How to Make a Life: A Novel

By: Florence Reiss Kraut

Narrated by: Justine Reiss

“An engaging and heartfelt portrayal of intergenerational trauma and hope." (Kirkus Reviews)

When Ida and her daughter Bessie flee a catastrophic pogrom in Ukraine for America in 1905, they believe their emigration will ensure that their children and grandchildren will be safe from harm. But choices and decisions made by one generation have ripple effects on those who come later, and in the decades that follow, family secrets, betrayals, and mistakes made in the name of love threaten the survival of the family: Bessie and Abe Weissman’s children struggle with the shattering effects of daughter Ruby’s mental illness, of Jenny’s love affair with her brother-in-law, of the disappearance of Ruby’s daughter as she flees her mother’s legacy, and of the accidental deaths of Irene’s husband and granddaughter.

A sweeping saga that follows three generations from the tenements of Brooklyn through WWII, from Woodstock to India, and from Spain to Israel, How to Make a Life is the story of a family who must learn to accept each other’s differences or risk cutting ties with the very people who anchor their place in the world.

©2020 Florence Reiss Kraut (P)2021 Florence Reiss Kraut

Engaging family story

Good story of the generations of a family’s trials, love, struggles, and courage through the years. I can relate as a first generation Filipino-American as our family is now seeing fourth and fifth generations!
The narration by Justine Reiss added to the emotions of the characters.

Hold Fast to Family, History and Culture - Immigration is Not For the Faint of Heart

How To Make A Life takes us into the lives of an immigrant family who sought refuge and the hope of a better life in America, after surviving horrific murders and torment in their homeland. Chapters move us along the journey, giving us dates and locations, as members, marry, move away, and live life in the new country. Through it all, there's constant emphasis on the familial bond, history and cultural roots. I like the fact that, the author did not sugarcoat the family's history. but allowed the characters to be real and vulnerable in their pain and in their joy. The narrator, Justine Reiss, did a phenomenal job of bringing each character to life and making them so personable. Her performance truly touched my heart and made the scenes more vivid and memorable. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Excellent narration!!!

I really enjoyed the narration of this book. A great first novel. Discussion group with the author took the book from great to a higher level.

CAPTIVATING

Brilliantly composed! The narrator is amazing how she glides back and forth between the narration and the characters!

From tragedy grows a legacy

Love, loss, faithfulness, betrayal, happiness and disappointment. The things that define a family.
This was an enjoyable travel through time discovering all the unique individuals that made up this fascinating family. This family experiences tragedy, moves to America, and through difficulties and perseverance develops a unique and interesting family. Justine Reiss brings them to life through her marvelous narration