mrsbond's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting look at the life of women in a strict Jewish community, and what defines "real" faith (following the rules because you have to versus following them with joy and zeal).
zhelana's review against another edition
4.0
This book broke my heart, and didn't put it back together again. I'm so glad I found the Jewish community that I did and not one like is depicted in this book. This book had a really weird ending, and I'm not sure it tied things together very nicely, but here we are. There were too many strings left untied at the end of the novel. I did really like having the narrator be someone we never meet. She joins the ladies auxiliary and does all the things they do as a group, but she never gets a name or a daughter or husband or interacts with the main character at all. Very curious. But it made the book a lot more interesting, I think, than had it been told from the main character's viewpoint.
cecilybooks's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
carmenhartjensen's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I found myself thinking a lot about my own faith, habits and communities I am a part of. It prompted some great self-reflection. I'm not sure everyone would have this reaction, but I recommend this book.
alexrudd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This book examines the Orthodox Jewish community in Memphis Tennessee. The families there have generally been there for generations. Children may leave for a time, but they come home to marry and raise their families. Their orthodox community isn't as large as those found in New York, but it's a close-knit community, with a high value placed on conformity.
Batsheva and her young daughter move into the community and shake things up. Batsheva married a man whose family had left Memphis. She is a convert to Judaism. After her husband died, she brought her daughter to the community he had lived in, hoping to obtain for them both a community of faith and support.
Batsheva's orthodoxy is different: she seeks to understand the spiritual basis for the traditions. Her worship is thoughtful, emotional and spiritual, not just traditional or cultural. Her passion, especially as a convert, justifies the faith of the women who have been in the community all their lives. It assures them they aren't missing as much as they fear by avoiding the larger world.
But the daughters of the community are restless. They are questioning whether or not they want to be religious, what it means, how it looks. They aren't so sure they want the life their mothers are carving out for them, and they know there is no having that conversation with mom. But they can with Batsheva. When some girls begin to rebel/explore alternatives more openly, the mothers of the community begin to circle the gossip wagon: something must be done about Batsheva.
As I've looked at other reviews of this book, I see that many readers are Mormon, and they often identify with Batsheva - converts coming into an established community. Perhaps they have world experience, and are meeting with other women who are fearful that this wider experience might lead their children to experiment with alternatives before "settling down" to a spiritual/Mormon life.
I'm also Mormon, but as a 4th-5th generation member, living in a predominantly LDS community, I read to see if I could identify myself in the community: am I more cultural than spiritual? How do I receive new members/visitors to my ward? What about people who don't look/think/act like me in my ward?
The part that most gripped me was the mothers' fear. I've been there - watching children reject something I find so precious and valuable. I've felt that fear, that panic almost - and I've also done stupid things because of my fear. I've had to accept that kids are going to make their own choices, whatever I wish; and I have learned that when my actions are motivated by fear or anger, they will almost certainly be wrong.
I look forward to sharing this book with my book club - I think we could have a really great discussion!
Batsheva and her young daughter move into the community and shake things up. Batsheva married a man whose family had left Memphis. She is a convert to Judaism. After her husband died, she brought her daughter to the community he had lived in, hoping to obtain for them both a community of faith and support.
Batsheva's orthodoxy is different: she seeks to understand the spiritual basis for the traditions. Her worship is thoughtful, emotional and spiritual, not just traditional or cultural. Her passion, especially as a convert, justifies the faith of the women who have been in the community all their lives. It assures them they aren't missing as much as they fear by avoiding the larger world.
But the daughters of the community are restless. They are questioning whether or not they want to be religious, what it means, how it looks. They aren't so sure they want the life their mothers are carving out for them, and they know there is no having that conversation with mom. But they can with Batsheva. When some girls begin to rebel/explore alternatives more openly, the mothers of the community begin to circle the gossip wagon: something must be done about Batsheva.
As I've looked at other reviews of this book, I see that many readers are Mormon, and they often identify with Batsheva - converts coming into an established community. Perhaps they have world experience, and are meeting with other women who are fearful that this wider experience might lead their children to experiment with alternatives before "settling down" to a spiritual/Mormon life.
I'm also Mormon, but as a 4th-5th generation member, living in a predominantly LDS community, I read to see if I could identify myself in the community: am I more cultural than spiritual? How do I receive new members/visitors to my ward? What about people who don't look/think/act like me in my ward?
The part that most gripped me was the mothers' fear. I've been there - watching children reject something I find so precious and valuable. I've felt that fear, that panic almost - and I've also done stupid things because of my fear. I've had to accept that kids are going to make their own choices, whatever I wish; and I have learned that when my actions are motivated by fear or anger, they will almost certainly be wrong.
I look forward to sharing this book with my book club - I think we could have a really great discussion!
alissabar's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting look into an Orthodox Jewish society from the eyes of the women. I loved the voice of the book. I spent a good portion of the book trying to figure out which woman was speaking but finally discovered that it was the voice of the community telling the story. Very unique and successful way to narrate. It was also interesting to see similarities between their community and my own.
booksandchicks's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed learning about Jewish culture in this book. It takes place in Memphis, TN where apparently there is a large group of Jewish people. This book also shows the power of a group of people to ones detriment or benifit.
kdferrin's review against another edition
4.0
I think most of the people on my friends list can relate to this tight knit religious community within a community that somehow fosters the superwoman complex among it's members. This was a neat look into the orthodox Jewish culture, however, the gossip, self-righteousness and constant need to do bigger and better got a bit heavy handed at times.
lizbusby's review against another edition
4.0
A really interesting style: the first person plural really captures the feeling of a small community. I liked the commentary of the cons of an exclusive religious community, but don't feel the writer quite nailed the pros. The ending was inevitable but still unsatisfying, as no community saving conclusion is reached.