Along the lines of dreams and visions, this book by Ursula Hegi follows the main character from Germany to the United States when he immigrates at age 13, alone, to follow his dreams. Stefan Blau yearns for America so much that he leaves his home and family and begins to scratch out a living. Initially he works in New York at a restaurant where he gains a passion for cooking. After a kitchen fire that kills his friend, Stefan leaves New York and finds himself in New Hampshire which seems like the perfect place. It reminds him of his home in Germany as well as his dreams of what the United States would look like.
Stefan buys a hotel which he builds into a large apartment building. It is the biggest, grandest building in town. Stefan marries two American women and has a single child with each before losing them. Stefan eventually visit Germany and ends up marrying a lifelong friend so that she can be the mother of his children. She also has a child with him and this family struggles together. Stefan’s first two children always feel a little out of place with a father so busy with his business and their German stepmother. Robert, the youngest, wants desperately for the family to get along together and tries to keep the family and the family business together.
The Vision of Emma Blau follows three generations and shows the cultural pulls and strains of being an immigrant trying to fit into a new place. Ursula Hegi is a wonderful author and the characters are well developed. The story flowed but yet there were twists and turns that I didn’t quite expect. I loved it and hope to read more by Ursula Hegi.
20/08/2010 at 9:55 pm Permalink
Sounds like a lovely and fluid read — sometimes I can really get into those sweeping novels of generations and dreams… so beautiful to get swept up in it!