A Father's Love, A Life Well-Lived, and Messages For His Children

A Father's Love, A Life Well-Lived, and Messages For His Children

The Little Russians: An Ailing Father's Letters to His Children
By William Jack
Publisher: Lulu.com
Published: September 2010
Pages: 479
ISBN: 978-0-557-44579-0

Author William Jack has compiled a living legacy for his three adopted children from Russia, in this poignant memoir, The Little Russians. Now ailing, Jack has put down in writing his own history, their history, for them and for the world to see.

He wants these young "Americans" to know about their native country and about how much he has cherished it. He knows that at some point in their lives, the children will look back at their roots, working to un-block the memories and the language they have seemingly abandoned. He knows he probably won’t be alive when that process begins.

You feel his pain, and his love, throughout the book. You also get a sense of sharp wit and eccentricities. From the preface, where he explains why he changed the names of his children and why their mother, his now ex-wife, didn't want him to publish this book, to the end, where he professes his undying love for his "Little Russians," you feel every ounce of emotion as if you were living it.

William Jack's love of Russian literature led to his PhD, which led to the adoption of his children. He wants them to know of their ancestry and to know of his life. He doesn't want time to pass, nor death to overtake him, before he’s able to show them his life and his love, in his own way. The author is ill; yet you can feel his love of life, expressed in his own words.

I must say, I am not a huge fan of memoirs. They often are boastful or vengeful or self-serving. They are often bogged down with small details that could have been left out. In The Little Russians, however, there is none of that; the book needs all its small intricacies, all its tiny details, and this makes it one of the best memoirs I've ever read. I feel sympathy for the author, although I'm not sure he wants sympathy. Good job, Mr. Jack, for your love, your life, your words, your wisdom. Your children must be ever so proud of you, and happy for the gift you have given them.

About The Author:

William Jack has worked as a college professor of Russian, a law school instructor, an attorney, and a law librarian. He holds a BA, MA, and PhD in Russian studies. He also has a JD and an MLIS (Master of Library and Information Systems). He is presently broke, sick, bankrupt, and living in a mobile home. He started out poor, her says, the second of ten children living in public housing. After many turns in his life, he is back where he started. He believes that whoever made the world has a wicked sense of humor; he believes that he looks at life the same way.

Review By Jennifer Reed, Book Reviewer/Librarian