IT’S NOT ABOUT MY BOOK
IT’S NOT ABOUT MY BOOk?
How about that statement?
After spending the last 3 years pouring my heart out into my laptop—often in anguish, sometimes through tears, and despite doubt—I fully acknowledge that my book being published is not an event. It’s a personal achievement I am proud of. No doubt. But so what? Almost 300,000 books are published in the US, annually. That’s over 800 books a day! How many of them are an “event”? The statistics are against the books and their authors.
Since its publication on November 15, 2022, I’ve been talking about Last Train to Freedom on Social Media, sharing Amazon reviews and the reviews from my editors—all praising my writing and the book. I am immeasurably grateful for each one. The reviews bring more attention to the book. But why is that important? If my book isn’t an “event,” and it’s not about the book, what is it about? This question has been on my mind, and I share the answer here.
IT’S NOT ABOUT MY BOOK. IT’S ABOUT YOU.
A mother of a first-born American who feels like an outsider among her son’s friends’ parents.
A grandmother who asks her 6-year-old grandson to teach her the alphabet and read the street signs.
A father who’s reprimanded by his son’s 7th-grade teacher for helping his son solve an algebra problem “the wrong way, not how it’s taught in America.”
A 1st generation American who is embarrassed that her immigrant parents try to feed her friends as soon as they come through the door.
A third-generation American who hasn’t had a chance to ask her parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents about what it was like to start their lives over.
An American who lost perspective of the goodness of this country because it’s not perfect.
YOU, MY DEAR READERS, have been EXPRESSING WHAT Last train to freedom is about and why.
A former colleague said that after reading “Last Train to Freedom,” she better understood her Chinese immigrant parents and their story.
“[Your book] has flooded my mind with my own memories of leaving Leningrad with my parents in 1978,” another person reflected,
“I, too, had many of the same experiences,” a woman wrote, “and my family immigrated from Italy in the 1900s.”
“I was friends with a couple who came from Lithuania in the 1960s. After reading your book, I understood why they were adamant about not being called Russians.”
“You didn’t just write your own story—this is everyone’s story.”
“I was wondering why so many Jews from the USSR put up a Christmas tree on New Year…”
“I never knew that people who speak with an accent could be self-conscious… I understand now.”
“Your book is not about the Jews; it’s about all people. My ancestors are Italians, but it’s about me, too.”
“[Your book] has opened my eyes to how Jews were treated in the USSR…”
“We should appreciate America the way people who come here from other countries do. Your book is a good reminder of that.”
“Our Thanksgivings were just like yours. The gnocchi was a must. And we made lasagna at Christmas. “
“Amazing that Jews can be discriminated against and serve in the military for a country that does not respect them!”
“Dear Galina,… the story of your life doesn’t belong only to you now. It touches the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of reading it and reliving their journey with you and your family.
Last Train to Freedom is a true story about an immigrant family coming to America and starting life anew. My deepest hope is that my story will touch you in some small way, bringing to the surface your own journey, no matter where and how your story began and where it’s headed on the path of life.
It’s not about the book. It’s about YOU. It’s about each of us.
Visit my Author tab to learn more about my memoir-writing journey.