Search My Heart - Sarah Birnhack

Beginner Joined: Jun 10 2011 Posts: 20

Have you read this book? It's written about 30 {edited!} years ago, using the idea of Yosele Schumacher, and making a novel out of it..

I was frustrated when I finished the book, at how the author conveyed such a story. I question at how such a story doesn't make a chillul hashem, aside for the fact that I'm wondering what the point of the story was all about..
I haven't picked up a Jewish novel for a while, and was frustrated that this was the story of the one I did pick up Wink

Maybe some others have got some more positive views!! That's just my vent Wink

its much older then 10 years old. Written probably in the 80s or early 90s.

Excellent book, but fiction. One of my favourite frum books. Sarah Birnhack is an excellent writer. Yes, its loosely based on the Yossele story, but loosely. Even when it was written, it was a while after this story happened, which afaik was widely publicised in the news. I doubt very many secular readers read this book.

If you are interested, family secrets is the follow up to search my heart.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 01 2005 Posts: 16881

It's about 30 years old!
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Gold Member Joined: Jun 01 2009 Posts: 2307

This title made me smile. My mother bought this book when I was very little and although I no longer remember what this book was about it brought up some memories. Perhaps I'll ask her to lend it to me.

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 12 2009 Posts: 13166

I think I read it in 1986; it was pretty new. Loved loved loved. Cried through the second half nonstop. So emotional! Even the horrible parts were beautiful, in their depth.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 01 2005 Posts: 16881

OP, there were very few Jewish authors /books in those days. The standards were different.

I remember also being very bothered by the book at the time. When I finally read the sequel I was even more bothered. I sent Sarah a list of questions about the book and her response was that life isn't always fair and not every story has a happy ending.

This is a really well written book, with out a completely happy ending. That's real life. There is a real attempt at character development, which means that the people aren't black or white - tzaddikim or reshaim, but a combination, lik emost of us are. She got a lot of flack for this, I understand, and switched to writing more typical Jewish novels....
Chaval.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 05 2008 Posts: 2427 Location: UK

I was only born in 1986 but I absolutely loved this book.

Family secrets was even better though. I've read it at least 100 times and sob every time whilst reading it.
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Gold Member Joined: Feb 15 2011 Posts: 1106 Location: UK

One of my favourite Jewish novels growing up. I loved family secrets better and must have read it 10 times over the years, as this one really bothered me too as a kid so I read it less. I had issues with the plot but thats what good books are. Life isn't fair and instead of trying top be a happy predictable Jewish book it is actually good!

Has she written any other novels?

Gold Member Joined: Feb 15 2011 Posts: 1106 Location: UK

Just reading this thread is bringing the nostalgia of the time I enjoyed a good read! Whats out there now that is on par with this? I don't have too much time to read so am not looking to waste my time!

I have been out of the Jewish Novels for at least 5 years! Is there anything worth reading?

tova mirvis's books are good. Not published by a frum publisher, but could (almost) be, totally worth a read.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 15 2011 Posts: 1106 Location: UK

Sun Inside Rain, I think, is the last really good Jewish novel I read.

Sun Inside Rain, I think, is the last really good Jewish novel I read.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 15 2011 Posts: 1106 Location: UK

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4653

There is a world of difference between Rachel Pomerantz' books of old (Wildflowers, Time to Rend-Time to Sew, As Mountains Around Jerusalem) and the newer ones - it's like a new author. I wonder why her style changed.

I liked Full Circle - by Gila Diamond I think (a pen name).

Moderator Joined: Dec 18 2008 Posts: 3611