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"Solotoye is an unusual book written in a crisp and poetic style. Tony Haas paints a haunting and unforgettable portrait of a Volga German village that is no more."
Dr. Timothy J. Kloberdanz, German-Russian Scholar and Author
Fargo, ND
"Tony Haas' telling of Emma's story is like the Volga River, sometimes serene with ripples and turns and sometimes unruly with life and death tumbling alongside. I will never forget Emma."
Robin P. Williams, Sweet Swan of Avon: Did a Woman Write Shakespeare?
Santa Fe, NM
“One hell of a book!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Solotoye. I’ve read a number of books about Volga Germans and yours is a good read – funny in places, sad in others. I will definitely recommend the book to family and friends.”
Bill Brungardt, Hays, KS
“… this is good, really good! … the cover looks fantastic … all I can say is, I’m impressed.”
Shirley Honas, Ellis, KS
“Solotoye is a deeply moving chronicle of a time, a place, and a soul whose inner light sustained her through reversals of fortune culminating in one of the darkest chapters of human history. Tony Haas tells the story of “Emma” in a way that bears witness to the transcendent power of truth, goodness and love.”
Nancy Seifer and Martin Vieweg, coauthors of When the Soul Awakens
Reston, VA
"Tony Haas has an excellent command of the English language. His description of life in this small village was captivating and engrossing. I highly recommend this wonderful book."
Albert Kadosh, San Francisco, CA
"I have just finished wonderful Solotoye with its unique style. I loved the way you said more with what you didn't say ..."
Erica Hills, Perth Western Australia.
"Solotoye is a beautiful book.
My favorite vignette is 'Sleeves Like Cotton Clouds' where Haas craftily endears the reader to Emma. Like a well-written mystery, this and other vignettes are read multiple times. After reading the book, I had to reread sections to see how Haas did it. All Americans should be so fortunate to have their ancestors' stories documented and told."
Janet Shing, Salinas, CA
"I found the story entertaining, informative, gripping, riveting ... certainly well worth my time. I do hope you will, as Emma would, continue to write for yourself and for us as well."
Norbert Schmeidler, Wichita, KS
"Solotoye has a special meaning to me as a descendent of a Volga-German family. It brings to life the experiences of our ancestors who lived in the Volga. Thank you Tony for sharing your family’s experiences with the rest of us."
Wayne Neuburger, Keizer, OR
"I really loved the pictures you painted with words and even though I'm the descendent of Stewarts of Scotland and the Merritts of Ireland, I feel a great affinity for those brave souls that faced such uncertainty while leaving their homes and friends to start a new life and to build a new country. Thank you for telling the stories."
Grant Merritt, Leawood, KS
"It's difficult to believe this is a first novel, and that a writer could hit his stride the first time out. On the surface, it appears that Tony Haas has written a relatively simple story about everyday people in a small Russian village who wish to emigrate to America. But as one reads the graceful and absorbing text, many additional layers of the character's lives unfold. This is a novel that beckons the reader to linger, to savor, and to enjoy."
Mike Durall, author of The Almost Church Revitalized
Boulder, CO |
