Flight Into the Unknown

by Giselle Roeder

Marrying a penfriend from Canada who had a small child, I emigrated from Germany to Canada. Trusting the penfriend’s well-to-do parents, I had an awful surprise learning of his debts, even a loan to come to Germany to marry me, obligations I had to pay. With my limited knowledge of English, a child I loved, who was happy to have a ‘new mommy,’ I felt helpless, cried a lot, but had no choice but to accept my fate. The next life-changing disappointment was a move from Vancouver to Winnipeg. It became my Canadian home city over the next few years. Happy years with the addition of the second stepdaughter and concurrent with her arrival, followed by the birth of a son.
Despite many ups and downs, the marriage lasted for twenty years. After living a comfortable life when I became successful in business, my husband started an affair, cleaned out every bank account, and I lost everything. A divorce followed.

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2020

About the author

Born prior to WWII Giselle Roeder spent her early life in the relatively tranquil setting of a rural village in Pomerania, the most eastern part of Germany ceeded to Poland in 1945. The bloody trauma of the fighting between the advancing Russians and the retreating German army in her neighborhood meant that thousands of people, including her family became displaced persons. Despite the interruptions in her education Giselle qualified as a Physical Education teacher in what was known as East Germany before she escaped to the West via Berlin. In West Germany, she was obliged to start her life all over again, recommence her training and eventually became a health educator.

Following her emigration to Canada in 1963, Giselle succeeded in business and became well-known as an international public speaker in the developing alternative health field.

She jokes about her first full English sentence, spoken to a salesman at her door two days after her arrival in Canada: "My - man - is - not home."

Giselle has written several books: two about healthy living, her memoir "We Don't Talk About That" covering the amazing story of survival during her first thirty years, the sequel "Flight Into The Unknown - Dreaming of Life and Love in Canada" to be followed by the finale of her memoir, "Set Sail For Life After 50 - Age is just a Number." Unforgettable is "Forget Me Not", A Bouquet of Stories, Thoughts, and Memories (about people who influenced my life and it will give you lots to think about, plus, it makes a terrific gift.

Reviews

[Marina Osipova · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vivid, thrilling memoir
I’ve been in love with Roeder’s writing since I read We Don’t Talk About That, the first book in her memoir series. After turning the last page of The Flight Into The Unknown, I knew I’d be impatiently waiting for the series finale, Set Sail for Life After 50 she has promised to publish later. I could talk at length about her literary talent, about the voice and style her writing carries (it’s brilliant) yet you’ll discover it for yourself from the very first page when you open her books. The emotions her prose evokes! That’s what makes her books unforgettable, that’s what takes the reader on the journey! I lived through every episode of her life; I experienced the feelings she had along the way. I laughed and cried with the author; was upset or infuriated; felt hurt and joy. This is an incredible life story of a person you’ll love and empathize with. I can highly recommend it to all fans of memoirs and just for readers interested in learning about lives of amazing, courageous, and self-motivated people.

[Afiena Kamminga · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading 'We don't Talk about That' the prequel to 'Flight into the Unknown,' I HAD to find out what kind of life was waiting for this young woman who had been through so much, yet found the strength to depart for a new life in Canada with a man she hardly knew when she married him, destined for a country that was even LESS known to her. No, it was not all a case of living 'happily ever after.' Her new life became an ongoing test of strength and determination, developed while growing up surrounded by hardship and horror in warn torn Germany, on the refugee trail, and during years of living in East Germany under the communist DDR regime. The qualities of character forged in those years enabled her to never give up and, eventually, find a loving relationship and well-earned retirement on Canada's beautiful West Coast. Fast paced, entertaining writing leading to an ending that is thoroughly satisfying and adds new layers to our understanding of the human condition.

[J.P. McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Harsh Reality

The first book in Giselle Roeder’s memoir told the harrowing story of her childhood, World War II, her displacement, and the horrors she endured as a refugee. This second book tells the next installment of her life’s story, her decision to emigrate to Canada.

Flight Into the Unknown is another instructive account, this one of the European immigrant experience in Canada. Roeder recalls in striking detail her experiences as a new wife and stepmother in a country where she didn’t speak the language or know its customs. Roeder describes a life rich in love, success and travel, and the great price she paid for it.

This is an enjoyable memoir about a woman who has lived an interesting life, overcame significant obstacles, and grew stronger for it. I look forward to reading the third and final installment when it’s ready.

[Heide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book, I read her first book, too and I just could not stop reading them. So many things reminded me of my childhood, even though I never experienced those "Stolpersteine" in my life.
I admired her throughout these books. So many accomplishments in her life- !

[David John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after reading Giselle's previous book " We Don't Talk About That" That book reminded me of another similar book The Diary of Anne Frank" read by millions and made into a movie. Like Anne Frank's Diary, Giselle's first book is a similar thrilling, frightening and heart wrenching book about her and her family experiencing the horrors of WW 2. Flight into the Unknown picks up from the first book and details Giselle's experience as an immigrant in Canada. Like her first book this is also one I couldn't put down. Her life in Canada wasn't easy as she faces and overcomes many obstacles . The book is fast paced and reads like an adventure novel as Giselle takes the reader along sharing her experiences as she builds a life for herself and her family in Canada. I highly recommend both books.

[Diana Southey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading both “We Don’t Talk About That” and “Flight into the Unknown”. There are very few books I can read nonstop without putting down, but Giselle's books are so interesting and well-written. Her life story and how she handled the challenges is so inspiring! After reading “We Don’t Talk About That” and attending her book reading at the local library a few years ago, I’ve been anxiously awaiting this sequel. It did not disappoint. I received “Flight into the Unknown” for Christmas and again, could not put it down! Though life threw you many challenges, you handled them with grace and dignity. Thank you for bringing your story to light. I look forward to reading about the next chapter of your life.