Becoming Hungarian: A Memoir

By: Giles, Erika Reich

For most of her life, Erika Reich Giles shunned her Hungarian heritage.

Brought to the U.S. as a child by her parents after the family's escape from post-World War II Hungary, she longed to become an American. Gradually shedding her Hungarian identity over the years worked until she received a letter from her 91-year-old father that convinced her she couldn't run from her past forever.

She explored her family's history and uncovered a story that began in 1948, when Hungary was in the stranglehold of the Soviet-backed Communists, who were sealing the borders, infiltrating the government, and confiscating private property. They seized the Reich G pgy r, her family's factory, devastating their lives. She was born in the midst of the ensuing chaos. The family embarked on a daring escape soon after. A series of twists and turns culminated in Billings, Montana, where family secrets complicated a challenging refugee life.

Erika's quest eventually led her back to Hungary decades after she left, to confront her family's losses and develop her own relationship with her homeland. Becoming Hungarian, a fascinating story of resilience and discovery, will inspire anyone who has struggled with their identity and tried to come to terms with the past.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0D4KKWB29
• ISBN13: 9798218336974
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Montiron Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"