Florence Reiss Kraut writes sweeping, multi-generational family sagas, drawing inspiration from her own large, vibrant family. Her deep understanding of human relationships, honed over decades as a clinician and therapist, informs her nuanced exploration of family dynamics and the intricate tapestry of life. Through her fiction, Kraut delves into the enduring connections and profound stories that emerge from shared experiences and the passage of time. Her work offers readers an intimate look at the complexities of love, loss, and the search for meaning within the heart of the family.
Seeking refuge from harm for both themselves and their progeny, Ida and her daughter Bessie flee a pogrom in Ukraine for America-but once there, family secrets, betrayals, and mistakes made in the name of love undermine the lives of their children and grandchildren. Eventually, they all must find the courage to forgive and take comfort in the bonds of family.
Family, romance and gangsters support and thwart Golda, Ben, and Morty from achieving their dreams: Golda gives up independence to marry her widowed brother-in-law, Ben, and care for baby Morty; later, Ben's business mistakes cause financial disaster, forcing Morty to bargain with gangsters and sacrifice his love and career-and perhaps the ability to ever go home again-to save his father.