BRAVE CROSSING - A Journey In-Between

by Maria Alvarez Stroud

BRAVE CROSSING is coming-of-age saga is told through the eyes of Ricardo, a young Spanish- Filipino, as he voyages to America in 1916. He embarked on his journey thinking he was leaving behind war, rampant disease, unspeakable deaths, and family secrets only to find a country on the cusp of race riots, World War I, and a global pandemic. He learns that each of these events has the power to define who he is and who he will become.
To succeed, he’ll need to face memories of his past life of privilege, grapple with his own culture, and come to peace with the loss of his parents. He’ll also need to confront his many attackers. His future depends on it.

Genres: Historical Fiction

300 pages, ebook

Published August 1, 2021

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful surprise to get my hands on a hard copy of this book-- and it was written by a friend of mine from book group, no less! This is the story of Ricardo Alvarez, a Spanish Filipino who immigrated to America just before World War 1, living first in Chicago and then in various places in Wisconsin. Told through letters and journal entries, this story completely grabbed me and made me feel as though I knew Ricardo personally. The kind people he meets along his journey and correspondence from his steadfast family and friends in the Philippines buoy his spirits and keep him moving forward on his quest to find a place of belonging and purpose in America. Eventually he realizes that purpose is to become a doctor, and he tackles that goal with admirable dedication despite facing discrimination, prejudice, and an uphill climb learning English in the unimaginably challenging setting of med school. An inspiring and well-told immigrant story that I'd recommend to anyone.

[Ellenh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written as Historical fiction in an epistolary style, Maria captures her Father's story as an immigrant so well. Knowing that Dr. Alvarez settled in Galesville and was a well loved member of this community piqued my curiosity but that the story was so well written kept me going. I can imagine the strength of character and kindness that helped him to remain such a good person given the hardships he encountered as a nonwhite, struggling english speaker during the early 1900's in the U.S. To have completed medical school given this is impressive, and that he landed in small town Galesville too!

[Margie Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a historical novel based on the true story of Ricardo, a mestizo (half-Filipino, half-Spanish), who left his native country newly occupied by the Americans in the aftermath of the Filipino-American War proceeded by the Spanish-American War. Beautifully told through letters and journals, it recounts Ricardo's journey from the Philippines to America and all the adversities he faced as a "colored" person during the turn of the twentieth century America. As a first generation immigrant myself, who came to this country at an even younger age than Ricardo, I felt his homesickness for family, friends and country. The blatant racism and discrimination he faced was hard to read, but with the recent rise in racism, timely, and makes one wonder: How has America changed in the course of more than a century when it comes to racism and discrimination towards people of color? We have come far, no doubt, but have a long way to go, for sure.
I was delighted to discover the setting was in Chicago (as Chicago was my port-of-entry to this country), but was even more thrilled when he eventually moved to Milwaukee and attended my alma-mater!
It is a wonderful story of courage, perseverance and hope as Ricardo navigates the new world and tries to find the "in between" where he might belong. It is a story of second chances where one mistake does not, and should not, define us. It is a story that will resonate with many Filipinos and, perhaps, other immigrants as well. Never had a book been so emotionally-charged, and affected me so much, that I often had to pause and dry my tears, but kept reading--heart-breaking and heart-warming it was at the same time. This one is a gem for the archives of Filipinos in America.

[Cathy Cuccia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Brave Crossing, A Journey In-Between. In fact, I read it in about 2 days because I wanted to learn more about Ricardo's saga and what would happen next. This historical fiction account of the author's own father emigrating to the U.S. from the Philippines in 1916, barely knowing English was heart-warming. It reminded me of my own paternal grandparents who emigrated from Sicily circa 1912, without knowing how to read or write English. This book was a nice change from my usual genre of political thrillers, crime fiction and mysteries.

[Jennifer Hallock]

Brave Crossing: A Journey In-Between is a powerful epistolary immigrant story set during a turbulent and harrowing period of virulence, violence, and racism in the United States. It is based upon the experiences of Maria's own father, who came to the US alone from the Philippines in 1916.

I met Maria at the 2021 Historical Novel Society conference, and she agreed to answer a few questions for my blog. Read more at: http://www.jenniferhallock.com/2021/0...

[Lauren Loomis]

The book was wonderful! Written thru letters and journal entries, I wasn't sure it was going to work for me, but it was fabulous! I was on the ship with Ricardo, in his boarding house rooms-with him every step of his incredible journey. Ms. Stroud wove the true history of the times beautifully thru the story of her Father's Journey. LOVED LOVED!!!

[Jarod Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful novel of a brave young man making the difficult journey to America. Inspirational characteristics especially when faced with adversity. We could all learn a little from his story, whether it be his compassion or his drive to work hard for success there is a piece for everyone.

Well done!

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though the the author describes this is as a novel, it is really a true story of how a Spanish-Philippino man (author's father) immigrates to the US and overcomes racism, language barriers, and lack of contacts to become a beloved doctor in Galesville, WI. Interesting accounts of how WWI and Spanish flu affect so many in this country.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! I fell in love with the characters and their determination, the pain and suffering and the moments of glory and happiness in a very difficult journey. Thank you, Maria, for writing such a powerful story and sharing it with the world.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly engaging book about a Spanish-Filipino young man who left the Philippines for the US just before the US entered WWI. The book is written as a series of letters, telegrams and journal entries. It is really historical fiction at its best! A fascinating tale, well told.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content warnings: racism, colonization, war, physical assault, suicide

[Sophia Bote · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Brave Crossing" is an epistolary novel that beautifully depicts Ricardo Alvarez's immigration journey to the US and the struggles and triumphs that come along with that. I love the intimacy of reading the story through letters because not only does it give us even more insight into Ricardo's mind, but it also lets us see how he perceives himself versus how he tries to present himself to others. One of my favorite parts of the story was seeing Ricardo slowly become more hopeful, make friends, and create a real community for himself in America despite all of the setbacks and racism he faced. Letters from people outside of Ricardo's perspective really lent a hand to demonstrate the depth of the relationships he made, and they were always very heartwarming to read. It's tough to read about the discrimination Ricardo faces, but it's unfortunately realistic and a sad part of not just history, but today too. As a Filipino myself, I feel especially connected to the story and can see many ways that Ricardo's experience mirrors the experiences of myself and my own family. I had the pleasure of working with Maria Alvarez Stroud for a conference last spring and her passion for her family's story and culture is inspiring. This is a wonderful novel and I highly recommend giving it a read.

[Jenovate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written epistolary historical fiction of the author's father's journey to America in the early 1900s.