Tazia and Gemma
Tazia and Gemma by Ann S. Epstein, published by Vine Leaves Press on May 29, 2018, is a historical fiction novel that spans the years from 1911 to 1961. The story unfolds through the perspectives of Tazia, a pregnant seventeen-year-old Italian immigrant and survivor of the Triangle Waist Company fire, and her daughter Gemma, who embarks on a journey to uncover her father’s identity. As Tazia migrates westward to support herself and her daughter, the narrative explores themes of cultural heritage and the complexities of identity.
Readers will find a rich exploration of the tension between assimilation and honoring one’s roots, as Tazia’s past and Gemma’s quest intertwine. The novel addresses the struggles for self-respect amidst discrimination and challenging work conditions, reflecting both historical and contemporary issues. With 280 pages, this edition presents a poignant tale of motherhood, identity, and the enduring impact of personal history.
Official synopsis Publisher
Spanning 1911 to 1961, Tazia and Gemma is told from the perspective of an unwed mother, whose tale moves forward in time, and her daughter, whose search for her father moves backward. Tazia, a pregnant seventeen-year-old Italian immigrant and survivor of the Triangle Waist Company fire, flees New York, leaving her married lover to think she miscarried the baby he urged her to abort. To support herself and her daughter Gemma, Tazia takes low-wage jobs as she migrates westward. Gemma, now fifty, embarks on an eastward journey to find her father, eventually tracing her roots to Italy. In the end, Tazia no longer needs to escape her history, while Gemma finds that her identity leads back to her mother. The narrative illuminates the tension between assimilation versus honoring one’s heritage, and confronts the struggle for self-respect in the face of discrimination and demeaning work conditions–issues both timely and timeless.
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