The House in Prague: How a Stolen House Helped an Immigrant Girl Find Her Way Home

A cherished house the family it sheltered and the true meaning of home1939: the Nazis have invaded Prague. Little Anna huddles with her doll in the corner of a train car while a German officer shrieks You are Jews! Fleeing for their lives her family has abandoned their elegant house near Prague Castle bringing their life of privilege to an abrupt halt.In Part I of this memoir that reads like a novel we meet Annas shining and beautiful opera singer mother her prominent lawyer father and their circle of friends that includes Albert Schweitzer and the family of Czech President Thomas Masaryk.Through Annas eyes we relive magical Christmases summers in the country and a terrifying trip to Nazi Dresden that changes everything. We witness the familys escape and voyage to Ellis Island and Annas struggle to learn English and become an American girl in a city teeming with immigrants and prejudice.As Anna grows and continues her education music and culture help her family find its way in their new country in spite of financial setbacks and illnesses.In Part II post-war life brings cherished Holocaust survivors and their harrowing stories. Anna meets her poet-husband and they embark on a culturally rich and satisfying life filled with travel children and famous figures from the world of art literature and poetry.After the Velvet Revolution of 1989 Annas family sues for the return of their house in Prague. But will they prevail? And if they do what then?The House in Prague is richly illustrated with pictures from the authors family archive. Written with straightforward lyrical clarity her family members and the many famous musicians authors and poets that pass through their lives come alive for the reader. A gripping story on its own merits this tale of war love and loss dares us to think about the immigrant experience in fresh ways.Index included.