The Soul of a Shoemaker

by Susan Cork

Historical biography readers LOVE this true life Croatian story.

"The Soul of a Shoemaker" is a touching and inspiring tale of one man's journey from oppression to freedom. Set in 1950s Yugoslavia, it chronicles the life of master cobbler Frank Katana, who was forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to leave everything he knew and loved behind and flee to Canada to escape a brutal communist regime. Despite his hardships in building a new life and longing for his homeland, Frank persevered, driven by his passion for shoemaking and unwavering determination to succeed.

Join us as we follow Frank's journey from apprenticing with shoemakers after the war to his escape to freedom in Canada and his remarkable achievements as a shoe empire builder. This book is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the unrelenting pursuit of a better life.

Discover the heart-wrenching journey of a shoemaker and the indomitable spirit that drives him forward. Uncover the tale of Frank Katana in "The Soul of a Shoemaker." Be swept away by his story of courage, resilience, and triumph. We invite you to share your thoughts and insights with the world by writing a review of this unforgettable memoir. Your voice has the power to inspire others and keep Frank's legacy alive. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of this story and leave your mark on history. Grab your copy of "The Soul of a Shoemaker" and join us on this incredible journey.

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2022

About the author

Susan is a talented creative with a passion for digital design and publishing. Her work is available on popular platforms like Amazon and POD Print on Demand sites, where she offers a variety of unique digital products. Additionally, Susan has established a trademarked brand, Adam and Marky ®, and has published planners, colouring books, and storybooks through KDP. Her company, Ginzburg Press, is a digital production company that distributes a wide range of merchandise, books, and animated short films. Susan's diverse skillset and entrepreneurial spirit have helped her to establish a strong presence in the creative industry.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has compiled family memories as well as written records to create the story of her grandfather, who ran for his life so he could escape the lack of freedom in communist Yugoslavia. If he had been caught he would have spent the rest of his life in a prison camp. The first half of the book was a real page-turner, and I found it even more fascinating because it was based on true events.

Although he had to leave his family behind, members of his extended family willingly took him in and helped him along his journey. He was determined to rise from poverty by eventually forming his own business. He also hoped that when he succeeded the woman who won his heart while in Yugoslavia would join him as his wife in his new life in Canada.

I admired the strength of the human spirit depicted in this novel and the author involved me in such a way that I felt a part of the time and challenges her grandfather had faced.

Note: I did not like the cover illustration of the book as it made the character look "hard" when I would have portrayed him more in a way that showed he was "determined" but had a good soul.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the author’s grandfather as a young man. It covers his life in communist Yugoslavia under Tito’s dictatorship, his escape and then his struggles as a poor immigrant in Canada. I was interested and somewhat invested in the story throughout. I appreciated learning a little about how hard it was to live under Tito’s oppressive communist regime, during which speaking one’s mind could lead to imprisonment. I could have done with a little background information on that.
(What I could have done without was the author’s preface in which she compares government actions during covid to living under a dictatorship. However much like laws on speed limits and seat belts, covid restrictions were an attempt to save lives, not for the political gain of an egomaniac. Big difference.)
I was provided with an ARC (thanks to the author & publisher!) and I am voluntarily posting my honest review.

[Chris Maddix · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Soul of a Shoemaker, by Susan Cork, struck my fancy for several reasons. First, I liked the play on words in the title, with the seemingly interchangeable "Soul" (the passion of the main character) and "Sole," (the part of the shoe that often needs repair) Second, the story is about escape from Marshal Tito's Yugoslavia, a piece of history which is hardly a commonplace reference these days. Third, I learned that this book is about the author's father, a fact that made the story much more endearing. Finally, in the author's preface, there is brief reference to the irony of the main character having escaped from a totalitarian regime, only to be confronted by a similar governmental overbearing reaction in response to the Covid pandemic in Canada.

The story does not disappoint. Children in 1940 Yugoslavia received beatings for late arrivals at school. Children clearly reached adulthood at a younger age at that time and place. Frank, the main character, finished elementary school at age 12, became an apprentice cobbler, but before he got started he helped build a railway. All conversation in that nation was monitored - Frank was nearly arrested for suggesting that a prison was unpleasant. When he and his cousins decide to defect, they can't speak to anyone, for fear that that person might say something about their pending departure. Frank can't even attend his father's funeral. Before leaving, Frank fell madly for Ljubica, a young lady he met at a dance. His plans changed several times. He went to Canada instead of Australia, and Toronto instead of Winnipeg. His determination allowed him to set up a shoe business, get partners, endure a proxy wedding, and finally be reunited with Ljubica.

I assume that there were literally thousands of Franks entering the West in the 50s. This is the rather simple tale of one of them, told with just enough detail to capture the author's love for her father.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family legacies are crucial to document

Not only for the family members to better understand their loved ones, but also to teach the younger generations about their lineage and values. So much history is lost when we live in the present, we tend to forget that the past can also influence choices we make in and for the future.
A personal example:
My mother she worked in a clinic before I was born. While pregnant, her employer moved her out of the lab to the front desk. There, she dealt with all sorts of situations, including talking to people involved in child abuse cases. Hearing her stories and her stance against such an atrocity helped shape who I am. If she had kept that part of her life hidden inside, I would have missed out on such an important life lesson. And that would have decreased my awareness and involvement in domestic violence causes.
Sharing even one small part of our lives can have a tremendous effect on others.


Thank you to the author for sharing her father’s story with us. We are now richer for knowing his past and we are also now responsible for making the world a better place in his memory.

[Sindy Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this biographical story, you can glimpse a normal person, and therefore close to the reader, but at the same time, brave and with an unbreakable spirit in the face of the adversities he had to face. Frank's live shows that with patience, intelligence, goodwill, and a bit of luck, a better quality of life can be achieved, seeking that favorable environment for personal and family improvement. Reading it motivates you to give the best of you and not settle or let yourself be defeated by the first refusal.
______________
En esta historia biográfica, se puede vislumbrar a una persona normal, y por eso cercana al lector, pero al mismo tiempo, valiente y con un espíritu inquebrantable ante las adversidades que le tocó afrontar. La vida de Frank muestra que con paciencia, inteligencia, buena voluntad y algo de suerte, se puede lograr una mejor calidad de vida, buscando ese entorno favorable para la superación personal y familiar. Leerlo motiva a dar lo mejor de uno mismo y no conformarse o dejarse vencer a la primera negativa.

[Dominique Valiquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book meant a lot to me. From the moment I read the little blurb, I just knew it was a book I needed to read. And it didn't disappoint.
Coming from a family myself who immigrated to Canada in search of a better life. This book brought a new way of looking at what some families have to go to to find their freedom.
Frank never gave up. Strong and determined to bring his family from a communist country to a free land. This story isn't just a story about hope and new beginnings but of love and hardships and knowing that with family anything is possible.
Without giving anything away. I adored this book so much. I didn't want to go put it down. It was hard at times when I had to close it and get back to my everyday life. When I finished reading, I was happy for everything that was accomplished and the success of that family. This book is full of emotion. It's a well paced read and enjoyable.
I recommend this book to anyone. Anyone who wants to try something new or who loves reading about real-life stories and the empowerment within them

[Becky Durstenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a quick easy read and well written. We get to know Frank pretty well and are rooting for him. It has a sweet love story tucked in there, too. The background for Frank's adventure gives us some history and political background of Yugoslavia that was interesting and sad.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Christine Weald · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting family account of a hardworking dedicated father who wanted freedom from oppressive restrictions in a country where he could not freely express his thoughts. The author, his daughter, writes about his struggles, his determination to excel at his chosen trade, and then his journey to a better country and to freedom.
As an account it reads well, it doesn’t dwell on his poverty or long hours of working, instead it captures his positivity. Although an easy and enjoyable read, the author had another reason for writing the account. She likened the oppressive and restrictive environment her Father sought to escape to the present controlling environment of today’s government.
I received a complimentary copy from the author via Storyorigin and recommend reading this and leave my review voluntarily.

[Julie Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Cork’s Nonfiction novel, The Soul of a Shoemaker tells the stirring story of her father, Frank Katana and his journey from former Yugoslavia to Canada. It is a fascinating story of tyranny, romance, independence, economics, sacrifice and finding one's niche, success, and personal happiness.

The book largely emphasizes three specific points in Katana’s life: His life in rural Mali Bukovec and training as a cobbler, his growing discontent with the Communist system in Yugoslavia and attempts to escape it, and emigration to Canada and building a life, career, and family in this new country.

Katana's time in Yugoslavia focuses on daily life. When he couldn't find training as a cobbler in his village, he had to commute to a nearby town for training. His shoe making skills came in handy when he and his friend's shoes broke and he repaired them.

There are fascinating details about the community in which Katana lived. He was part of the volunteer firefighting crew and was called in to help neighbors whose homes were on fire and needed rescuing. At a village gathering, he fell in love with Ljubica, a local woman. Even though they spent very little time together, Katana was in love enough to imagine a life with her and write to her after he left the country, certain that she would move to be with him.

The focus on the mundanity of daily life in Katana's village contrasts with the oppressive authoritarian Yugoslavian government surrounding it. Katana wasn't a rebel looking to fight against the system. He was just someone who wanted to survive within it. He said one thing, disagreed with them one time and was brought in for interrogation.

It's an eye opening experience to read about such a dictatorship and should remind people that in such a government there is no room for disagreement. It's something that many who want or think an authoritarian government is the way to go, such as those who want a certain Project from the Heritage Foundation and other allies of a certain Presidential candidate to come to pass, should remember. No matter how loyal a person thinks they are, no matter how much that they think they will fit in because they aren't the main target that is being marginalized, an authoritarian government will eventually affect them. All it takes is a wrong word, a slight criticism, a defense of someone else and that person will become the next target. Many countries’ cemeteries and grave sites are made up of people who thought that they would be safe from tyranny and authoritarianism and who at worst initially encouraged and supported it and at best looked the other way when they were warned.

Katana’s escape attempts are particularly suspenseful and are almost reminiscent of a thriller. One chapter focused on Katana hopping on a train fabricating a story about visiting a lover. Unfortunately, his lie was discovered by an officer and he had to make a jump for it off of the train. He then had to flee on foot to the countryside until he practically staggered into Austria.

Katana eventually settled in Canada where he went through many steps and missteps before he could earn a decent living and send for Ljubica. One of his first employers refused to pay him the full amount of his salary. His first shoe repair business folded. His second got off to a rough start because of his indolent partners who cared more about cutting corners and getting rich than providing quality footwear. Finally, he managed to get them in line and built enough money to be comfortable and secure.

Because of their long distant relationship, Katana's romance with Ljubica is underwritten. However, it does show their commitment to each other to maintain that closeness even while living in different countries and Ljubica still living in oppressive Yugoslavia. Many times Katana received word that she was on her way only to be detained. He went through a peculiar wedding ceremony where he and Ljubica were married en absentia, with a female relative standing in place for her so they would technically be married. Their reunion and official wedding was a moment of triumph and love.

The Soul of a Shoemaker is rich with detail and emotion. It's the type of story that can make Readers laugh, cry, sigh, tense, fume, and clap sometimes within a few chapters. It has a lot of soul and technically a lot of sole. Katana wasn't a famous or notable man but his daughter knew how to bring him to life so that anyone who reads his story will know all about him.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting with the title, I loved everything about this book. Some have criticized the author's comparison at the beginning of the book to history and present day events, but that is not what the book is about. The book is about her actual father, and I could not put the book down. Others criticized her for not giving enough historical context, but to me, the beauty of a book is to give your mind something to research later on, and I knew very little about Yugoslavia or Croatia. I would stop and share things I was reading with my husband, and together we learned a little bit more about the government. This book was not meant to be a history lesson, instead it is a beautiful story based on the true events of the author's father. I teared up at the end, knowing he had dementia in his later years, and so thankful that she was able to gather all these stories before he died. What a wonderful legacy he has left, and thanks to Mrs. Cork's book, her children have this story to pass down to their own children and grandchildren. I would personally love to hear a story about her grandmother next, and what was going on with her. I feel like her story would be even better, and I would definitely read it.

[Amit Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Soul of a Shoemaker by Susan Cork is a tale of Susan's father's resilience and perseverance. This is the story of a daring escape from Communist Yugoslavia. This is a fascinating story, an homage, and a retelling of Susan's father's journey to Canada with absolutely nothing in his pockets and how he built something spectacular. Born early in 1932, in the Croatian part of Yugoslavia, to parents who were farmers, Frank Katana apprenticed with shoemakers after the devastating war.
One of the most striking aspects of Frank's story is his unwavering determination. Throughout the memoir, his fierce resolve shines through the pages, urging readers to continue on this journey with him. Despite the numerous challenges he faces, Frank never gives up on his dreams. Cork effectively captures the depth of emotion felt by an entire generation through the lens of one man's pursuit of personal fulfillment.
The Soul of a Shoemaker" is an emotionally charged and enthralling account of a man's extraordinary life. Through skillful storytelling and a seamless blend of memoir and novel, Cork takes readers on an exciting journey of bravery, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life.

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really moved me. The Soul of a Shoemaker tells the true story of Frank Katana, a talented cobbler who had to leave everything behind in 1950s Yugoslavia to escape a harsh communist regime. What starts as a quiet life devoted to his craft becomes a powerful journey of survival, reinvention, and hope.

Frank’s story is inspiring—not just because he built a successful life in Canada but because he never gave up on who he was. His love for shoemaking, determination to keep going no matter what, and a deep sense of purpose carry him through some challenging times. You can feel his longing for home, pride in his work, and courage in every chapter.

This isn’t just a story about shoes—it’s about resilience, identity, and the immigrant experience. It made me reflect on what it really means to start over and how much strength it takes to do it with grace and heart.

Highly recommend! Frank’s legacy is one worth remembering.

Try it.

[Elizabeth B Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this well written heartfelt story, Susan Cork recreates for us first her father’s harrowing escape from Tito’s authoritarian regime in Yugoslavia and then his tireless struggle in a new world (Canada) to create the life he dreams of.

From many stories gathered from relatives and friends, Susan Cork has created a narrative of courage, determination, family love, and romantic love. The narrative is told simply from her father’s point of view, and Cork’s writing style is perfectly suited to this subject, never distracting or jarring. Any father would be proud to have his story told as beautifully as this.

[Kathleen Van Lierop · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Soul of a Shoemaker, written by Susan Cork is a fantastic and personal book
about her grandfather.

Soul of a Shoemaker" is a compelling and moving memoir that sheds light
on a lesser-known chapter of history through the lens of one family's experience.
Susan Cork’s heartfelt and detailed writing makes it an unforgettable read that
honours the enduring strength of the human spirit.

"Soul of a Shoemaker" stands out for its emotional resonance, vivid storytelling,
historical depth, and inspiring message, making it a rewarding read for those
interested in personal memoirs and historical narratives.

Without any doubt I give a 5 star rating for this fantastic story!

[Het · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I understand the need to preserve personal history through such biographies, I don't agree with the preface. So while I enjoyed reading about a different time in a different place, I felt at some places it was over simplified and at other places there was too much explanation like going to meet Luca's mother was so rushed over. Needs a bit more balance.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first few sentences, I was interested in Frank's story. I wanted to know more about this person, and I sensed that the story was close to the author's heart.

This didn't take me long to read, but it was beautifully written. I warmed to the author's representation of Frank - he seemed kind, modest, and very likeable. It did warm my heart to read this.

[Swati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book was amazing...If you read it continuesly "The Soul of a Shoemaker" is a story of hopes. Every chapter was amazing and I never once felt the need to skip paragraphs or chapters.. . I appreciated the way author convey the storytelling .It stands as a powerful testament to the author’s love for her father in documenting his dramatic, touching, and rewarding life story.
Must recommended book