When We Were Strangers is such an apt title for anyone leaving their home town never to return as a resident. Even in our United States we qualify our acquaintances. "Are they from our town."Irma's struggles seem cruel and incomprehensibly difficult. She was uneducated, not pretty, non English speaking and a woman. Doctors were still using leaches. Consider how far we've come in the field of medicine. Everything was harder. Irma was a paragon of strength because she had no choice. Still she remained hopeful for the final good fortune that awaited her. this story of an immigrant girl in the late 1870s-80s is historical fiction and a glorious example of same. I was so involved in the story I barely realized the historical events occurring. Irma grabs you and takes you with her on an exciting journey. Don't know how I would have fared had I had to come to this country and make a life for myself. Very poignant and sweet, but there's not so sweet also. I am becoming a fan of Pamela Schoenwaldt and recommend her writing.
Good story took turns I didn't expect. Kept my attention and would recommend reading this book.
—angl961014
Very good, I loved the journey of this woman to America.
—dove
Such tzurris! A good read of immigrant experience
—asta
