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Biking Uphill
Set against the life and death backdrop of illegal immigration and
deportation, Arleen Williams's moving novel, Biking Uphill, provides an extraordinary look inside the life of a refugee. In this beautiful story of commitment and enduring hope, Arleen Williams has created unforgettable characters whose story teaches us the power of compassion and the human heart.
In the opening pages of Biking Uphill, lonely college student Carolyn Bauer, biking home from the Los Arboles Sunday Market, sees a teenage girl, only a few years younger than herself, huddling under a eucalyptus tree. Carolyn shares her food and water with Antonia as they eventually communicate in a mix of languages. Realizing Antonia lives alone on the streets, Carolyn invites her home. They enjoy a summer of friendship until the day Antonia mysteriously disappears.
Fifteen years later, only Antonia recognizes her old friend when she and Carolyn meet again in an ESL classroom, but she conceals her secret. Carolyn arranges a class project for Antonia--to job-shadow her friend and housemate, Gemi Kemmal. Gemi learns Antonia is in dangerous circumstances and offers her sanctuary just as Carolyn had years earlier. But will the women be able to confront Antonia's abuser and build a family of enduring friendship?
deportation, Arleen Williams's moving novel, Biking Uphill, provides an extraordinary look inside the life of a refugee. In this beautiful story of commitment and enduring hope, Arleen Williams has created unforgettable characters whose story teaches us the power of compassion and the human heart.
In the opening pages of Biking Uphill, lonely college student Carolyn Bauer, biking home from the Los Arboles Sunday Market, sees a teenage girl, only a few years younger than herself, huddling under a eucalyptus tree. Carolyn shares her food and water with Antonia as they eventually communicate in a mix of languages. Realizing Antonia lives alone on the streets, Carolyn invites her home. They enjoy a summer of friendship until the day Antonia mysteriously disappears.
Fifteen years later, only Antonia recognizes her old friend when she and Carolyn meet again in an ESL classroom, but she conceals her secret. Carolyn arranges a class project for Antonia--to job-shadow her friend and housemate, Gemi Kemmal. Gemi learns Antonia is in dangerous circumstances and offers her sanctuary just as Carolyn had years earlier. But will the women be able to confront Antonia's abuser and build a family of enduring friendship?
260 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2014
2 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Arleen Williams
29 books46 followersArleen Williams is a Seattle novelist, memoirist, and co-author of a dozen short books in easy English for adults. She teaches English as a Second Language at South Seattle College and has worked with immigrants and refugees for over three decades. To learn more, please visit www.arleenwilliams.com and www.notalkingdogspress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 4, 2018
Arleen Williams has written a page-turning trilogy about the healing friendship of an immigrant nurse who helps her patient turn her life around and through their interaction slowly allows herself to feel love for another immigrant. The third and final book has a surprise ending that brings the story full circle. Arleen knows these two immigrant cultures and circumstances as they make lives for themselves in Seattle (which is a beautiful backdrop to the novels). Each character is complex, believable and earns the reader's interest. These are fast reads, great for deeping understanding of the immigrants in our midst.
September 15, 2014
Biking Uphill is the poignant and uplifting story of the power of a supportive friendship that helps one young woman overcome and survive racism and abuse.
Author Arleen Williams weaves a compelling and powerful second book in The Alki Trilogy, that thoughtfully deals with the sensitive social and political issues of illegal alien immigration and the treatment of migrant farmers, racism, and abusive relationships. The reader is easily drawn into the story as it follows the supportive friendship bonds that Antonia forms with Carolyn and Gemi, and her journey of self-discovery and empowerment to survive and become a strong young woman.
I loved the author's style of weaving an inspirational tale that interweaves the theme of friendships, community, and a sense of family through different generations, cultures, and languages into a thought provoking story that depicts the complexity of a variety of social issues that tugs at the heartstrings and stirs the soul.
Biking Uphill is a wonderful story that will take the reader on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and redemption.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Author Arleen Williams weaves a compelling and powerful second book in The Alki Trilogy, that thoughtfully deals with the sensitive social and political issues of illegal alien immigration and the treatment of migrant farmers, racism, and abusive relationships. The reader is easily drawn into the story as it follows the supportive friendship bonds that Antonia forms with Carolyn and Gemi, and her journey of self-discovery and empowerment to survive and become a strong young woman.
I loved the author's style of weaving an inspirational tale that interweaves the theme of friendships, community, and a sense of family through different generations, cultures, and languages into a thought provoking story that depicts the complexity of a variety of social issues that tugs at the heartstrings and stirs the soul.
Biking Uphill is a wonderful story that will take the reader on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and redemption.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
July 26, 2014
This book is a polished jewel of friendship.
The author tackles the sensitive and complex subject of illegal immigration and American immigration policy without flinching. Never preachy, she illuminates the inhumanity of the "detention and deportation" system, the terror of the fleeing migrants and the horrors they will encounter when they are returned home. This is the political text of the book, but the story rises above it. In order for policy to be felt, rather than known, the story has to be powerful, and there is no question that Biking Uphill is a powerful story.
Carolyn takes in Antonia, lost, frightened and alone after her parents are seized by La Migra, the Immigration Service. Years later, they are reunited, with dark secrets that have shaped their lives. Love, at its many levels, is the great healer, and through love, Carolyn and Antonia are able to reshape their lives. Fifteen years after Carolyn and Antonia first meet their lives are very different, but Carolyn's willingness, ultimately, to open her heart, and Antonia's essential nature, are stronger than fear. This is an affecting and memorable story, well told.
The author tackles the sensitive and complex subject of illegal immigration and American immigration policy without flinching. Never preachy, she illuminates the inhumanity of the "detention and deportation" system, the terror of the fleeing migrants and the horrors they will encounter when they are returned home. This is the political text of the book, but the story rises above it. In order for policy to be felt, rather than known, the story has to be powerful, and there is no question that Biking Uphill is a powerful story.
Carolyn takes in Antonia, lost, frightened and alone after her parents are seized by La Migra, the Immigration Service. Years later, they are reunited, with dark secrets that have shaped their lives. Love, at its many levels, is the great healer, and through love, Carolyn and Antonia are able to reshape their lives. Fifteen years after Carolyn and Antonia first meet their lives are very different, but Carolyn's willingness, ultimately, to open her heart, and Antonia's essential nature, are stronger than fear. This is an affecting and memorable story, well told.
August 18, 2014
I received Biking Uphill from Goodreads as a free giveaway.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did. Arleen Williams has a gift with words. Her style is simple, but effective. It flows easily, making Biking Uphill a relaxing read. The characters were all brought to life so perfectly. Williams gave an unflinching account of the plight of undocumented immigrants, and she was very fair to both sides of the issue, I thought. The only problem I had was a very minor one; all of the characters spoke so properly, it was kind of hard to imagine their conversations happening in real life. Other than that, I couldn’t find a flaw in the story. Williams obviously put a lot of time, effort, and research into this book, and it shows.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did. Arleen Williams has a gift with words. Her style is simple, but effective. It flows easily, making Biking Uphill a relaxing read. The characters were all brought to life so perfectly. Williams gave an unflinching account of the plight of undocumented immigrants, and she was very fair to both sides of the issue, I thought. The only problem I had was a very minor one; all of the characters spoke so properly, it was kind of hard to imagine their conversations happening in real life. Other than that, I couldn’t find a flaw in the story. Williams obviously put a lot of time, effort, and research into this book, and it shows.
September 9, 2014
Arleen Williams is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Biking Uphill
This story was a lot deeper and more emotional than I thought it would be at first glance. It is the second in a series, but definitely can be read as a stand alone. The complex issues that we explore as readers is moving and made me think well after I finished the last page. I found myself getting into discussions with friends over some of the topics that were talked about in the book, and I absolutely love that in a novel. The friendship that is explored not only between Carolyn and Antonia but the supporting characters as well is touching to read about, and there is suspense mixed with romance which added plenty of more depth to the book. One for your reading list.
4.5 stars
This story was a lot deeper and more emotional than I thought it would be at first glance. It is the second in a series, but definitely can be read as a stand alone. The complex issues that we explore as readers is moving and made me think well after I finished the last page. I found myself getting into discussions with friends over some of the topics that were talked about in the book, and I absolutely love that in a novel. The friendship that is explored not only between Carolyn and Antonia but the supporting characters as well is touching to read about, and there is suspense mixed with romance which added plenty of more depth to the book. One for your reading list.
4.5 stars
July 8, 2014
This book is beautifully written and thought provoking. I just finished reading Biking Uphill and highly recommend it. It's a nice and easy read in terms of it's flow. I love Arleen Williams' writing style. It's lovely, captivating. She portrays the plight of migrant farm workers in a way that is both sensitive and insightful. Most of all, I love the characters she brings to life, especially Gemi. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 19, 2018
Book 2 of Aileen William’s Alki trilogy is the story of American student Carolyn who one night discovers hiding in the bushes Antonia, a young undocumented and homeless migrant girl from Central America. She takes her in and shelters her and their friendship blossoms. Through this relationship, the author explores issues of migration, particularly illegal immigration, empathetically and intelligently, and it’s a timely and thought-provoking novel. It’s a pleasant enough story, although hardly a work of significant literary fiction, with fairly superficial and sometimes sentimental characterisation, clunky dialogue – and rather too much of it – and a tendency to resort to melodrama on occasion. Nevertheless, it does give an informed portrait of the day-to-day reality of being undocumented and is in insight into an existence of which most of us will never have first-hand experience.
December 21, 2020
Like book #1, I truly loved book #2. I will read book 3 and everything else this author has written.
I literally fell over her first book and not expecting to like it found I loved it which led me to book #2 which I also thoroughly enjoyed. I connect with her characters and storylines. These are gems not to be missed.
I literally fell over her first book and not expecting to like it found I loved it which led me to book #2 which I also thoroughly enjoyed. I connect with her characters and storylines. These are gems not to be missed.
May 31, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Seeking sanctuary from government corruption, torture and a hundred other reasons forces many people to enter the United States illegally. As illegal aliens the sacrifices these human beings must go through is a crime which percolates through the generations. This book tells the story of Antonia and her struggle to live within a system she is powerless to understand. Meeting sympathetic people along her journey may enable her adjustment and eventual acceptance in a confusing, brutal environment. Inspiring and brilliantly written, Ms. Williams presents us with a powerful book. Recommended.
Seeking sanctuary from government corruption, torture and a hundred other reasons forces many people to enter the United States illegally. As illegal aliens the sacrifices these human beings must go through is a crime which percolates through the generations. This book tells the story of Antonia and her struggle to live within a system she is powerless to understand. Meeting sympathetic people along her journey may enable her adjustment and eventual acceptance in a confusing, brutal environment. Inspiring and brilliantly written, Ms. Williams presents us with a powerful book. Recommended.
January 16, 2015
Such a wonderful, unique story. Arleen Williams is a gifted author who can get inside the heads of two very different characters: an affluent American ESL teacher and a scared refugee from San Salvador. The relationship between these two female characters is central to a book that restores hope in love and doing the right thing. The dialogue is perfect, and everything about this story feels authentic. I have not yet read the first installment in Ms. Williams Alki Trilogy, Running Secrets, but I will now, and also look forward to the third book in this series.
January 22, 2021
I love the Alki Trilogy. Arleen Williams gives her readers Seattle (and environs) and populates it with characters familiar to her from her work among immigrants during decades instructing English-language learners and from embracing her life in her community. A persistent theme of her novels is a search for belonging.
March 5, 2015
I liked the fact that even though this is the second book in a trilogy I can read the book as a stand alone. I now find myself wanting to read the first and excited for the 3rd book.This is a powerful story. I love this authors writing style.
May 31, 2015
This book has strong women overcoming odds and helping each other. It would be interesting to compare and contrast this book with The Same Sky by Amanda Eyre Ward.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews