A review by lucy_qhuay
Joheved by Maggie Anton

2.0

This is a tricky book to rate.

The writing is actually not bad, the problem is entirely with the plot and its consequences on the characters.

'Joheved' is a book about (extremely young) women having sex, getting pregnant, having abortions or dying in child birth, with a bit of Jewish wisdom in the middle.

A lot of what I read of the Jewish wisdom, was completely ridiculous. I wonder whether Jews really believe in all that stuff. If they do, I can only see three reactions when you read this book:

1. believe and wholeheartedly agree
2. laugh and laugh some more
3. roll of the eyes

Plus, I didn't like the light the author put on Christianity.

I've never heard about us Christians believing non baptized babies would go to hell. Absolutely ridiculous!

So, you see, I don't feel that I have a greater understanding of the Jewish religion and their teachings. On the contrary.

And I didn't much care about the life of Salomon aka Rashi and his daughters.

Long story short, Anton didn't know how to present the information, so as to make the entire experience to her readers.