noemiveenendaal's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
veryperi22's review against another edition
5.0
"Its not the kerchief or a radio or any one thing I want. They're things i want to have and forget about, things not worth fighting for. I don't want to fight for anything. I want to just be and do, with no one saying they're letting me."
I'm surprised this book doesn't have more exposure in the hasidic/ ex hasidic circle.
This is a beautifully written, painful and worthy read.
I'm surprised this book doesn't have more exposure in the hasidic/ ex hasidic circle.
This is a beautifully written, painful and worthy read.
disasterchick's review against another edition
3.0
I found this to be interesting but confusing. I wasn’t sure what was reality and what was her daydreams. I found Rachel to be disappointing and really only her mother evolved in the story. It was an easy read.
mpimental's review
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rebeccafromflorida's review against another edition
4.0
The Romance Reader by Pearl Abraham is a book that was brought to my attention recently, while reading Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman.
Unorthodox is the true story of Deborah’s “escape” from a strict Hasidic (Jewish) community. One of her inspirations for leaving was Pearl Abraham’s novel, The Romance Reader.
And it’s interesting, too, because The Romance Reader really is the fictional version of Unorthodox.
The title is sooo misleading: this book is NOT a romance.
For the full review, visit Love at First Book
Unorthodox is the true story of Deborah’s “escape” from a strict Hasidic (Jewish) community. One of her inspirations for leaving was Pearl Abraham’s novel, The Romance Reader.
And it’s interesting, too, because The Romance Reader really is the fictional version of Unorthodox.
The title is sooo misleading: this book is NOT a romance.
For the full review, visit Love at First Book
oryx27's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
abbythompson's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting insight into the generational divide and subsequent conflict of a young girl coming of age in an Hassidic community in New York State. I wanted to like Rachel more and feel more connected to her story, but her situations was so frequently unsympathetic. The people surrounding her were so selfish and cruel that it was impossible to find much that redeemed any of them and therefore empathize with Rachel.
A good read, but not a great one.
A good read, but not a great one.
mikki_9's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It was cathartic and relatable. It brought up a lot of feelings (emotional trauma) from both a similar relationship with my mum as a young child and time spent in a fundamentalist community as a teenager and young adult.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Moderate: Abandonment, Suicide, Sexual content, and Fatphobia
Minor: Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Adult/minor relationship
cdfan's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Disappointing. The was no growth in the main character. She just complained.