A life of struggle and stoicism.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1918 of Jewish parents and Polish and German grandparents, Flora Leipman's story is one of struggle, pain, stoicism, love, and a sweet nature. In the early 1930s after her father's premature death, her mother takes Flora, siblings Cecile, Matilde and Samuel to Russia, and discovers too late that they are no longer free to live as they did in the West. Stalin's Russia is one of Labour Camps, secret police, purges and starvation. Quickly her mother disappears, and it is months before they hear news of her. She has been accused of being a British spy and sentenced to time in a Labour Camp where conditions are harsh. It will be 15 years before she is released. Cecile marries, has a daughter and then during the Second World War all trace of her is gone. Matilde dies due to the harsh conditions and Flora's beloved Sammy, too, is taken away. Flora, herself, is finally imprisoned also and spends 5 years in camps. But she is brave, stubborn, intelligent and resourceful, and this is a story of fighting bureaucrats, the cold, little food and uncertainty.
After many years, Flora finally locates her mother and looks after her with love and cheerfulness. But it will be 50 years before she is able to return to Glasgow and to walk down the streets where she was so happy as a child in a close, loving family.
This book is simply written and the truthfulness shines out. The only incredulity by the reader will be how a human being could survive in such horrible circumstances. "The Long Journey Home" is both humbling and worth reading.
