Compelling, Wonderful Book

J.B. Harris’ The Immigrant’s Wife is a great read. It takes a Romeo and Juliet premise and stretches it to expose how prejudice can tear apart a family and redemptive love can build a new one. As an English teacher, I was blown away by the author’s distinctive voice and her ability to fashion a compelling, fast-moving romantic tale that accurately depicts the early 1900’s. The characters are vividly drawn, and the reader becomes swept up in their lives. The author immerses the reader in the heroine’s life and poignantly shows the difficulties a woman abandoned by her husband would face. I have previously read descriptions of Tuberculosis sanitariums and found Harris depicted the one in the book accurately, and she did a great job with all the historical details. The reader can visualize everything: descriptions of homes, trolleys, streets, clothing, tenements, etc. pull the reader into the time. This book truly is a “tour de force.” It is a powerful, memorable, and incredibly enjoyable book. I highly recommend it! This is the type of novel that you do not want to end. The reader will savor it and eagerly pass it on to many friends!

"The Immigrant's Wife" tells the story of a young American woman named Anna who marries a Greek immigrant in the early 1900’s, and the hardships they faced defying societal standards of the day. When her husband mysteriously disappears, she must raise their child alone and without the support of her family. The author delivers a tale about finding strength and hope against unsurmountable odds. The characters are real and engaging and the dialog is spot on. I highly recommend for readers who enjoy sweeping, character driven dramas with a strong female protagonists.

The Immigrant’s Wife is a novel with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are vividly portrayed, and the reader will feel their joy, love, suffering, and at times desperation. Throughout the novel, as the characters struggle with prejudice, illness, and poverty, there are references to the promise of the 20th century that are yet to be realized.
Anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction will find The Immigrant’s Wife a novel difficult to put down.

A well-researched historical novel regarding daunting circumstances in a dangerous time when tuberculosis threatened the American population. The characters are well-drawn and the tale is haunting and compelling. I recommend this book to readers who appreciate informative and atmospheric historical fiction.

A deftly written romance with its feet firmly planted in historical fiction. Harris weaves a poignant, very human tale of endurance and hope in the face of xenophobia, illness, and poverty. Each character feels alive and cared for and the romance sings throughout the pages, even in the darkest of moments. It moves quickly and is written with immense care and grace. I highly recommend this polished debut.