Book Review: Where the Stork Flies by Linda C. Wisniewski

Where the Stork Flies by Linda C. Wisniewski is a story of women empowering women. And a whole lot more. In this story, time travel delightfully (and believably) brings two related women, three generations apart, together.

By any chance, can you remember the last time you wanted to talk with your long-deceased great grandmother? If so, consider meeting Kat, the book’s present-day protagonist living in Bucks County, PA. In a stunning moment, Kat recently discovers her great-grandmother, Regina, in her kitchen one morning. The women will soon figure out, with the help of an interpreter, that Regina, unable to speak English, has time-traveled in the year 1825 from her Polish village.

Is it merely chance that each woman is in a personal crisis? That Kat’s husband and daughter have left her? Or, that Regina’s daughter is critically ill? And is it not reasonable that the magic of time travel becomes a way to bring these two women together? Also, is it not fascinating how each woman becomes part of the other’s respective family and place? And that subsequently, Kat and Regina become able to help the other with the challenge each faces.

In truth, time travel has never interested me. But, Wisniewski’s novel has shown me how it can work in a well-constructed story, and fully suspended my disinterest.

There’s so much to uncover in “Where the Stork Flies,” beyond being an exceptional story of women empowering women. The unique richness of Polish heritage. Poland’s Black Madonna. Many Polish words and phrases. The different societal norms and lifestyles. 

Lastly, I deeply enjoyed reading slowly into the quietly unfolding layers of this story. And, I grew to love Wisniewski’s characters, reminiscent of Anne Tyler’s endearing individuals. Truly, I loved this beautifully written story and hope for a second one.

Linda C. Wisniewski is a former librarian and journalist. Her work has been published widely in literary magazines and anthologies, and on her blog, www.lindawis.com. She is the author of a previous memoir, “Off Kilter: A Woman’s Journey to Peace with Scoliosis, Her Mother and Her Polish Heritage.” Linda lives with her husband in Bucks County, PA.