Laura Esther Wolfson earned the prestigious 2017 Iowa Prize for Literary Nonfiction for her collection of personal essays, For Single Mothers Working as Train Conductors. Through thirteen essays, Wolfson delves into her own experiences and delves into themes such as marriage, Judaism, illness, her longing for motherhood, the complexities of translation, and the limitations of language. As an interpreter and translator with vast international exposure, the author takes readers on a journey to Russia, Paris, and New York as she reflects on the challenges of adulthood.
The book opens in the Soviet Union where Wolfson recounts her initial marriage. She discusses issues like pregnancy, babies, and birth control, highlighting the scarcity of diaphragm birth control in Soviet Russia. Despite having access to various birth control methods, Wolfson, an American, desires to conceive while her Russian husband hesitates. The narrative sheds light on the cultural and language barriers between them. The essays touch on themes of loss and disappointment, scrutinizing her relationships with ex-partners, a landlord, or an employer, as well as self-reflection.
Themes of loss and longing are interwoven throughout the memoir, following the author’s diagnosis of a severe lung condition while in Paris. This health setback leads her to New York City where she grapples with unsatisfactory job situations due to her illness. The essays demonstrate Wolfson’s frustrations through her experiences in navigating personal and professional challenges.
Within the memoir, emotional turmoil unfolds as Wolfson recalls pivotal moments in her relationships, particularly with her first husband, and her struggles with health complications preventing her from conceiving with her second partner. The author candidly reflects on missed opportunities, notably turning down a translation project that later garnered the Nobel Prize. These instances of regret and loss shape her reflections on personal decisions and professional endeavors.
In the essay “The Book of Disaster,” Wolfson traverses diverse topics like Yiddish, Holocaust survivors, translation issues, and the complexities of publishing. Her narrative threads together various elements, showcasing her empathy for others’ struggles. As the collection concludes, Wolfson poses introspective questions about her past choices and contemplates the trajectory of her future work.
