Assimilating A Memoir

Assimilating, A Memoir, by Alice M. de Munnik, is the compelling story of one family's perseverance, despite incredible challenges, during war and peace. Alice details the Nazi occupation of their homeland, Holland, their liberation by Canadian troops and eventually the decision to emigrate to Canada. From the perspective first of a child and then of a teenager, Alice is a keen observer with an excellent memory for detail and dialogue. As the family struggles to survive and prosper in their new homeland, she paints vivid word pictures of the frustration, powerlessness, disappointment and heartbreak they often experience. Love, hate, sacrifice, despair and dedication are all part of this powerful narrative that spans two continents and the period from 1944 to 1964 as the family members learn a new language, culture and lifestyle despite the loneliness that is a constant companion in their everyday lives. It is also a success story of battles won, terrors, both real and imagined, overcome and success as the journey continues. This is a book for all peopl everywhere, whether native born or newcomer, with a message for us all. Dorothy Duncan, Author and Historian