Up from Orchard Street

By: Eleanor Widmer

Narrated by: Lorna Raver

Three generations of Roths live together in a crowded tenement flat. Long-widowed Manya is the family's head and its heart. She's renowned throughout the neighborhood for her cooking, and every noontime the front room of the flat turns into Manya's private restaurant. But Manya is no soft touch, except, perhaps, where her granddaughter Elka is concerned. Precocious Elka is her closest companion and confidante. Through Elka's eyes we come to know the fascinating characters who move in and out of the Roths' lives. Money may have been short, but opinions were not, and their tart tongues and lively humor abound. In this riveting story lies the heart of the American immigrant experience: a novel at once wise, funny, poignant, anguishing, exultant, and bursting with love.©2005 Eleanor Widmer (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Solo Narration (Female)

"Poignant snapshot of a long-lost era and place....[This] first novel offers pungent, nostalgic vignettes of Jewish life on Manhattan's Lower East Side." (Kirkus Reviews)

Loved it!

This was an engaging book that held my interest. I hated to have to say goodbye to the characters!

great read

I'm neither Jewish, nor Russian, nor a New Yorker...but I felt I had entered a profoundly interesting, and moving family history. The narrator of this was incredible and brought each character to life.

Epic story of immigrant life in New York

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. As someone who has worked years in the food industry this "up from your boot straps" story described by way of classic home cooking really struck home for me.

Lorna Raver is one of the best narrators in the business. Her talents are well used here.

This ranks as another book I envy anyone experiencing for the first time.

I loved this book

My mother would have loved this story. It doesn't matter that the nationality is different, the city different. The story of the strong, honest immigrant family is universal. They used what they had, making something out of nothing., to be shared with others who had less. The stories my mother told of her young years during the depression, with 3 generations all living under 1 roof, were the same. I know she would have remembered her own loving grandmother, so wonderfully described in this book. What a precious heritage we enjoy! Well written, well read. Thank you.

Memories from a simpler era

I purchased this book based on the reviews, something I rarely do. This book was magical. As you listen, you become a member of this multi-genrational family. You laugh and cry along with them. This is more than a coming of age story, it is a glimpse into a bygone era and the culture of immigrants making their way in America. I was left wanting to hear more of this family's life.

The narrator gives a phenomenal performance. It is always a pleasure to listen to Lorna Raver.