Greenwich Meridian Memoir

by Emma Palova

Greenwich Meridian Memoir is an epic tale of immigration and love spanning three continents and two generations. The story takes place on the backdrop of two major historical events in former Czechoslovakia: Prague Spring 1968 and Velvet Revolution 1989. The two events have propelled the major characters into unpredictable action as they journeyed into the unknown. Inspite of the trials and tribulations, Ella and Vaclav have never lost their love for each other. The next generation Emma & Ludek followed in their footsteps.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2020

About the author

Emma Palova, (Konecna) born in former socialist Czechoslovakia is a Lowell-based short story writer, novelist, screenwriter and a journalist.
"I am quite often inspired by the old socialist traditions in the country, that has exchanged them for capitalist," Palova said.
I am currently working on my memoir "Greenwich Meridian, where East meets West." It is about our immigration saga from the country under the Soviet occupation.
Some of the insights that I have gained while living in the USA, I found incredibly true to what we were taught in school under the socialist propaganda.
"The three big experiences continue to inspire me: capitalist, catholic and communist."
I've lived all three of them, and use the insights in my writings.

Reviews

[Sue Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a 5-star on this one! Emma Palova gives us unparalleled insight into 3 forms of government: Socialist, Communist, and Capitalism. We view all three through her eyes as a child living in the midst, as a teen, and as an adult. We also see these systems through the eyes of her parents. She presents these points of view unapologetically and without prejudice, which I think is amazing, listing good points and bad of each. The joy of this book is that it is a memoir, not a treatise, and thus is highly readable, actually a page-turner. I'm in awe of this woman who is not only an author, but has her own podcast, within which she gives her listeners introductions to other writers and their work. I wish college students (and high school students) would read this book. It is an eye-opener, and also gives wonderful insight into Eastern European cultures and people, something we Americans often know little about!

[Lynn Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book to read that will open your horizons and give you a new perspective on the "Covid Times" we are now experiencing, I recommend Emma's title "Greenwich Meridian Memoir".
I didn't expect to be all that interested in a memoir. Generally not what I would first pick up to read. Well, I was proven wrong. It took me only 3 set downs to complete the story, a tell tale sign that I was lured in.
This personal family story gives one a look at immigration, emigration, communism, and socialism in a new light. A read that fits right in with July 2020. Not saying that one may change their mind on such issues by reading this book, but why not look through someone else's eyes for a minute?
Personally, I think a worthy addition to the title; Greenwich Meridian Memoir, would be "Socialism With A New Face". Let's draw people in.
When reading this book, I found myself looking for the voices of different family members. I was not disappointed.
I felt like I was traveling with them through the good times and the bad. I would think hearing this book in the character's real voices would bring emotions we all may need about now.
I loved the book and learned that I need to get out of my lovely little world and see, feel, and experience life through new markets.

[Ed Donahue]

Come along with Emma and her family on a journey through time and geography. Learn of injustice, endurance, faith, love and the tenacity of the human spirit. Culture, history, sociology, politics. All are presented in a remarkably personal and intimate style. This book presents a fascinating story of an epic journey that will keep you captivated as you become caught up in the hopes and dreams of some ‘regular people’ doing highly ’irregular’ things with their lives. What a cornucopia of peoples, places, customs, foods, hopes and dreams!
The reader is given a first-hand look at life in a socialist society from the perspective of several points of view. Those of us in ‘democratic’ states have a lot to learn from these people. I must say that the details of personal family interactions and reactions to this government made the book come to life.
It seems timely that this book is here now to inspire us during the undeniably unusually stressful and turbulent times we are enduring. I know I have certainly gained inspiration and insight into what can be accomplished with persistence and hope.
Read this book. You won’t regret it.

[Mary L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope Emma's book is made into a movie because her family's story is so captivating. Since she lived in Czechoslovakia, the Sudan and the U.S. growing up, her insightful perspective on politics and people is stellar. I learned something new on almost every page I read. Her father's daring escape to freedom into Austria when he almost had to swim across the Danube was incredible. Her mom's constant emotional pull between the East and the West, and whether to leave her extended family and culture to go to the U.S., is heart wrenching. Emma tells of her experience as a 29 year old joining thousands in Wenceslas Square in 1989 during the Velvet Revolution to protest communism. Actually, her book would make an excellent text book in schools. Join her in reliving a journey you will always remember.

[Thomas White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some family stories are too vast, too consequential, to be contained within a single generation. The Greenwich Meridian Memoir understands this instinctively, weaving together the fates of two generations caught in the crosscurrents of Czechoslovakia's tumultuous 20th century. This is an epic in the truest sense—spanning continents, decades, and two pivotal moments in Czech history that reshaped countless lives.

[Carol Briggs]

"Greenwich Meridian Memoir" is a story of survival and love. It chronicles a family who is forced to leave their homeland because of political unrest and thereafter, seek places to live and work that will offer them a complete and rewarding life. Covering many years, it shows the tenacity of a family struggling to find their way.

Carol Briggs

[Sarah C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story in this book. I liked the addition of the story of the parents with their own perspective. I thought it was a really clever and interesting way to write a multigenerational memoir. Worth a read in the modern political climate.
I wish entries from the blue diary during the velvet revolution were included.