Book Signing: Janina Stankiewicz Chung

By Jane A. Marlowe

Mike Held opened his Keep in Touch shop at The Shops of Marco for author, Janina Stankiewicz Chung on Thursday, April 25 to discuss her book and sign copies for visitors. The author shared her family’s story through the narrative of fiction in Far East Of The Sun which was reviewed in the April 19-May 2 issue of the Coastal Breeze News.

Her book recounts the story of Sasha and Anya who begin a happy, middle class life as a young

married couple in Belarus in north central Russia. Sadly, the Bolsheviks under Stalin destroy that life because of their hatred of landowners and the family must scatter in order to survive. Sasha and Anya’s struggle to provide for their growing family mirror the dreadful events which drove Janina’s parents into hiding, capture and banishment and ultimately to the work camps of Nazi Germany.

After the war, as displaced persons, their life was still uncertain and difficult due to the millions of Europeans who had

lost everything including their homeland. How do Sasha and Anya make it to America? Do they ever find their oldest son, Nicolai, who took his father’s place when he was to be separated once again from his wife and children?

Kudos to Mike and Jiri for their hospitality in providing a venue for Mrs. Chung at Keep In Touch. Far East Of The Sun is available for purchase at Keep In Touch and through the publisher, Reed Edwards. It is also available as an ebook. www.reededwards.com/item/Far_East_Of_The_Sun/215