Description
Discover an inspiring tale of resilience and ambition in 'All I Could Never Be.' This captivating novel follows Fanya, a young Polish Jew navigating life in 1930s America. Living in the bustling Lower East Side, she attends a transformative lecture by the renowned educator Henry Scott, who advocates for a society where individuals are judged by their merits rather than their backgrounds. Driven by impulse and determination, Fanya approaches Scott with her autobiography, sparking an intense intellectual relationship that leads to her evolution as a writer. As she forges her own path, Fanya confronts the societal barriers of her time, ultimately choosing to embrace her identity as an immigrant in America. With vivid storytelling, this heartfelt novel explores themes of Jewish assimilation, the immigrant experience, and the pursuit of individuality amidst cultural challenges. Fanya’s journey embodies the aspirations of countless immigrants seeking a better life, making this book a poignant reflection of history that resonates with today's struggles. This edition, published by W W Norton & Company, contains 256 pages of narrative that will motivate and inspire readers everywhere. Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Condition: BRAND NEW. ISBN: 9780892554652. Year: 2021.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780892554652
Year: 2021
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 256
Description:
Fanya, a young Polish Jew, living and working on the Lower East Side, attends a lecture by a famous educator, Henry Scott, that seems meant specifically for her. Scott calls America "the meeting ground of all the nations of the world" and exhorts Americans to "blaze a trail to a future where people would be judged not by membership in a group . . . but as individuals on their own merits." On an impulse, Fanya goes to Scott's university office and boldly asks him to read the autobiography she has written. After a highly charged exchange, the rational, older, American professor is won over by the young, passionate, Jewish immigrant. She is his fascination; he is her "symbol of all she could never be." Scott becomes her mentor, leading Fanya to success as an author. He also expresses romantic interest in her, but ultimately rebuffs her socially. Although she is crushed, instead of returning to the ghetto to live among "her own people," as so many before her have done, Fanya chooses to advance further into America. She buys a house in a quiet New England village, where, eventually, another newcomer becomes an unexpected soul mate-and she prepares to make a home.
This moving portrait of a vibrant and talented immigrant woman is based on the author's true relationship with John Dewey, the important and famous educator who was her most significant influence. It depicts the workings of American society during the 1930s, especially between the privileged class and immigrants who were striving for a better life. It is an early and optimistic story of Jewish assimilation, and grapples with issues still faced by immigrants today.
The compr
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780892554652
Year: 2021
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 256
Description:
Fanya, a young Polish Jew, living and working on the Lower East Side, attends a lecture by a famous educator, Henry Scott, that seems meant specifically for her. Scott calls America "the meeting ground of all the nations of the world" and exhorts Americans to "blaze a trail to a future where people would be judged not by membership in a group . . . but as individuals on their own merits." On an impulse, Fanya goes to Scott's university office and boldly asks him to read the autobiography she has written. After a highly charged exchange, the rational, older, American professor is won over by the young, passionate, Jewish immigrant. She is his fascination; he is her "symbol of all she could never be." Scott becomes her mentor, leading Fanya to success as an author. He also expresses romantic interest in her, but ultimately rebuffs her socially. Although she is crushed, instead of returning to the ghetto to live among "her own people," as so many before her have done, Fanya chooses to advance further into America. She buys a house in a quiet New England village, where, eventually, another newcomer becomes an unexpected soul mate-and she prepares to make a home.
This moving portrait of a vibrant and talented immigrant woman is based on the author's true relationship with John Dewey, the important and famous educator who was her most significant influence. It depicts the workings of American society during the 1930s, especially between the privileged class and immigrants who were striving for a better life. It is an early and optimistic story of Jewish assimilation, and grapples with issues still faced by immigrants today.
The compr