Reviews
Literary Titan
Editorial Review
In this memoir, the author narrates her life journey as an immigrant, a mother, a grandmother, and an independent woman from Ukraine to the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan (then a part of the Soviet Union), through Austria and Italy, all the way to the United States. Standing as a testament to her indomitable spirit and sheer willpower, the book tells us an inspiring tale of grit and endurance in the face of unforgettable hardships. Using a simple and engaging tone, Lara speaks about her own diverse experiences and leaves the readers spellbound with her quest for a better life.
Written during the pandemic year, this memoir is a genuinely heartwarming account of the various challenges the author faced and overcame during her life. Although one can argue about the linearity of the plot structure, a rough chronology is followed throughout the story, most of which flows uninterrupted in the form of flashbacks.
This particular characteristic of the narrative makes it seem almost like a diary, recording the various emotional upheavals of the author’s journey rather than the individual events themselves.
Lara describes her personal ordeals with surprising candor. Starting with her process of immigration, her struggle to re-establish herself in a foreign country, and her effort to learn the new language. Readers then learn of her constant fight to bring her daughter from the Soviet Union to join her and the painful break from her family. She was left feeling betrayed and filled with grief. To finally accept reality and reach towards other sources of fulfillment, we accompany her on her travels and witness each phase of her life as they shape the person she has become today.
But unlike memoirs of great people, who always seem to be placed on a pedestal and therefore seem detached from our lives, Lara’s story touches us deeply because we can empathize with her. This is the story of an ordinary person like us. A woman who got uprooted from her birthplace and was forced to leave behind everything she knew as her own to try and build her future in a strange land surrounded by unknown people. Yet, ultimately, what makes it inspiring is that it is a story about never giving up.
https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/25/camel-from-kyzylkum/
Diane Donovan
Midwest Book Editorial Review
Camel from Kyzylkum: A Memoir of My Life Journey deserves attention not just from memoir readers, but armchair and would-be life adventurers interested in a story replete with excitement, drama, insights, and immigrant experiences.
It chronicles Lara Gelya’s concurrent journey from Ukraine to the Kyzylkum Desert in Uzbekistan, then from the Soviet Union to Austria, into Italy, and eventually to America—but to view this as a travelogue alone would be to do Gelya’s effort a grave disservice. The story opens unexpectedly, with Gelya’s arrival in Florida. She looks forward to a retiree’s life of beaches and relaxation—a far cry from her status thirty years earlier, when she landed in New York City in 1990 as a broke refugee, knowing no English.
Her memoir chronicles not only physical but psychological and ideological insights and experiences as she faces battle after battle to free herself from the Soviet Union and create a new life in America.
Readers expecting that Camel from Kyzylkum’s experiences will mirror many other immigrant memoirs would be, paradoxically, both right and wrong. Gelya’s story is spiced with contrasts in immigrant lives and small kindnesses that emerge to combat the unexpected trials she encounters in not just getting to America, but becoming part of its melting pot.
Vivid insights create moving, thought-provoking moments throughout her saga:
… the Black, African woman from the flight kindly invited me to spend a night with them. Since I had no other options, I accepted. We arrived at an old two-floor house with many Black families inside. Each family had a room, and they shared the kitchen and the bathroom of the house. A lot of small kids were running around. They were all refugees from some African country. The house, inside and outside, was in pretty run-down condition. It surprised me, as it was not at all what I expected to see in the United States. But I was thankful that they gave me a corner where I could put my head down after a very long and thrilling first day in America.
As she details evolving relationships, includes color photos of her changing situation and surroundings, and chronicles the experiences of an immigrant who moves into America’s cultural mix while experiencing the trials and tribulations of life, Gelya produces a chronicle that is ultimately an uplifting story of adaptation, goal achievement, and success:
As a Camel from Kyzylkum, I plan to keep going through my life journey, swaying like a ship on the waves of time—the high temperature of life’s hardships and troubles makes me stronger. Her powerful voice and personal insights craft a memoir perfect for assignment and discussion among reading groups and classrooms interested in immigrant experiences and the process of formulating, realizing, and changing one’s dreams.
Libraries will find Camel from Kyzylkum’s inspirational benefits make it highly recommendable to patrons finding their own paths through life’s challenges and experiences.
http://donovansliteraryservices.com/october-2024-issue.html#cfk
Mario E. Lombardo
Amazon Reader
Have just finished reading Lara Gelya’s remarkable memoir Camel from Kyzylkum. Buy it. Buy it to read how a persevering truth can conquer the many negative challenges in life. Ms. Gelya’s grit and grind represent the classic mantra – do it, don’t talk about it, do it, do whatever it takes. She overcame all odds and did it. Kudos.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2PKJJODPTHK0W?ref=pf_vv_at_pdctrvw_srp
Lady F
Amazon Reader
A fascinating true story of a journey to America. Lara conveys the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of adversity, the likes of which many of us will never experience. In light of what is currently taking place in Ukraine, she gives you insight into what life was like there. She connects her story with many beautiful photographs, which draw the reader in.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R21877QX2T2VPK?ref=pfvvatpdctrvwsrp
Michelle Fredman
Amazon Reader
Camel from Kyzylkum is a beautifully written memoir that took me on an unforgettable journey through a life shaped by resilience, culture, and quiet strength. From the very first page, I felt connected to the author’s voice—honest, reflective, and deeply human. The descriptions of life in the Kyzylkum region were vivid and immersive, and I appreciated the balance between personal storytelling and historical context. This isn’t just a story of survival; it’s a story of identity, perseverance, and transformation. I found myself thinking about this book long after I put it down. Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates real-life stories told with heart and clarity.
https://www.amazon.com/review/R3MZ8F9VTHPS2D
Yuri Reingold
Amazon Reader
What an honest and captivating account of a daring escape from Soviet tyranny to freedom! From the moment I opened this book, it was a page-turner and kept me on the edge of my seat. Even knowing that everything turned out well (since it’s the author herself who is telling the story in the first-person narrative), you still can’t help rooting for Lara every step of the way on her journey from the bleak and glum reality of the Soviet Union to the freedom in the US which came with its own set of challenges and adventures… I don’t want to give anything away – read it for yourselves!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RSLXWS7H9KIPY?ref=pfvvatpdctrvwsrp
Margarita Garcia
B&N Reader
Lara Gelya shares her life growing up in Ukraine and then in the Kyzylkum desert in Uzbekistan, during a time when everything seemed controlled and limited. You can almost feel the heaviness of life under that system, where the decisions were not really yours. What impacted me most was her decision to go. Emigrating is never just about moving from one place to another, but about leaving behind a version of yourself. When she goes to Austria and Italy with almost no money, you can feel that uncertainty, that fear mixed with hope. She proves that the truth is not romantic; it’s difficult, complicated, and sometimes lonely. And when she finally arrives in the United States, the story does not magically become easy. That is something I really appreciated. Learning a new language, trying to find a job, forging friendships from scratch: those are the real battles. The kind that do not seem spectacular on the outside, but take everything from the inside out. There is always that feeling of being between two worlds, not belonging entirely to either here or there. Lara expresses it with such honesty that it does not seem like a story, but rather someone telling you their life story without filters. I really enjoyed this book because it feels true and personal for me. It is not perfect, it is not polished, it is simply real. And that is what makes it powerful and worth reading. I highly recommend
it.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/camel-from-kyzylkum-lara-gelya/1141357567?ean=9781737787808
Pikasho Deka
Readers’ Favorite
The collapse of the Soviet Union is one of the most significant events of the twentieth century. Camel from Kyzylkum is the story of the author, Lara Gelya, an immigrant from the Soviet Union who left her motherland in the late ‘80s and arrived in the United States in search of a better life. However, before she could carve out a life for herself in America, Gelya had to navigate some overwhelming obstacles along the way. Born in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, she completed her studies at the Geological College in Kyiv. From 1968 to 1988, Gelya spent twenty years as a geophysicist working in the Kyzylkum Desert in Uzbekistan to explore and excavate uranium and gold. After a failed marriage, escalating political turmoil forced her to undertake a dangerous journey through multiple countries before her eventual arrival in the land of dreams.
Camel from Kyzylkum is an inspiring real-life story of a woman’s pursuit of a better life against all odds. Lara Gelya provides a vivid account of her experiences as a Soviet Union immigrant who managed to overcome extraordinary challenges and struggles to finally find her dream home. With an unflinching narrative, Gelya lays bare her life story. Her tale showcases the resilient spirit of the human soul and proves that one should never give up hope, even in adversity. Overall, I found Camel from Kyzylkum a thoroughly riveting read and a memoir that I will highly recommend to everyone.
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/camel-from-kyzylkum
Sarah Jayne
Amazon Reader
From the very first pages, it feels less like reading a formal life story and more like listening to someone speak openly and sincerely about her experiences. I found that especially moving. More than anything, the book feels like a reflection on starting over, adapting, and persevering even when the future feels uncertain. I especially appreciated the way the author conveys change and resilience. She does not make rebuilding a life seem easy, and that honesty is part of what makes the memoir so effective. There is a strong sense of growth throughout the book, and I liked how the story presents adaptation as a gradual, difficult, but meaningful process.
The symbol of the camel also felt especially significant to me. It becomes a powerful representation of endurance, patience, and the ability to keep moving forward under difficult conditions. That image gives the memoir an added layer of meaning and captures the spirit of the author’s journey in a simple but memorable way.
I found the memoir engaging, human, and inspiring. What makes it stand out is not just the events behind it, but the emotions and reflections the author brings to them. It leaves a lasting impression because it speaks so thoughtfully about resilience, identity, and hope.
Books Shelf’s
Camel from Kyzylkum stands out as a compelling memoir by Lara Gelya, chronicling her immigration journey from the Soviet Union to America. This narrative isn’t just about traversing geographical landscapes—from Ukraine to the deserts of Uzbekistan and beyond—but also navigating the emotional and spiritual challenges of seeking freedom and a better life.
Lara’s story, enriched by themes of hope, struggle, family, and loss, is a vivid testament to the human spirit’s resilience. Her journey of self-determination and the search for personal truth captivates readers, making the memoir an inspiration. The authenticity and strength of Lara, described by her husband as a “strong and independent woman,” add depth to her experiences, resonating with anyone who values freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
Highly recommended for its inspiring narrative and profound insights into the human quest for a better life, Lara Gelya’s memoir is a remarkable account of courage, hope, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6275556287
Steven Finkelstein
Amazon Reader
This memoir feels thoughtful and deeply personal, and I appreciated how openly and vividly the author shares difficult experiences. That honesty made the story feel authentic and easy to connect with.
I also enjoyed the wide cultural perspective woven throughout the book. The author’s experiences give the memoir a distinctive depth, and I found that element especially compelling. Rather than depending on dramatic twists, it succeeds through its steady, sincere portrayal of resilience and personal growth.
This is a strong choice for readers who enjoy reflective memoirs, especially those centered on perseverance, identity, and building a life through adversity. I would gladly recommend it to readers of memoir and biography.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1ALN90J5SKVVR
Santiago L. R.
Amazon Reader
What I find most interesting in a memoir is not just what happened, but how an author’s life experiences shape the way they choose to tell the story. What caught my attention right away here is that Lara Gelya began writing during the pandemic, when so much of the world was living through uncertainty. Rather than pulling away from reflection during a difficult time, she used that moment to look back on the path her life had taken. That choice made the memoir feel especially meaningful to me because the act of writing becomes its own example of resilience. It feels less like a simple record of past events and more like a thoughtful meditation on how people make sense of their experiences and what they carry forward from them.
What makes the memoir engaging is the sense of movement in the author’s life and the way those experiences shape her perspective. I enjoyed seeing how different stages of her life gradually influenced the way she understands the world. When those parts come together, the story feels personal and genuine rather than distant.
I also appreciated the way the memoir handles difficulty. Hard moments are presented as part of life, not exaggerated for drama. The book does not dwell on hardship simply to emphasize struggle; instead, it focuses on the process of continuing on, making choices, and adapting to change. That gave the memoir a grounded quality I admired. Resilience here does not feel grand or heroic, but familiar and human. It grows through experience, adjustment, and the decision to keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3I2GQMHHX5S8
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