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A review by zabcia
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
3.0
75%
While I personally did not immigrate, my parents did, and as a first-generation Polish American I definitely felt like I could relate to this. While it wasn't as extreme of an experience for me as for Vera (no Russian camp), I remember growing up with un-American foods/customs/speech that made other kids act like real pricks. Vera captured that feeling of isolation, loneliness, and disappointment SO well.
I appreciate that the book didn't have a classic happy ending in which everyone suddenly turns nice and all is well in the world, because that's just not how it is in real life, and it was validating to have that acknowledged.
That being said, I do wish there was a little more Russian pride. The book touches on some of the religious customs in a positive tone, but overall you don't really get the feel that there's any appreciation for the culture, which I find to be a shame. I understand (trust me, I do) that the cultural difference is what brought pain in the first place, and that it would be easier to resent and reject it, but it's so important to respect your roots and I wish that was conveyed a bit more.
While I personally did not immigrate, my parents did, and as a first-generation Polish American I definitely felt like I could relate to this. While it wasn't as extreme of an experience for me as for Vera (no Russian camp), I remember growing up with un-American foods/customs/speech that made other kids act like real pricks. Vera captured that feeling of isolation, loneliness, and disappointment SO well.
I appreciate that the book didn't have a classic happy ending in which everyone suddenly turns nice and all is well in the world, because that's just not how it is in real life, and it was validating to have that acknowledged.
That being said, I do wish there was a little more Russian pride. The book touches on some of the religious customs in a positive tone, but overall you don't really get the feel that there's any appreciation for the culture, which I find to be a shame. I understand (trust me, I do) that the cultural difference is what brought pain in the first place, and that it would be easier to resent and reject it, but it's so important to respect your roots and I wish that was conveyed a bit more.