The Story Of...

by Shirley B. Novack

This is the story of Jacob Kalinsky, born in Koretz, Poland, in 1904 to a mean-tempered tyrant of a father and a sweet and loving mother. At the age of twelve, Jacob's mother, Sarah, dies, and Jacob, along with his nine-year-old brother, is sent to live in the care of a brothel run by a loving madam named Jordanna.



It takes Jacob's father three long years to send for his sons. During that time, Jacob suffers many indignities, but when he was raped by a Polish soldier, it molds his life. The shame of this event remains his secret, never to be shared with anyone. That is, until a day, many years later in America, fate brings the Polish soldier back into Jacob's life.







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275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2022

Reviews

[Jeffrey Zion · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story Of....... is a powerful and emotionally gripping novel about a boy’s survival through trauma, loss, and fate. Set in early 20th-century Poland and later America, the story explores the lifelong impact of childhood abuse and the haunting return of a buried past. Poignant, raw, and unforgettable, this book is a moving testament to resilience and the human spirit.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story Of .... by Shirley Novack captured me on page 1 and didn't release me until the last page and epilogue on page 249 (of the softcover book). Novack brings us to Poland in the early 1900s with the life of a small boy who lives in poverty but worse, lives with an uncaring and hateful father. Jacob and his brother are dropped off at a brothel as his father escapes Jewish persecution and flees to America. Jacob's story is beautiful, though, because his heart and soul are those of a human full of love, hope, faith, and belief in himself. He finds a will and a way to make the most of his life, which continues into the "American Dream" as he and his brother also finally are shipped to American. This book shows how immigrants "made" the American dream despite hardships through determination and true grit. Yet, life is not all joy for Jacob. His past finds him and almost destroys the life he built. Wonderful story building and character building. Novack's novel is based loosely on her father's life.

[Adams Hub · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author handles very difficult themes with sensitivity and strength. Jacob’s childhood experiences and the way they shape his life later are explored with deep psychological insight. It’s one of those rare books that make you stop and think about humanity, forgiveness, and fate. A masterpiece.