The Immigrant Experience
From the four corners of the world come these stories about the immigrant experience. Whether following family or chasing after dreams, these characters are living with one foot in each world: their new home and the home left behind. Exploring themes of nostalgia, homesickness, and cultural identity, these books give us a glimpse of the lives of immigrants and their families through the generations. All of these titles are located in the Adult Fiction section of the Library unless otherwise noted.
Ali, Monica. Brick Lane. 2003. Also available: Large Type, CD
Alvarez, Julia. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. 1992. Also available: CD
Arkin, Frieda. Hedwig and Berti. 2005.
Canin, Ethan. Carry Me Across the Water. 2001.
Danticat, Edwidge. Breath, Eyes, Memory. 1994. Also available: Large Type
Delbanco, Nicholas. What Remains. 2000.
Gaffney, Elizabeth. Metropolis. 2005.
Garcia, Cristina. Monkey Hunting. 2003.
Gardner, Mary. Boat People. 1995.
Haber, Leo. The Red Heifer. 2001.
Hegi, Ursula. The Vision of Emma Blau. 2000.
Hemon, Aleksandar. Nowhere Man: The Pronek Fantasies. 2002.
Huo, T.C. Land of Smiles. 2000.
Jen, Gish. Typical American. 1991.
Kelman, James. You Have to Be Careful in the Land of the Free. 2004.
Koenig, Joseph. Little Odessa. 1988. (Mystery KOE).
Lee, Chang-Rae. Native Speaker. 1995.
Littell, Robert. The Visiting Professor. 1994. (Mystery LIT).
Medina, Pablo. The Cigar Roller. 2005.
Nattel, Lilian. The Singing Fire. 2004.
Obejas, Achy. Memory Mambo. 1996.
O’Connor, Joseph. Star of the Sea. 2002.
Proulx, Annie. Accordion Crimes. 1996.
Puzo, Mario. The Fortunate Pilgrim. 1997. Also available: Large Type
Roth, Henry. Call It Sleep. 1991. Also available: Large Type, Cassette
Sethi, Robbie Clipper. The Bride Wore Red: Tales of a Cross-Cultural Family. 1996.
Shamsie, Kamila. Kartography. 2002.
Shearer, Cynthia. The Celestial Jukebox. 2005.
Shteyngart, Gary. The Russian Debutante’s Handbook. 2002. Also available: CD
Stefaniak, Mary Helen. The Turk and My Mother. 2004.
Zabytko, Irene. When Luba Leaves Home: Stories. 2003.