Was It Worth It

Liliana Arkuszewska

Description

The arrival of the 1980s saw millions living behind the Iron Curtain flee their homeland in search of a better tomorrow. Step-by-step, they trudged persistently to reach their dream of happiness. These were the Columbuses of the 1980s - risk takers who had the courage to test themselves and explore the notoriety of the western world first-hand.Was It Worth It is a modern odyssey spanning three continents and following one family's path to a new, unfamiliar future. It tells of the characters' struggle to adapt to foreign places, languages and customs. With settings in Lima, Paris, Ottawa, and exploring venues in other countries, the book offers readers an insight into what it takes to start from scratch in an unknown land.Did they find what they were looking for?

Sujets

• Sociologie, société et politique
• Migration

Informations

• Publié par: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 28 juillet 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781838599799
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Praise for Liliana Arkuszewska’s
Was it worth it?
… a great exodus … after many years completely ignoring this, it is fair to say, a national epic finally lived to see a literary reference that is exceptionally honest and openly, boldly and comprehensively captures not only the facts, but also the authentic atmosphere of what so many Poles lived through when they decide to leave the old country. Liliana’s book is painfully honest...
GazetaGazeta (Toronto)


...I assure you that as he gets to the last sentence of the novel the reader will sadly think, what a pity that is no more!
Nowy Dziennik (New York)


… Although „Was it worth it...” is maintained in the form of the novel, it has the undeniable value of real history, or even document. This also is the merit of talent and creative skills of the author. Despite the many years spent in exile Liliana Arkuszewska presents a vivid and rich language, full of exciting comparisons, enthralling phrases and metaphors.
Literary Magazine (Warsaw Poland)


… Vast logistic venture and Liliana describes it in details, without slobbering, without contriving ideology, without dimming.
Kurier Szczeciński (Szczecin Poland)


In my opinion ... (and regardless of my personal interests), Liliana Arkuszewska produced a bestseller, and an important document which is worthy of translation into other languages.


I love Lilka for this tale. I won’t mention the literary talent, the artistic value, or the lightness of the pen, because others have already done so. I will just endorse it with my signature!

… I do not remember reading such a positive book. It freed my soul and introduced me to Liliana, with whom I cried and with whom I laughed. Reading with bated breath, I felt that after this book even my life would change. Liliana inspired me, gave me the motivation to act. Now I know that I will attain what I long dreamed for. This book has a magical power.

… Epic, a truly impressive autobiographical tale and travelogue! Its phenomenon is based on an unconventional yet highly personal approach to the subject of emigration. You cannot easily categorize this book, force it into one genre and that’s why I started by calling it epic. Yes, it is a contemporary epic written in extremely contemporary language, full of our generation’s characteristic expressions and linguistic excellence.

The translation of the book Was it worth it?… into English and its popularization in the English-speaking market is worth doing. This action will help to change the perception and create a new image about the Polish nation. Other nations have succeeded in making themselves famous in North America. Now it is our turn for Poles, to join them with inspiring and uplifting story about us, and tear down persisting stereotypes.

Reviews on the publishing portal Novae Res



Copyright © 2019 Liliana Arkuszewska

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

Originally published in Polish as “Czy Było Warto” Odyseja Dżinsowych Kolumbów by NovaeRes, Gdynia, Poland.

Translated from Polish by Charles S. Kraszewski
Copyediting: José Semrau

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


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ISBN 978 1838599 799

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.


Matador is an imprint of Troubador Publishing Ltd

This book is dedicated to all emigrants,
And to all those, who extended a friendly hand to them.
Contents
From the author
Introduction

Part One
I’m not leaving!
Who is it this time?

Part Two
And I could have been here, for Pete’s sake!
Hands off everything
Volver
Skimpy, but on one’s own
Each to the best of their ability
Elektra means Canada
But I don’t speak French
We do not know, and will not know
Here’s the answer
Home is where…

Part Three
Can one fall in love with such an expanse of land?
The first buggy plums
It was not written in our stars
In this honest country
And the aroma of the wide world has spread around us
Maybe it’s only a myth?
Look around!
And now, well, what?
You have to really want it
Gold mine
The whole world has changed
As long as my eyes are closed
Something just took root
Mercy!
I want more
A nest of snakes
We’ll be waiting for you
The medals are in the shoebox
For better or for worse
It all went to hell
Thank you, Lord

Acknowledgements
Notes
From the author
The idea for this book was born more than fifteen years ago.
After returning from vacation in Mexico, rested, full of pleasant memories and enthusiasm, I returned to work, and there, a surprise was waiting for me — a pink slip. I was given five minutes to gather up all of my belongings, and make a call to Andrzej. Escorted by security, I was led out of the building.
Up until that moment, despite all the obstacles and difficulties of immigrant life, I looked at the world through rather rose coloured glasses. The unexpected loss of my job was a painful blow to my ego. And the manner in which it was carried out — was a personal drama, an experience that was difficult to digest.
I had lost an interesting, and very well paying position. I had worked at this firm for six years as a graphic designer and had thought that I would stay there until retirement. This bit of bad fortune opened my eyes to the merciless nature of the capitalist system, in which I had come to live by my own choice. Emotions of bitterness and disappointment made me feel like curling up in some quiet place, far from everyone and everything — in the best of all possible worlds, that would be in some distant, tropical corner of the world.
The shock I experienced urged me to express my rancour and regret. To consider and describe the turns of fate that led me to this point in my life. It was then, for the first time since I had left Poland, that I had begun to wonder if it had been worth it to emigrate in the first place. Was it a positive step I had taken? I was no longer sure.

And yet Providence had its eye upon me. It infused me with hope; I caught a new wind in my sails when I was offered an inspiring position at a publishing house. I found myself once again. I felt confident once more. I was valued — I received promotions. I came to know interesting people. I grew along with the company, and it became a motor, a possibility, to making my dreams come true. My work was my life. I often stayed at my job after hours, while my free time was filled with home responsibilities and family. There was no question of setting time aside to write.
And thus passed the years. New events brought new knowledge, and the accumulation of more experience. Not all of these experiences were pleasant. Still, I never forgot my desire to write the book, my plan to describe my journey so far. While searching for time and the spark that would set everything in motion, I matured. The winding path through life, and the course of events began to offer answers to my nagging question.
Now, I know the answer. I will leave its assessment to all who will be kind enough to join me on this adventure and judge for themselves — was it worth it?
Introduction
What sort of life plans could a young person living in Poland in the 1970s have? What did my generation expect of life, force-fed since childhood on the sad history of Partitions, National Uprisings, and the War-filled past?
Fate so decreed it, that we came to be in the PRL — the Polish People’s Republic — a socialist state. With each new national uprising, new hope is born. Thaws brim the heart and mind of the citizens with optimism.

“So that Poland should grow in strength, and people live more abundantly.”

The Gierek years — “ citizens, will you help? Yes, we shall !” Finally, Poles were free to travel the world. Well, maybe “free” isn’t the best word here, for we still couldn’t keep our passports in a drawer at home. We still had to fill out an application each time we wanted a passport to go abroad. But “the world belongs to the brave” — it was a matter that could be arranged. An economic boom was taking place, Bonanza! It seemed that we were taking more home in our pay cheques, and the stores were better stocked. The shop-windows displayed quite a lot of fashionable, Western goods, of better quality. True, a pair of American jeans, or some flashy boots, cost us a month’s salary, but life went on, somehow, month to month. Everywhere echoed the splendid propaganda of success.

“polish know-how. ” The legions of Polish youth — and not only youngsters — leaving the country for