Houses of Detention

<p>So what's a nice girl from a good family doing in a place like the Bronx House of Detention?</p><p></p><p>Like many immigrants who flee persecution when the Rosens escaped the Nazis they thought life in America would be perfect. And for a while it was. Men developed successful businesses a mink stole hung in every hall closet overly abundant high-carb food graced all tables and grandma preserved traditions while finishing her weekly bottle of whiskey. </p><p>But then cracks appeared-a teenager pushed boundaries so far that the police became part of the family story an in-law loudly mourned the loss of status he had in their village and a woman with stricter beliefs married into the family causing catastrophic rifts.</p><p></p><p>Despite the ever-present shadow of the Holocaust there's frequent humor. People who eat frozen pre-packaged bagels are condemned Cossacks who once incinerated towns are now Bar Mitzvah waiters carrying flaming cherries jubilee the chippie dating the synagogue president carries a bejeweled poodle-shaped purse that barks in French and no one understands how WASPs can wear leather loafers without socks. </p><p></p><p>This book has enough twists turns and turmoil to make anyone immigrant or Mayflower descendant cry Oy Vey!</p><p></p>