Greta and Aleksander Kristoff escaped Russia at just the right time. History’s Bloody Sunday is all the impetus needed for this courageous family to leave everything behind in the hopes of a better life. Emigrating to America in pursuit of freedom, however, is not without trouble. Whether harassment from gangsters, the pain of separation, or a wave of McCarthyism, the Kristoffs manage to rally around one another and live life to the fullest in spite of every obstacle. “On a typical Sunday, they laughed till they cried swapping tall tales.” So deep is their bond that when one member of the family relocates from Chicago to California, the rest of the clan eventually follows suit, although this large, eager, and talented family can’t be confined to one location. The years pass quickly while the world is changing just as swiftly. The death of a president, a country embroiled in one war after another, and societal mores are just a few of the external pressures. Meanwhile, their dynamic family changes in size and scope. But no matter the challenge, all the generations of the Kristoff family find a way to keep moving forward to follow their dreams.
Like spending hours in a coffee shop catching up on gossip with an old friend, reading Love Laugh and Row is a pleasant endeavor that will keep you absorbed in generations of activities and achievements. Intrepid and resolute, the eager family members take their adventures to every corner of the United States and beyond. A fresh start as immigrants is never a limiting factor as the Kristoff progeny fall in and out of love, dabble in political actions, and pursue fame. Synchronal colloquialisms, including the bee’s knees, doll, jeepers, and swell bring a smile to your face and place the characters in time, a clever touch in a novel that stretches decades. Though there aren’t enough sensory details to feel immersed in the story or personally invested in many of the characters, the intriguing historical frame of reference is captivating and the progressive narrative arc is hard to forget. The family patriarch is a favorite character, a man who has seen more than most yet manages to adapt as circumstances dictate. Kaleidoscopic yet composed, Love Laugh and Row is an expansive drama that celebrates the powerful connectedness shared by one resilient family.
