Through and Through: Toledo Stories

I found Through and Through a accurate, and humorous description of an immigrant family struggling to be part of society in their quest to find the streets paved with gold. It appears to me the author was able to depict their close nit relationships and maintaining traditional values and mores led to their ultimate success in attaining their position in society whether they knew it or not.

In many cities in the U.S., including such places as Toledo, we stand at Deli counters ordering our cheese from men with heavy accents and lives we know little about. The Georges and Yusefs, Nadias and Sourayas in these bodegas have rich lives we know little about until this collection Through and Through. Geha brings to life this Middle Eastern community, not by only showing how these characters are strangers in a strange land, but also how they are our neighbors as well. We learn a little of Arab customs, something of what it is to be an immigrant. What one values when they are successful and what they hope for when they fail. These stores are human and humane, enlightening and funny. They take the chance for self-irony and even farce. I would recommend Through and Through for enjoyment, for a class in ethnic or immigrant lit, as well as for a source of understanding.