This book recounts the personal experiences of a woman who learned three languages (French, Italian, and English) in addition to her native Russian. She learned French as an emotional and intellectual escape from difficult conditions as a Jew in the Soviet Union, then learned Italian in Italy while she and her family waited to gain entrance into the United States. Acquiring English as an immigrant to the United States forced a reckoning with her everyday life in America, when she realized her French persona was a fantasy and she must acculturate to the United States. The very personal account deals with internal struggles and the process of clarifying identity in youth and as an adult, a language teacher, an immigrant, and a language learner. Contains references. (MSE)