eserafina42's review against another edition
4.0
Esther Kaminsky is a young Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) girl growing up in Jerusalem in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. Allowed by her indulgent father to attend a secular school, she discovers that she has artistic talent, but her strict religious training defines the drawings and paintings she loves to create as graven images. So begins Talia Carner’s novel Jerusalem Maiden, and this conflict between her joy in her talent and the obligations imposed on her by her faith will haunt Esther through the rest of the book.
This is no simple coming-of-age story with definitive choices and an easy ending for all concerned. Life in the Haredi community is hard and constrictive, especially for a girl who wants something besides a life bearing sons to bring the Messiah, but it is also comforting and secure. Despite her questioning nature, Esther still must fight against the conditioning of her upbringing, as well as the superstition that makes her see any misfortune as a punishment for her wayward behavior.
Moving from Jerusalem to Jaffa and then to post-WWI Paris, Jerusalem Maiden paints a vivid picture of life in those turbulent years, the hardships and the joys, and the difficult and complex choices that this spirited young woman faces in her quest to remain true to herself.
This is no simple coming-of-age story with definitive choices and an easy ending for all concerned. Life in the Haredi community is hard and constrictive, especially for a girl who wants something besides a life bearing sons to bring the Messiah, but it is also comforting and secure. Despite her questioning nature, Esther still must fight against the conditioning of her upbringing, as well as the superstition that makes her see any misfortune as a punishment for her wayward behavior.
Moving from Jerusalem to Jaffa and then to post-WWI Paris, Jerusalem Maiden paints a vivid picture of life in those turbulent years, the hardships and the joys, and the difficult and complex choices that this spirited young woman faces in her quest to remain true to herself.
carolynf's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Another journey in the "feisty girl in an oppressive culture" trope. We start off in 1911 Jerusalem, where everything is disgustingly cramped and vermin-infested. The character's family is obsessed with spiritual purity, like all good ultra-orthodox Jews, so dwelling on the physical filth of their surroundings feels like it is supposed to be some kind of commentary on the pointlessness of their actions, even though something like 90% of urban people lived in the same kind of conditions at that time. We are also repeatedly confronted with women working hard while the men pray and study, which we are supposed to see as doing nothing useful at all. Since none of the men have an actual career, the community exists due to contributions from Jews living elsewhere - they are basically paid to pray. Again - there is a strong feeling of disapproval about this, as if the men are lazy for accepting charity rather than getting a job. The main character is gifted (of course), and wants a way out of this life, but at the same time she doesn't. She wants to have some of the rights that are seen as for men only, and wants to be able to pursue art, but otherwise likes the ritual and rigidity and orderliness of her religion just fine. A lot of other readers were probably annoyed at the ending but I thought it was perfectly appropriate.
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
2.0
Still processing. . .
Things from the book:
"In a boat full of people, a man drilled a hole through the bottom. When the others objected, he said that the hole was only under his own seat. His fellow travelers replied that although he was literally correct, they could all drown." We aren't isolated; the choices that we make do affect others.
"Where was the demarcation line between actions controlled by God and those for which she must take responsibility?" I do believe in a personal, involved God. However, I am much more to look to him for the good in my life, and blame the bad on myself or circumstance. I wouldn't be nearly as inclined as Esther was to assume that all sad/horrible things that happen are the direct consequence of my inability to perfectly obey God's commandments. That's why I ultimately had a hard time relating to Esther.
This was a book club book. Only two of us actually read it, but in the discussion, it seemed as though we each read a different book. That's why I love book club.
Things from the book:
"In a boat full of people, a man drilled a hole through the bottom. When the others objected, he said that the hole was only under his own seat. His fellow travelers replied that although he was literally correct, they could all drown." We aren't isolated; the choices that we make do affect others.
"Where was the demarcation line between actions controlled by God and those for which she must take responsibility?" I do believe in a personal, involved God. However, I am much more to look to him for the good in my life, and blame the bad on myself or circumstance. I wouldn't be nearly as inclined as Esther was to assume that all sad/horrible things that happen are the direct consequence of my inability to perfectly obey God's commandments. That's why I ultimately had a hard time relating to Esther.
This was a book club book. Only two of us actually read it, but in the discussion, it seemed as though we each read a different book. That's why I love book club.
yapha's review against another edition
5.0
I saved this book for a plane ride, and it was just perfect because I could read it all in one sitting! It chronicles the story of Esther Kaminsky, growing up in an ultra-Orthodox sect in Turkish-ruled Jerusalem in the early 1900s. We follow her journey as she fights against the artistic impulses that are forbidden in her community. The book follows her through adulthood, and we are caught between two worlds with her. Highly recommended. (A basic knowledge of ultra-Orthodox Judaism would help understand the nuances of the book.)
iambartacus's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book...for the most part, but I found after all that time and conflict and build up that it was kind of anti-climatic that she just all of a sudden went home with no protest. 3.5/5 stars because I round up, would have been 4/4.5 if the ending had been better.
mslaura's review against another edition
1.0
I really did not enjoy this book. I found the writing style somewhat simplistic and flat. I never felt like I really got to know the characters, and their emotions never came through for me. The book would say that Esther missed her children, but this never seemed to be corroborated by her actions, and in the next paragraph she would seem just happy as a clam without them. It never really felt like a struggle. In fact, Esther made many choices which should have come through as much more of an ethical struggle than they did. It also seemed like the author needed to constantly remind us that Esther was Jewish, whether by someone referring to her as "a Jerusalem maiden", which happened repeatedly, or by her making comments such as "I'm a Jewish mother; I want you to eat" or something to that effect. (Can you say "cliché"?) There were also Yiddish words thrown in frequently with no explanation of their meaning, which I found annoying and confusing. Again, it felt like the author just thought we needed reminding that Esther was Jewish. I also found much of the story unbelievable; it seems unlikely that an unknown 12-year-old's artwork would end up displayed in the Louvre. The idea that a woman who was brought up devoutly religious could believe that God had led her to abandon her children and commit adultery seems preposterous, and it seems equally unlikely that a single event, even the injury of the child she had previously abandoned, would suddenly restore her common sense and send her running back to the life she felt God had led her away from. All in all, I am glad to be finished and moving on to another book.
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
4.0
Having just finished this book, I'm still flailing (internally) and sort of waving my arms because I'm so caught up in the bittersweet ending and the story of the characters. This was a beautiful, moving novel.
The setting of this book was wholly alien to me and yet Carner's writing and brilliantly conceived characters plunged me into the story and Esther's world. Esther might be one of the most moving and compelling heroines I've read in a long time: her complicated relationship with her faith, her God, her family, and her community was gripping.
The early 20th century was a tumultuous time in the world: the Ottoman Empire was crumbling, leaving residents of Jerusalem with famine, outbreaks of disease, conflict among the various communities, a loss of infrastructure; and later, World War I would cause further hardship. For the Esther's Haredi community, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, things are especially difficult, and she chafes at the life her family and her God has envisioned for her, one that, most tragically, requires her to give up her passion and talent in painting.
While this is such a sad story, I found it beautifully written and easy to read. Despite Esther's life being so unlike mine, her emotions and responses were so authentic, I could appreciate and relate to her and I cared so very, very much about how things would turn out for her. I think this would a fantastic book for discussion groups and book clubs, and anyone interested in novels about unusual faith communities. Or, frankly, any reader who wants to be caught up in a beautifully told story.
The setting of this book was wholly alien to me and yet Carner's writing and brilliantly conceived characters plunged me into the story and Esther's world. Esther might be one of the most moving and compelling heroines I've read in a long time: her complicated relationship with her faith, her God, her family, and her community was gripping.
The early 20th century was a tumultuous time in the world: the Ottoman Empire was crumbling, leaving residents of Jerusalem with famine, outbreaks of disease, conflict among the various communities, a loss of infrastructure; and later, World War I would cause further hardship. For the Esther's Haredi community, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, things are especially difficult, and she chafes at the life her family and her God has envisioned for her, one that, most tragically, requires her to give up her passion and talent in painting.
While this is such a sad story, I found it beautifully written and easy to read. Despite Esther's life being so unlike mine, her emotions and responses were so authentic, I could appreciate and relate to her and I cared so very, very much about how things would turn out for her. I think this would a fantastic book for discussion groups and book clubs, and anyone interested in novels about unusual faith communities. Or, frankly, any reader who wants to be caught up in a beautifully told story.
johannalm's review against another edition
5.0
Jerusalem Maiden, Talia Carner
A gorgeously rendered love story about artistic and personal awakening.
In the early 20th century, as the Ottoman Empire is fading, a young ultra orthodox girl is working hard to suppress her natural artistic talent and her desire to capture the world around her through drawing and painting. The struggle is massive because she is a true believer in the religious teachings she was raised under, but she loves the freedom she feels when she expresses her love of the world through art.
When bad things happen to her family Esther blames herself for straying from the strict orthodox ways of her small, tight community where a girl's sole purpose is to bear many children and care for the home. Even knowing she wants to do the right thing, Esther keeps trying to figure out how to prevent herself from being forced to marry a stranger, selected by her parents. She does not want to spend her whole life cooking and cleaning and working for her family while her husband studies to await the arrival of the Messiah. She recognized the unfairness in the burdens placed on women but does not want to upset her parents.
Through some unexpected twists and turns, Esther ends up in Jaffa married to a caring, observant business man. She has continued to suppress her desire to produce art and when circumstances bring her to Paris and to a man she knew when she was young, she finds she is finally able to fulfill her artistic and emotional dreams, or is she.
A mesmerizing and touching story about a very religious group of Jews, the rules that command every aspect of their lives, and what certain members do to break free or survive among their people. Loved this novel and the beautifully executed main character, who finds herself surrounded by so much love and support during her struggles, trials and tribulations. Also loved the setting of Jerusalem and Jaffa in early 1900's. Carner really found a way to make the reader see and feel the growing city of Jaffa and the tight restricted community of Jerusalem where Esther is raised.
A gorgeously rendered love story about artistic and personal awakening.
In the early 20th century, as the Ottoman Empire is fading, a young ultra orthodox girl is working hard to suppress her natural artistic talent and her desire to capture the world around her through drawing and painting. The struggle is massive because she is a true believer in the religious teachings she was raised under, but she loves the freedom she feels when she expresses her love of the world through art.
When bad things happen to her family Esther blames herself for straying from the strict orthodox ways of her small, tight community where a girl's sole purpose is to bear many children and care for the home. Even knowing she wants to do the right thing, Esther keeps trying to figure out how to prevent herself from being forced to marry a stranger, selected by her parents. She does not want to spend her whole life cooking and cleaning and working for her family while her husband studies to await the arrival of the Messiah. She recognized the unfairness in the burdens placed on women but does not want to upset her parents.
Through some unexpected twists and turns, Esther ends up in Jaffa married to a caring, observant business man. She has continued to suppress her desire to produce art and when circumstances bring her to Paris and to a man she knew when she was young, she finds she is finally able to fulfill her artistic and emotional dreams, or is she.
A mesmerizing and touching story about a very religious group of Jews, the rules that command every aspect of their lives, and what certain members do to break free or survive among their people. Loved this novel and the beautifully executed main character, who finds herself surrounded by so much love and support during her struggles, trials and tribulations. Also loved the setting of Jerusalem and Jaffa in early 1900's. Carner really found a way to make the reader see and feel the growing city of Jaffa and the tight restricted community of Jerusalem where Esther is raised.
mimima's review against another edition
2.0
I was fascinated by the setting - an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, but the main character made some choices that I really didn't agree with and it was drawn down by that.
emilybolivia's review against another edition
4.0
What a rollercoaster! I learned a lot about the time period and the culture--my favorite genre. The characters were compelling but left a little to be desired, maybe because there were so many. I wanted to get to know them all.