COLUMBIA, Md., July 24, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- It is the late seventies when a young and articulate Romanian couple arrives in New York City. As they begin life in their new home and unfamiliar country, their struggles test the strength of their bond and their will to succeed. Follow their journey as they seek to define their feelings toward each other, their unborn child, their parents, friends, and even God in PLANET NEW YORK, a fascinating book written by Tudor Alexander.
PLANET NEW YORK is the story of their whirlwind first six-and-a-half weeks in the city.
Witness the ritual of marriage and love without contraceptives, the dreariness of the day-to-day material existence, and the difficulties and dangers of pursuing emigration in communist Romania. Read about their exciting voyage from Bucharest, through Israel and Greece, to New York. There, despite being left stranded by their sponsor, they make the best of it and relish their first days in America. But assimilating too many changes at once is taking its toll. Alienated and homesick, Lydia discovers she is pregnant. Nicki is not ready for a family and apprehensive that the baby will limit his hard earned freedom to explore and enjoy the country of his dreams. As they adapt, find jobs, make friends and learn to live like Americans, Lydia and Nicki achieve the happiness they seek.
Brimming with autobiographical authenticity, Nicki and Lydia's memories create a rich picture of their old country for the American reader in PLANET NEW YORK. Defying convention, this tale, "rich in humor and old country aura" (Geoff Rotunno, TheBooxReview), is not one of destitute poverty, but of success, in a world populated by colorful and generous people.
"Most memorable is the author's portrait of Manhattan and America through Nicki's eyes, as well as his lovely and complex depiction of Lydia, who comes across as a rather formidable half to this whole." (Kirkus Discoveries)
The novel has received an Honorable Mention at the 2007 New York Book Festival.
About the Author
Tudor Alexander came to the United States in 1977 from Communist Romania. Born in Bucharest in 1950, he writes and publishes today in both Romanian and English. Most of his main characters are immigrants trying to adapt to their new surroundings. His first novel, "The Runners," was published in Romania in 1994. His second literary work, "Smoke," a 100-page novella, appeared in Romania in 1997. "Planet New York" was written in English in 1999. A collection of short stories, "One Morning and One Afternoon" was published in Romania in 2002. Tudor Alexander has just finished a new novel, "The Visitor," written in English. He lives in Columbia, Maryland with his wife, and has two grown children.
PLANET NEW YORK * by Tudor Alexander
Publication Date: November 3, 2000
Trade Paperback; $17.84; 183 pages; 978-0-7388-3709-3
To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7479. Tear sheets may be sent by regular or electronic mail to Marketing Services. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x.7876.