America, America

Elia Kazan, ethnic Greek but Turkish by birth, tells the story of the struggles of his uncle, Stavros Topouzoglou, in emigrating to America. In the 1890's, the young, kind-hearted but naive Stavros lives in Anatolia, where the Greek and Armenian minorities are repressed by the Turks, often through violent means. Even Stavros being friends with an Armenian was frowned upon. As such, Stavros dreamed of a better life - specifically in America - where, as a result, he could make his parents proud by his grand accomplishments. Instead, his parents, with most of their money, send Stavros to Constantinople to help fund the carpet shop owned by his first cousin once removed. What Stavros encounters on his journey, made on foot with a small donkey, makes him question life in Anatolia even further. Once in Constantinople, his resolve to earn the 110 Turkish pound third class fare to the United States becomes stronger than ever. Only an earlier good deed may have help him ultimately achieve his goal of reaching the United States and a better life.


"An astonishing, moving narrative... beautiful."

- The New York Times Book Review


"What Kazan has done many times before in moving pictures, he has no accomplished with moving words."

- Budd Schulberg


"Elia Kazan knows how to pack emotion into a story... flicking scenes with the in-and-out thrust of drama."

- The New York Times


"America, America is Elia Kazan's brilliant first novel that became a masterful motion picture. Both the novel and the film are the creations of the unique genius who created A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, ON THE WATERFRONT, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE ARRANGEMENT, and now the magnificent new bestseller, THE ASSASSINS. Marvelous."

- James Baldwin