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“Camel from Kyzylkum” captures one woman’s remarkable journey from Soviet Ukraine to building a life in the United States. Lara Gelya deftly chronicles her unique story, from her Ukrainian beginnings through twenty years in Uzbekistan, following her path through Austria and Italy before finally reaching the United States in 1990. Her understated yet moving memoir illuminates the immigrant experience of leaving one life behind to forge another in a completely different culture.
The memoir excels in its vivid depictions of life in the Soviet Union, particularly the harsh but fascinating years spent in the Kyzylkum Desert. Gelya’s descriptions of the extreme climate, isolation, and unique camaraderie among geological workers provide a rare glimpse into a world few Westerners have experienced. Her accounts of endemic Soviet anti-Semitism and the struggles of Jewish citizens are particularly memorable, all leading up to Gelya’s courage in leaving everything behind with just two suitcases and $140. Her experiences in Austrian refugee camps and Italian transition centers illuminate the challenging path Soviet refugees faced. This precedes an account of her early years in Buffalo, NY, where she worked multiple jobs while learning English and pursuing education.
Where the memoir truly shines is in its unflinching honesty about both triumphs and tragedies. Gelya openly discusses her painful estrangement from her daughter and the loss of relationships with grandchildren, while also celebrating finding love later in life and building a successful career in IT. The juxtaposition of personal losses against professional achievements creates an inspirational portrait of an immigrant’s experience. The writing style throughout is deeply accessible, with carefully chosen details that bring scenes to life – from the smell of sand during desert storms to the shock of seeing fully-stocked grocery stores in Austria for the first time.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its theme of adaptation and survival, symbolized quite poetically by the camel metaphor Gelya employs throughout and of course in the title. Like the desert animal storing energy in its hump for difficult journeys, she demonstrates how immigrants must marshal their internal resources to survive and thrive in new environments. One criticism might be that certain sections, particularly about recent years in Florida, feel less developed compared to the richly detailed early chapters. However, this mirrors the author’s focus on her time in Kyzylkum.
Overall, “Camel from Kyzylkum” offers valuable insights into the Soviet Jewish experience, the challenges of immigration, and the complex nature of family relationships across cultures. It serves as both a historical document and a deeply personal story of resilience, making it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in immigrant narratives or Soviet history.
You can purchase Camel in Kyzylkum by following this link.
