Gina Rae Mitchell

MAMA DIDA: MY ROAD TO CANADA by Leonida Teohari | Book Review | #Memoir #WorldWar2 #Romania @TellwellPublishing 

A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.

Book Details

Mama Dida: My Road to Canada by Leonida Teohari
Published by Tellwell Publishing on May 21, 2023
Genres: Non-fiction, Memoir
Format: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 190

After experiencing the second world war tragedies and living through the socio political changes in Romania, grandpa Aurel and grandma Dida, for the love of their beloved grandchildren Darius and Anna, decided to leave family, friends and everything they built in Romania and start a new life in Canada.

Nadia Comaneci incredible gymnastic success at the Olympic games in Montreal was what they knew at the time about Canada. Grandpa Aurel and grandma Dida's courage and personal sacrifices were the foundation for the education Darius and Anna accessed in Toronto, and the life they enjoyed in Canada.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions

 

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Excerpt from MAMA DIDA: MY ROAD TO CANADA

When Constanta first got bombed, we had to rush to take cover in a trench made by a neighbour of ours behind our building. After this first bombing experience, Mother Voica packed her savings in a bag, took my sister Helen and me, and fled to Ovidiu, a nearby village. This was not before a heated discussion between my brother Costy and Mother Voica. Costy convinced Mother Voica that he should stay home to watch for the apartment and the furniture. This was all we owned, and my brother would rather risk getting bombed than lose it to the looters.

So, we said goodbye while all crying. Costy was on the balcony waiving at us until our carriage turned the first corner in the direction of Ovidiu village. Mother Voica cried for Costy the entire way, her first child and the only boy.
The war opened my eyes. To be a refugee even in our own country was not easy; imagine having to leave your country.

Mama Voica rented one room with a small cooking stove. From eggs to a litre of milk, everything was double the city prices. We came to the village hoping to save money, however the reality of war proved different.

This was the time to help my mother, so I started learning how to cook.

Helen had a talent for negotiating prices with the villagers and she also had fun doing it. Mother Voica used to refer to her as Jewish.

After few weeks, Mother Voica decided to return home. She told us that she was short of money but we both knew that she was worried about Costy. Helen and I approved immediately; we also missed our brother and the apartment.

Mother Voica hired a carriage and two soldiers, and we started our way back to Constanta.

Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.

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Purchase Links for MAMA DIDA: MY ROAD TO CANADA

Bookshop/IndieBound

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My thoughts on MAMA DIDA: MY ROAD TO CANADA

“Mama Dida: My Road to Canada” is a poignant memoir that beautifully captures the story of Ekaterina Teohari, a courageous Romanian grandmother, and her resolute journey towards securing a better life for her family. Written by Leonida Teohari, this memoir delves into the remarkable tale of Mama Dida’s unyielding determination to protect her loved ones amid the tumultuous backdrop of World War 2 and the socio-political upheavals in Romania.

The book’s narrative is centered around Grandpa Aurel and Grandma Dida’s selfless decision to uproot their lives, leaving behind their home, friends, and all they had built in Romania. The catalyst for this momentous move was their unwavering love for their grandchildren, Darius and Anna. With little more than Nadia Comăneci’s awe-inspiring gymnastic triumph at the Montreal Olympics as their knowledge of Canada, Mama Dida and Aurel embarked on an arduous journey to give their family a brighter future.

“Mama Dida: My Road to Canada” not only paints a vivid picture of the hardships Mama Dida endured during World War 2, including the bombing of her hometown and her subsequent escape to the countryside, but it also conveys the strength of her will to reunite her family. The memoir offers readers an intimate look into Mama Dida’s perspective and the sacrifices she made to safeguard her family’s freedom and security.

While the narrative may contain minor grammatical imperfections, they only enhance the genuine and heartfelt nature of the tribute to this remarkable family matriarch. The authenticity of the phrasing adds a layer of realism that might have been absent in more polished prose.

“Mama Dida: My Road to Canada” is a deeply touching account that will resonate with readers eager to explore the human stories behind the larger tragedies of war. The memoir has the power to engage the soul and spark a desire for further exploration into Romania’s socio-economic and political dynamics during World War 2. It stands as a testament to the strength of familial bonds, the sacrifices made for a better life, and the enduring legacy of individuals like Mama Dida, who reshaped the course of their families’ destinies through their courage and love.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

Find more memoirs HERE.

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Purchase MAMA DIDA: MY ROAD TO CANADA online from a local bookstore.

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