Set in the 1920s, this novel relates the story of Lillian Leyb. She is a young Jewish woman who has fled her native Russia after she has been the only survivor of a pogrom. The novel sets in as she has just arrived in New York City where she becomes the mistress to two men who happen to be father and son. Well knowing this is her best option to escape poverty, she maintains this arrangement until she receives the news that her little daughter Sophie might still be alive in Russia. Lillian now sets her mind on going back and finding the little girl. Since she has no way of paying for the passage back to Russia, she decides to make her way to Alaska and cross the Bering Strait. On her way, she meets lots of other people who like her desperately try to make a living and maintain some sort of dignity if possible at all.

This novel is a good read and, particularly in its second half, a true page turner.
Why did I only give it four stars? First of all, I think the part in NYC covers too much time compared to the rest of the novel which I found a lot more captivating. The end, especially, feels like the author had to wrap it all up too quickly.
Another reason is that the author creates a lot of narrative distance to her characters. As a reader, I always felt removed from the characters - and I did not like that. I like to feel, not just to observe, when I read. I'm sure this was a stylistic device the author deliberately chose - but the choice took away from the joy of reading for me.