастния американец Джон Мичъл да се обърне към миналото, което доскоро той смятал за затворена страница. Години наред той е директор в Центърът по имиграция на Елис Айлънд, островът който е първа спирка за всички идващи от Европа имигранти, оказал се транзитна порта за над 12 милиона души през годините. Дни преди закриването на Центъра, през 1954-а година, и принудителното пенсиониране на Мичъл, той се връща в спомените си, осъзнавайки, че островът е неговият живот. „Последният пазител на Елис Айлънд” от Га��л Жос е част от каталога на издателство „Колибри”, в превод на Красимир Петров.

Ще успее ли дни след напускането си на острова Джон Мичъл да се превърне в един от незнайните, скромно облечени пенсионери, които обитават малко жилище в Манхатън? С носталгия и тъга, служителят на Федералното бюро за имиграция, осъзнава, че е останал напълно сам в живота. Под негова власт са единствено голите стени на Елис Айлънд, тревата и растенията, поникнали от донесени от вятъра семена. Цялата Вселена на Мичъл се е свила до размерите на Елис: остров на надеждата и на сълзите; място което през годините смазва и гради съдби, което превръща ирландския селянин, калабрийския пастир, германския работник, полския равин и унгарския чиновник в американски граждани, след като преди това ги е лишило от предишната им национална принадлежност.

Носи ли обаче щастие сбъдването на американската мечта?

В есента на своя живот Джон разсъждава за потока човешки съдби, на които е станал свидетел в тази безкрайна върволица от часове и дни. Години наред, от сутрин до вечер, пред очите му са спирали кораби, със стотици пасажери, желаейки само едно – да прекосят Елис Айлънд в посока на своя блян, под зоркия поглед на Статуята на Свободата. Мичъл е срещал отблизо съдбите на мнозина, тяхното тревожно очакване на благословията, на кръщението, на заветния пропуск, на свидетелството, което дава право на американско гражданство, дава право на живот и на смърт. И златната порта да се разтвори пред тях. За много от тях тя в действителност е била скърцаща олющена врата, която те цял живот ще се стараят да разкрасят в името на своето потомство. Защото в действителност в Америка не ги очаква никакво чудо, освен онова, което те биха могли да сътворят със собствените си ръце. В най-добрия случай тежък и зле платен труд.

Писането е странен занаят и от него французойката Гаел Жос научава, че преди всичко свободата на автора не се състои в измислянето на герои, на декори и случки, а в това да посрещне и да се вслуша в гласа на хората, които писателят среща всеки ден. Защото всеки човек има история, и може би тази история ще даде отговор на въпросите, които отдавна всеки един от нас си задава.

През 2012 година писателката посещава Елис Айлънд, който днес е превърнат в Музей на имиграцията, на неколкостотин метра от Статуята на Свободата. Именно там тя се вдъхновява за написването на „Последният пазител на Елис Айлънд”, особено след като на много места прочита особено актуалните в наши дни думи: „мигранти”, „имигранти”, „емигранти”. Гаел Жос споделя, че героите в романа й са измислени, с изключение на трима, за които тя е събрала сведения от музея на острова.

Французойката Гаел Жос, родена през 1960 г., прави първите си стъпки на литературното поприще с няколко стихосбирки, донесли й признание и известност, а през 2011 г. публикува своя дебютен роман, „Часове мълчание“, преведен на множество езици, последван от „Нашият живот на кръстопът“ и „Снежна сватба“. „Последният пазител на Елис Айлънд“ е удостоен с редица престижни отличия, сред които Европейската награда за литература за 2015 година.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated by immigration; the reasons why people leave their homes to start new lives in places that they may not have visited before. I'm from an Irish background and there's a long, and often brutal history of migration from Ireland and Ellis Island - the gateway to the United States played a huge part in the stories of every person who landed on the shores of America, in the search of a better life.

The Last Days of Ellis Island is a short read at just over two hundred pages, but it is one that has a huge impact on the reader. Gaelle Jose is a poet and that is so abundantly clear in this quite magical story. It's perfectly translated from the French by Natasha Lehrer.

Told in the form of diary entries by John Mitchell, it's an exploration of the mind of a man who isolated himself from people, and from the rest of the US. Mitchell spent his entire working life on Ellis Island, beginning as a lowly clerk and gradually making his way up until he was the man in charge.
Ellis Island is due to close. Immigration procedures have changed over the years, and most probably for the better. There's no more use for the Island and John is the only person left. He's packed up, taken an inventory and now is writing down his innermost thoughts.

John Mitchell is a deep, incredibly complex character and even though the reader only hears from him, and doesn't see the views of other people who may have know him, there's a real feeling of honesty and truth in his words. He certainly doesn't paint himself in the greatest light; recalling sadnesses and regrets over the years. Mitchell is aware that he's behaved badly, he knows that his actions have often shaped the future for other people. He doesn't deny that, however, he doesn't apologise either. He says what he did, and why.

I was entranced by this book and read it in one sitting. Josse captures the absolute terror and fear that the people who arrived at Ellis Island felt. As they are subjected to the twenty-nine questions, knowing that their answers will seal their future, the reader can also feel the anticipation and hope felt, and also the abject despair if their entry is denied.

John Mitchell makes reference to one particular Italian ship, and its passengers. This particular shipment of people probably had the greatest effect on him, as a person, and as an officer. He did things, and made decisions at this time that are difficult to read and absorb, but add such a depth to this story.

The Last Days of Ellis Island has quite rightly won many awards. Gaelle Josse is an accomplished and talented author. Her story is fiction, but some of her characters did exist. She has taken a place and one man and created a story that outlines the suffering, hope and at times depravity of humankind.

A story to read and remember by an an author to watch.

[Sarah :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

C'était bien écrit et rapide à lire mais j'ai pas été transportée + que ça et je ne me suis pas trop attachée au perso. C'était peur être un peu TROP rapide. (en tout cas ce mois de juillet est une bénédiction pour mon défi lecture wtf je suis moi même étonnée du nombre de livre que je termine, what's happening.)

[Chet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful story about America's welcome mat, the first "landfall", even though Ellis is an island, for hopeful immigrants and future citizens. If Goodreads had 1/2 stars, I'd give this a solid 4-1/2 ⭐ stars.

[Angela Lopez De Arriba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro me ha producido a la vez angustia, por toda esa gente que paso por la isla de Ellis y una mezcla entre rechazo y cariño al protagonista de la historia.

[Jade Mattieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’ai adoré ce livre, j’aurais pu le finir plus vite tellement l’histoire est bien, intéressante. Je recommande

[Solange · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐