I read Unorthodox | Imamother

Marion

Mon, Jun 04 2012, 1:35 am

I didn't understand the uproar, having finally read it over Shabbat. I also wish the OTD part had been better developed...the lead up was certainly complete. But to leave Judaism so completely wasn't on the radar as I progressed through the pages. It seemed abrupt, and as though she judged all of Judaism as outsiders often judge Orthodoxy...she didn't know anything beyond Satmar so she assumed it was all like that?

Factory Girl

Thu, Jun 21 2012, 5:25 pm

to me, it all comes down to a girl who had an awful childhood, a girl who was neglected and made to feel uninportant and who was s-xual harrasted at 13. how anyone can expect such a girl to grow up and have a healthy point of view of the community or the ppl she grew up with is beyond me. She obviously has issues with attachment.

I feel very bad for her, that she could not see the jewish religion as beautiful and meaningul as it is, but allowed her resentment and the hurt she felt all those years to cloud that.

now, do I think its a good read for anyone?. I think the ONLY ppl that should read this book are religious jew who understand and can discern the situation, not non jews, who all they will do is believe that we are all crazy ppl with crazy rules, which is not the case.

farm

Mon, Aug 20 2012, 2:48 pm

I finally got a chance to read the book. I found it really sad. She was so hungry for love but her family didn't display it in a way she understood. She was so hungry for knowledge but her culture made her feel bad and dirty for feeling that way. I couldn't really blame her for just throwing it all away in the end instead of finding out how she can have her needs met within the framework of her religion, she didn't know Judaism exists outside of the way her sect practiced.

I think she made it fairly obvious that this book was her way out. How else could a single mom without a college degree or family support make it on her own? She was put in touch with an agent or publisher, I don't remember exactly who, and once she was able to secure a book deal, she was able to break away and leave with her son.

I think the writing was good and the story was good. There were some inconsistencies that I think stem from her attributing various life experiences from a bunch of people into one character.

PinkFridge

Tue, Oct 23 2012, 7:41 pm

[quote="saw50st8"][

No one reading this book (or rather, no one with half a brain) will think this story chronicles the entire Chassidish world. Expose/Memoirs are individual. ]

Sorry to be digging up an old thread, not sure if this is the right one to comment on. I have the book, am dabbling in it. Some odd things by p. 30
- Chassidishe women only started shaving after the war?
- This Mrs. Meisels who was a teacher had a long black braid?
- Rabbi Akiva's wife Rochel pinned her skirt down for tznius reasons?

Saw, we see through it, but trust me, there are people who have brains but no Jewish frame of reference who will be lapping this up. DF's doing the Jewish book fair circuit and it might not be pretty.