Title: Our Immigrants’ Son
Author: John Francis Patrick Murphy
Publisher: Whilom Publishing
ISBN: 979-8675478569
Genre: Prose Poetry/Historical Fiction
Pages: 434
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Hollywood Book Reviews
The time-traveling aspect of this book is only a fraction of what makes Our Immigrants’ Son astounding. The author writes gracefully and modestly. Reading about his family and their history was a lovely experience, as one not only gets to learn the importance of family, but the author also takes the reader on a ride of how things have changed between the 19th century and the 21st century. As one reads on, they appreciate time and the transition the world has undergone. The author included bits of world history in his book, enlightening every reader on important world events such as world wars, and the quest for independence for different countries and communities.
Author John Francis Patrick Murphy may have spoken as an Irish immigrant, but the story he told can be related by every immigrant in America. The challenges immigrants faced back in the day are not too different from the challenges immigrants face today. The pressure to get decent jobs, settle and assimilate with the American society is still a difficult process for some. By reading John Murphy’s book, one gets to understand why some immigrants are not too quick to open up and immigrants work hard are sometimes ignored by their host countries despite the work they put in. Throughout the book, the reader learns about tolerance and why you should be kind to people despite their backgrounds.
I liked that the author divided the book into two parts; the first focusing on his family’s story and the second talking about how you can write a great family story of your own. In both parts, the author maintains the same gentle tone that makes one want to read more. There are nuggets of wisdom in both parts and the readers get exposed to the author’s most intimate parts of his life. Reading about Irish people was a pleasant experience. Getting to know John Murphy’s culture on a personal level, their Christian faith, and how they lived makes one feel like they are part of the author’s story.
Some of the most notable elements in the book are the author’s vivid description and the images attached. The pictorial evidence gives one an idea of how things were back then and why it is good to embrace change as much as we appreciate the past. John Murphy’s vivid description is what makes the reading enjoyable. The author knows how to expound on details while talking about a person, place, or event. His explanation makes the reading clear and more charming.
Through the text in the book, John Murphy subconsciously tells every reader to preserve their history. There is nothing as beautiful as reading, learning, or documenting your roots whether you are an immigrant or otherwise. The information recorded today will help future generations learn about the past, maintain the rich and diverse cultures we have, and also help them improve on where the ancestors failed. I immensely enjoyed reading Our Immigrant’s Son.