Set in 1902, this novel exposes the sad reality of immigration in America. Told from the perspective of a young woman, the lessons she learns are no less relevant today as they were then. A must read for anyone interested in historical fiction and the founding of the United States.
4.5 Stars

1902

Sisters Francesca and Marie Ricci are traveling from Italy to New York. Sailing in third class with 600 people on the ship in the dead of winter has been a difficult time. In addition, Marie is very ill and Francesca is hoping they won’t be turned away when they arrive.]

Alma, 21, is a German who lives with her mother, stepfather and siblings. They run a beer house. Alma enjoys learning new languages. Her stepfather is not a nice man and looks at her like she is not earning her keep. So, he gets her a job at Ellis Island. Shocked by this, Alma steps up and takes on the job.

When Alma meets Francesca and Marie, she is shocked at how sick Marie is and gets her hospitalized right away. When she passes away, Francesca is left floundering as she has no one to sponsor her in America. However, she finds a position as cook to a wealthy family on Park Avenue who loves her cooking. But, she soon realizes she has a difficult problem.

Alma and Francesca become great friends and help one another through their trials and tribulations.

This book touches on the desperation of the immigrants coming to America and how they were treated at Ellis Island. Mostly, their treatment is good but there are many who chose to cheat them and abuse them as well. Their story is one of sadness but also of strength and the dream of coming to America where they can work and be free.

Don’t miss this book. It is touching and shows how life was in that time period. How far we can come.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I think many times in history classes and in fiction we romanticize Ellis Island as a refuge for immigrants – that if they could just make it there they could breathe a sigh of relief and enter the grand haven of America. The reality, though, is if they survived the harrowing journey in steerage Ellis Island was still a huge hurdle to overcome – and in some ways even more heartbreaking than the ship voyage to get there. Even if there hadn’t been corruption at every level, they could still be sent back on the next ship home if they were ill or if they didn’t have a job or someone already living in America to take responsibility for them or if their political stances were on the ‘do not allow’ list. Imagine being crammed into the bottom level of a ship with hardly room to breathe, amidst sickness and filth, with scant food or water, for weeks on end … arriving at your version of ‘the Promised Land’ … and then being sent back home or, even worse, separated from your family and sent back home.

Francesca and Alma are two young women who cross paths at Ellis Island, a ‘chance’ meeting that changes both their lives. One is an Italian immigrant escaping an abusive father; one is an American of German descent who is newly employed as a matron at Ellis Island. Webb’s vivid scene-setting and complex layers bring Francesca & Alma and their experiences to life on the page, touching readers’ hearts deeply in the process. The corruption and prejudice they encounter will turn your stomach, but the growth that the author fashions for these vibrant young women – their resiliency, friendship, and courage – is worth it in the end. I so enjoyed getting to know these characters. They engaged my every emotion and left me different than I was when I first began reading this compelling story.

Bottom Line: The Next Ship Home by Heather Webb is an engrossing, heartwrenching, and inspiring look ‘behind the scenes’ of Ellis Island and the immigrant experience of the early 1900s. The author’s attention to research, to history, and her touching depictions of humanity linger in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page. This isn’t an easy story to read, per se, but it’s an incredibly rewarding one.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

The first sighting of the Statue of Liberty heralded journey's end, promising a safe haven and a brighter future for those courageous enough to leave what was familiar for the unknown. For some, acceptance into America was straightforward; for others, it was an ordeal as Heather Webb so vividly portrays in her latest novel.

In The Next Ship Home, two young women, Alma Bauer and Francesca Ricci, meet in the halls of the immigration station and become friends. Alice is of German ancestry and is a newly employed matron with some linguistic skills. Francesca has just arrived from Sicily with only a few possessions and a will to succeed. Both are confined by their places in society, but are determined to create a better world for themselves.

Webb balances the good with the bad, but it is evident that the Ellis Island process was a frightening and stressful one, exacerbated by language difficulties and the fear of being denied entry for whatever reason: medical, political, or the whim of a tired, impatient, prejudiced or corrupt official. Deportation on the next ship was a cruel reality. Many would not be welcomed back to the country they had left or face greater hardships on their return. However, those with money were able to bribe their way into America. Women were subjected to abuse, paying with a different currency.

Not only does Webb highlight the experience of immigrants passing through Ellis Island, she also draws attention to how immigrants viewed and treated each other. Although seeking a fresh start, many still clung to the old rivalries and prejudices.

Lots of historical detail and events formed a colourful backdrop. The assassination of Present McKinley by an anarchist in 1901 explains the stance taken on allowing entry to those suspected of being anarchists; the building of the subway that Fritz, Alma's brother, is a part of; and President Roosevelt's inquiry into rumours of corruption at Ellis Island, which Alma witnesses first-hand and learns more of through Francesca, all feature.

A romance was nicely woven into the narrative, too, but it is the Ellis Island experience that makes this novel, my first by Heather Webb, an emotional and memorable read. It is a story that will resonate with many readers, as it did with me.

Ancestry fascinates me as well the courage immigrants displayed. They faced challenging circumstances and horrific journeys in search of a better life. Landing at Ellis Island, the crossing was perilous but the border inspectors and language barrier left them treading water trying to find their way to the shore.

Alma and Francesca's stories illustrated what life was like for women. They were pawns on society's chessboard and when they found the courage to put into play their own plans, their paths were blocked. While Francesca was facing the new world alone, Alma was drifting in a difficult family life.

Language provides power to unlock doors and connect cultures. Alma's gift of languages and dedication to education sets her apart from others. Living in a man's world, she's subjected to her stepfather's cruelty. Francesca faced starvation and deportation and feared that the only view of America she would ever glimpse was Lady Liberty.

Both Alma and Francesca long to be free. Heather Webb's pens a spellbinding story of struggling to survive while carving out their place in society. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of "The Next Ship Home" in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and Webb brings the era to life. I rooted for Alma and Francesca to succeed. Reading their stories, I want to give homage to my ancestors who passed through Ellis Island. Their courage afforded my family a better life.

Excerpt from "The Next Ship Home:"

Yearning for her first view of New York, she clutched the railing as the steamship chugged ahead at full speed. When at last the boat nosed into New York Harbor, she searched the horizon, seeking the beacon of welcome she’d longed to see since first setting sail. And there she was. Lady Liberty perched on her pedestal in a majestic pose, hailing newcomers to her shores. An American flag writhed in the icy wind beside her. Beyond, an eternal trumpet to his lips. “Attention! Everyone! Attention!”

He continued his announcement, and though Francesca could scarcely make out a word, she listened intently. At last, she understood “third class and below” and something about pushing and being tossed overboard. As a few laughs rippled through the crowd, she bit her lip in frustration. She had to practice her English.

The crew member did a short wave and stepped down from his perch. Passengers cheered again, a few launching their hats into the air. The noise drew the attention of a second-class passenger, who appeared at the tiered railing above, and with a shout of “Tallyho!” the man dropped an orange and a few coppers. As the coins and fruit tumbled through the air, several people shoved each other, crying out, and leaped after the prize. Two more gentlemen joined the man at the railing and they, too, released coins. More passengers dove into the melee. Soon, much of steerage pushed and laughed and lunged for the prizes. The energy was infectious; all were happy the journey was coming to an end.

Francesca backed away from the tangle of bodies until she felt the cool steel railing at her back. Hand on her plain straw hat, she peered up at the men dressed in fine wool suits who had started the wrestling pit in the first place. They laughed and pointed at those making fools of themselves. One man’s waste was another man’s luxury, she thought, but none of it was worth a black eye.

Yearning for her first view of New York, she clutched the railing as the steamship chugged ahead at full speed. When at last the boat nosed into New York Harbor, she searched the horizon, seeking the beacon of welcome she’d longed to see since first setting sail. And there she was. Lady Liberty perched on her pedestal in a majestic pose, hailing newcomers to her shores. An American flag writhed in the icy wind beside her.

Beyond, an eternal sweep of buildings crowded the shore. Barges, tugboats, and steamers cruised into the harbor from every direction, the sheer number boggling Francesca’s mind. She wondered where they had come from, if they transported people or goods, or if they had traveled as far as she had. She smiled for the second time that day. New York appeared impossibly grand and modern, so unlike her tiny, sea-scrubbed home, and she could hardly wait to explore it.

The noise onboard grew deafening as passengers cheered and sang, tears flowing down their cheeks. All hoped for more than the life they had left behind, and why shouldn’t they want more? Hope swept through her. She’d left the pain behind, too, and now she had nothing but a grand adventure before her, a new life. It would all work out, somehow. She knew it would.”

The Next Ship Home by Heather Webb is historical at its best. I loved the descriptions of the characters. I never knew immigrants went through the trials that this book brought out. Some of the things they went through were terrible I do not know how immigration officers could do some of these things they did.

Ellis Island has always been the symbol of welcoming immigrants into America, the “land of the free,” for their chance at a better life. Unfortunately, the system was not without its flaws - corruption in the administration, sexism, and, yes, racism was common.

In ​​𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞, we are transported back to 1902 when Francesca, a young Italian woman, arrives on Ellis Island, and Alma reports for her first day of work at the Immigration Center. Francesca, barely able to speak English, does not pass the requirements for entry into America. Alma takes note of Francesca’s plight and tries to help keep her from getting sent back to Sicily.

Each woman has to struggle against obstacles and challenges of their own, but they become friends and they bravely work together to make a difference for the generations of immigrants to come.

I loved the rich, descriptive writing and characters that make you feel as though you are walking alongside them - I was truly inspired by this novel. 𝘈 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵-𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥!

Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours @bookmarked and @msheatherwebb for a spot on tour and a gifted copy.

Well, I definitely think 2022 is the year for good historical fiction books. I’ve read so many good ones this year and The Next Ship Home is no exception. This book takes us back to the year of 1902 and to Ellis Island where Immigrants are promised a new life and a fresh start in America but are met with incredibly difficult challenges instead. I enjoyed the story development in this novel and fell hard for these characters. My favorite type of historical fiction is one that I can learn from and because The Next Ship Home is inspired by true events I learned so much through reading. The love story was so incredibly sweet as well. My only complaint is that this story is very long and sometimes wordy, but it never distracted me from the storyline.

1902 Ellis Island-Leaving Italy hoping for a better live Francesca Ricci and her sister Maria make their way to America. They have traveled as third-class passengers on a boat and the conditions were horrible. Food and water was scare, disease and rats abound. When they arrive at Ellis Island Maria is sick, but they both need to pass a medical check at Ellis Island to gain entry to America.
Alma, an aspiring linguist starts working at the immigrant processing center. She was sent to work by her stepfather but was not prepared for what she witnesses. It becomes very clear that corruption is part of the process in the decision making on who stays and who goes. The ladies meet and have to rely on each other to get through some very dark times. Who will survive? What sacrifices will each have to make?
Ellis Island was a dream for a better life and the promises were spoken. Unfortunately many immigrants did not have a smooth transition because of the corruption, expectations, disappointments, bribery and horrible conditions by many. This was a wonderful novel, and shows how people are resilient, even under the worst circumstances.

Heather Webb sets her book of historical fiction, The Next Ship Home, at the turn of the century in and around Ellis Island. The book is well-researched and true to the times. Two protagonists get almost equal billing.

There is Francesca who has come from Italy to escape an abusive situation at home and hoping for a better life in America for her and her ailing sister. She must first get help for her sister and then get through a system that is corrupt and often abusive to the immigrants. How much is she willing to pay for freedom to make her way in America?

Alma has a different but also demeaning role in her family with her stepfather making all major decisions for her. In her first independent role outside her family, she becomes a worker on Ellis Island. As she realizes she has a talent for languages, she longs to go to school to perfect that skill.

The two women find their lives intertwining as they struggle to reach their goals in a society where women have little value. They share both a harsh personal secret and stealthy activities in the corrupt system on Ellis Island. In time, they will also help each other know who is trustworthy amongst the fraudulent dealings. Their friendship gives both of them strength to face almost impossible odds.

One reviewer suggested that this novel, which came out this week on February 8th, would make a good book club selection. I agree.

I loved this historical fiction book for a variety of reasons. The plot about friendship and overcoming adversity is a great story, but the details and nuances of the time period that this book is written about truly made this a special read for me.

Thanks to Heather’s vivid descriptions, I felt the atmosphere and conditions of not only 1902 Ellis Island, but the cultural climate of New York City as well.

I felt the fear of the newly arriving immigrants. I could hear the multiple languages being spoken in every corner of the building on Ellis Island. I could imagine the tension on the streets of NYC as new immigrants and people that have lived in America only slightly longer vie for the same jobs.

I enjoyed both the main characters, Alma and Francesca. I admired Alma’s love of languages and Francesca’s spirit. I felt like both these women whose lives become intertwined because of Ellis Island is a masterful narrative.

I took a different reading approach to this one by reading the Author’s Notes and the A Conversation with the Author before beginning this book. I’m glad I read it first to get an understanding from the author in her own words about her choice to write about Ellis Island. From these notes, I got a true perspective on the detailed research that Heather did to make this book such a compelling read.

About the Book

Alma is forced to work at Ellis Island because her stepfather wants her to start bringing in outside income since she remains unmarried at over 20 years old.

Francesca arrives with her sister, Maria, on Ellis Island from Italy to escape an abusive father. Maria never leaves Ellis Island, but she begs Francesca to go make a new life in the US.

Alma and Francesca forge a friendship in a time when nationalities don’t mingle to help each other find strength and make an impact on an unscrupulous system.

I have personally been to Ellis Island a hand full of times. Its is a haunting and humbling place to visit. The history and the people that passed through its walls are still very much present. Its one of those places where you can feel the history all around you. So naturally when I saw this book I was immediately intrigued.

Here is what this book got absolutely right in my opinion. First is the physical description of Ellis Island, its buildings, the harbor, and the various ethnic neighborhoods of New York City. Even the minute descriptions of the dormitories and hospital wing is just how I remember seeing it, and imagining what it was like when it was in use. Webb describes the chaos, confusion, hopes and fears of the people that were processed through its halls with truth, compassion and empathy. We can only imagine what it must have been liked to come to this country without much more than the clothes on your back, no money, unable to speak the language, and not knowing what you will do if you aren't admitted.

Webb also describes the racism and prejudices of the time with acute accuracy. I might even argue that those same sentiments continued beyond the immigration centers, and beyond the decades of the early 20th Century. Irish stuck with the Irish, German with Germans, Italians with Italians, and none of them much liked the others. What was compelling in the story of the three main characters was that they were each an example of how direct personal experience with other cultures can change how you see people and things. It breaks down racist and prejudicial barriers.

The only thing I disliked this book, and I admit that I am reaching here and probably being a bit too nitpicky was how it ended. And not the happy ending it had, that seemed natural. But I was desperate for the Alma's family, at least Alma's mother to fully accept Francesca. Though I admit that expecting this was a reach, and not really a truthful depiction of the times and the people.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Its nice to finally have a solid story of the experience of female immigrants coming through Ellis Island. Theirs was not an easy journey.

I want to thank #netgalley, #SourcebooksLandmark and #MsHeatherWebb for the opportunity to read #TheNextShipHome in exchange for an honest review.

I live in the United States because I had great great grandparents and great grandparents who immigrated to the United States for a better life. My widowed great great grandmother brought her four children on a ship by herself and made her way to central New York. I kept picturing them on a ship in steerage like Francesca and Maria Rizzi traveled on to New York. Webb’s descriptions of the conditions aboard the ship are so vivid in my mind.

While some of the passages are very difficult to read for both Alma Brauer whose difficult step-father has found a job for her at Ellis Island and immigrant Francesca, there are beautiful passages of how their friendship grew. I could not help think about how some conditions have not changed for many who want to come here today. This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time and will reread. My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

The amount of research Heather Webb did to write The Next Ship Home is incredibly apparent because this feels so realistic. The immigration experience is expressed incredibly well here. It was easy for me to escape into this novel and be transported back in time.

Alma and Francesca are compelling main characters that were intriguing to follow. Their unlikely friendship made this story for me.

This story is poignant and powerful. I had trouble setting this down. This is based on a true story and you can tell because this feels so real. The author’s writing style was wonderful, and I really just enjoyed everything about this. Don’t miss out.

Thank you to HFVBT for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.

Such a beautifully written story about a dark time in America’s past. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything so haunting, yet beautiful. I adored the characters and found them so believable.

The story centers around two women fleeing from an abusive father, and a matron at Ellis Island. They were fortunate enough to have someone who wanted to help them, and we learn many did not. Many came to America with hopes and dreams, only to have those stamped out due to hateful prejudices.

This is a must read for anyone. The history of what really happened at Ellis island is tragic and dark, yet it’s something we all need to learn from. This story gives us a glimpse of the past, and inspires you to want to learn more. I love it when a book has me stopping to look up historical facts.

Thank you to Heather Webb, the pubpublisher, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a wonderful piece of historical fiction about Ellis Island! I very much appreciate being given the opportunity to review an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback..

The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island
by Heather Webb

Quote:
'"It does you no good to have dreams', Mama always said with a kiss on the forehead. 'They leave you dissatisfied with your lot'."

Review:
Friendship - Love - German-Americans - Racism - Immigration - Italians - NYC - Tragedy - Interpreters - Siblings - Corruption - 1902

I know a little about Ellis Island! My college thesis was devoted to the history of this Island. I devoured books and articles about this American landmark - this Island of Hope, The Island of Tears. Author Webb has done the same!

Fans of Heather Webb will enjoy this beautifully well-written story which is both heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. Extremely well-researched with excellent characters. I hope Webb thinks about a sequel!

If you ever get the chance to visit Ellis Island, please visit. You won't be disappointed. And, please pick up a copy of this book when it becomes available. Highly recommended!

I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

New York City is on my list of places to visit, and Ellis Island is very close to the top of that list. Reading about Ellis Island, the people who worked there and the people who went through the doors during the 1900’s has made me want to visit it even more.

Heather Webb wrote an amazing historical fiction book that brings the reader right into the 1900’s, to a country where women are fighting to make a difference, parents get to make choices for their daughters, and immigrants are coming to Ellis Island by the 1000’s. I could feel the history coming out of the story as I read.

Francesca is an interesting character. She comes to the USA to start her life over, but things do not go as planned for her. While she struggles with the losses in her life, she also finds friendships in the people who help her get into a country that she dreamt about living in. I admire her strength to travel so far not knowing what was waiting for her.

Ellis Island came alive for me as I kept reading, I could picture New York as I read about the different burrows. I could hear the unique accents as the characters shared their stories with the reader.

At 21, Alma has been relegated to old maid status by her stepfather, who never misses an opportunity to find fault with her appearance. But a patron at their NYC bierhaus helps secure Alma a position at Ellis Island. At first reluctant, Alma finds her calling as a translator of several languages and defender of the rights of immigrants.

The first immigrant Alma helps is Francesca, a young woman from Italy threatened with deportation. The two become friends, with Francesca winning over Alma’s whole family, especially her older brother.

But neither woman knows their unexpected and odious connection—the shameful tithe Francesca was forced to pay to gain her freedom and who demanded it from her.

I’ve long been interested in turn of the century immigration, particularly those from southeastern Europe. Heather Webb does not whitewash the way newly arrived immigrants were treated, both at Ellis Island and by long term residents. Our country has a shameful history of demonizing ethnic groups. Watching Alma learn to stand up for herself as well as others was rewarding. Francesca is utterly adorable, even if her story strained credulity. The novel portrays turn of the century NYC very well and ends on a hopeful note. Exceptional historical fiction. #TheNextShipHome #NetGalley

I love to read. Reading has been my escape, my joy and my adventure. I can always read to escape the crazy world we live in today. Anyone who loves reading knows the health benefits that come from a good story. Better sleep, lower stress and anxiety levels and increased intelligence are a few of the benefits of a good book. Unfortunately, The Next Ship Home did none of those things for me, not even the escape from this insane world. Before you decide to just skip the book, hear me out! The Next Ship Home is a fictional story of Ellis Island and the refugees that poured into this country at the turn of the last century. Heather Webb uses fiction to paint a picture of the atrocities that so many refugees suffered at Ellis Island. Many characters and events are based on actual people and facts including newspapers accounts. As I was reading about Francesca Ricci I felt relief that this was historical fiction based on fact. But just turn on the news, change the names, dates and locations and you have a similar tale. Even today people see the United States of America as a land of endless possibilities. Refugees arrive in this land to start new lives, gain an education and provide a better life for their families. Just like Francesca, many people are also escaping a miserable and dangerous past. While reading The Next Ship Home I was astounded at how some things have changed but too many things have stayed the same. The distrust, lack of understanding and empathy and the general prejudices of foreigners is just as strong as it was over 100 years ago.
As for the story, it is phenomenal. The descriptions and characters are so clear that I could actually hear the dialects and accents. The smell of the food, the stink in the streets and the grandeur of the Park Avenue mansions to the squalor of the tenements became real and it was almost a jolt to the senses when I put the book down.
So for whatever reason you decide to read The Next Ship Home, I hope your eyes are opened to how the past continues into the future. We were all immigrants at one time. I hope your story is as rich and meaningful as the immigrants that came through Ellis Island into a world full of hope and adventure. And I hope we can all be as strong as they were.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Netgalley.