The Immigrant's Journey by Roger Andersen is the story of a man who left his home to find himself. Enok was just 16 years old when he left his potato farm in Norway and voyaged over the ocean to get to New York for a new start. He did it all to get rid of the debt and to get a better life. Enok worked hard as a buggy driver, ferry worker, and farm hand, and even worked with stone just to make it. However, it was long before he found his passion: construction. While that gave him a direction, he was still torn between the home he was making for himself and the home he left behind. Enok knew he had to make a tough decision sooner or later. But what if he could make things work in his favor?

I love stories about real people and The Immigrant’s Journey was a pleasure to read. Enok was a smart, dedicated, and determined man who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to chase after it. He was a hard worker, but he was also a smart worker. I really enjoyed how author Roger Andersen divided the story into eight long parts, not just segmented chapters. This way, he was able to highlight the important happenings of each chapter of Enok’s life and pour Enok’s passion into each sentence. I loved the transporting descriptions and the imagery that seemed to come to life! Each sentence encapsulated all the emotions Enok was feeling and so much more. I adored how Enok’s whole demeanor changed when his sweetheart Rikke was introduced. They were something special. Roger Andersen was able to translate those emotions so well through his words. The pictures were a huge help and only heightened my pleasure! I loved this book and would highly recommend it!

The Immigrant's Journey by Roger Andersen is a work of historical fiction based on actual events. The story starts in Opsal Gard, Norway, in the early 1900s. With three sisters and being the only son in his family, Enok was expected to stay and work the land as his father and grandfather did. But Enok wanted to accomplish something more than just inheriting their fifty-acre farm. By this time, a few of his neighbors and even family members who had moved to America in search of greener pastures were sending word back home about the vast opportunities in America. At sixteen years old and determined to find a better life, Enok boards a steamship and embarks on a journey to America. With his homeland out of sight and his future just as invisible, only his spirit to explore new ideas and conquer new challenges will define his success.

The story is told in the first person, as seen through the eyes of Enok. We witness his adventures firsthand and, soon enough, become emotionally attached. We feel a surge of sadness when Enok leaves behind his friendly horse, Gabe, and his loving family. I kept wondering if they would ever be reunited again. In addition to Enok's journey being one of self-discovery, it has an unwavering emphasis on the importance of family and friendship. Even though they were poor and had very little, Enok's family did their best to make each other happy. The Immigrant's Journey was well thought out and perfectly executed. Roger Andersen was careful to tie up every loose thread in the story. It was captivating from the start to the end. Just when I thought I'd never see any more of Gabe, the horse, and Enok, they suddenly popped up at the end of the book, and I was left pondering about their adventures in Opas Gard more than half a century ago. Anyone wanting to learn more about early 20th-century America or looking for an adventure to get them off the grid should check out The Immigrant's Journey.