A Bohemian Dream - (A Family Born in the Land of Promise) by Gwen Karella Mathis (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

What Would You Do for the Love of Your Family?

Antonia Karella moved from Bohemia to New York City by herself in the 1800s-this is not only her story, but it's also the story of the generations who came after.

In a time when all your peers are trusting technology to tell the story of their ancestors, Gwen Karella Mathis discovered her roots naturally through family stories, intense research, and intimate interviews. After years of organizing her research and stories, she's written an inspiring narrative on the courage, bravery, and hard work it takes to realize a dream worth living.

She begins her story by re-telling how her father, Ambrose James Karella, was inspired to learn more about his ancestors as a young father. He spent years exchanging letters with a distant cousin who had laid a foundation for the hard work to come. These letters went from Nebraska to Alaska, exchanging new and exciting details they learned about their long-lost ancestors.

That was how they uncovered the true, emotional, and inspiring story of Antonia Karella, who took the long trip by boat from Bohemia to New York City alone, leaving her husband, Wenceslaus Karella, and their kids without their loving wife and mother. She struggled on her own for the next two years to save the fare to reunite them again, though as every second ticked by, her loneliness grew more and more painful.

Once they were finally reunited, they encountered many hardships by the time they reached their final destination-Madison, Nebraska. It was in Madison where they built the homestead they'd always dreamed of and worked tirelessly to ensure their children and grandchildren had every opportunity they could ever imagine. They built loving families and solid family businesses, but they also experienced plenty of heartache along the way.

This first installment of A Family Born in the Land of Promise Trilogy not only tells Wenceslaus Antonia's story, but it also tells the intimate stories of her children and grandchildren. Readers will travel in time from the 1800s in Bohemia all the way to New York City and Nebraska, where the Karella family finally settled after moving to America to pursue their dreams.

Review Quotes

A Bohemian Dream is a fascinating family history!

-A. Young, Arkansas

One thing this story did for me is that it made me want to research my ancestors. I've been wanting to do this for a long time, and it just made me crave to do it even more. I think it will affect many other readers the same way, more than a story-it is an experience.

-T. Morlock, Red Flag Conversations

I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Bohemian Dream. Gwen's research was amazing. All the letters written over the years added a feel of actually being there witnessing and even partaking in the story as it unfolded. I am a descendant of the Karellas. So, it was even more interesting looking into the lives and the toils my ancestors went through to get us where we are today. I was at my aunt's funeral, one of Ambrose's daughters, and met a cousin from five generations back. It was interesting talking to a very distant cousin I had never seen before and having a conversation. I live within twenty-five miles of where most of the latter part of the story takes place. I know a lot of people who are descendants of my descendants and didn't know I was related to them. It was a wonderful read and really gives me an insight to my history and the strong family who made up part of my being. I would have been entranced with A Bohemian Dream even if I wasn't related. It is just well written and holds your interest but still gives a wealth of history about early America, the struggles, and some of the reasons people wanted to come here.

-Jim Ridder, Nebraska

To write one's family history in story form makes for an enjoyable and entertaining read. The writer has intertwined historically correct information of the political climate, which gives her readers insights on why the proud Bohemian Karella family came to America, where they settled, and how they ultimately prospered in America.

-Ann Vukich, California

A Bohemian Dream is both captivating and breathtaking at the same time! Knowing that Vaclav and Antonia actually lived through these times makes the story even more compelling! If book one is this good, I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy! A literal page-turner and a must-read!

-Kevin Karella, Olivia's Hope