Naomi Ragen | Imamother

amother

Wed, May 01 2024, 8:53 am

I discovered her books and enjoyed them immensely. I loved the out of the box yet Jewish themed ideas.
Any recommendations for similar books?

amother

Clear

Wed, May 01 2024, 9:08 am

I personally found her books a little too negative towards charedi people. I loved Lynda Cohen Loigman. Both of her books were just really good.

hodeez

Wed, May 01 2024, 9:11 am

I read her in high school, she is super anti charedi from what I recall. Seems she's been burned before

amother

Catmint

Wed, May 01 2024, 9:15 am

Her books are a Chillul H-shem. She disgraces frum society. I sincerely regret reading part of one of her books.

Comptroller

Wed, May 01 2024, 9:38 am

amother OP wrote:

I discovered her books and enjoyed them immensely. I loved the out of the box yet Jewish themed ideas.
Any recommendations for similar books?

I also like them.

Do you know Chaim Potok with titles like ""Davita's harp" "My name is Asher Lev" "the promise" "the chosen"?

Or Herman Wouk "Inside Outside"?

amother

Bellflower

Wed, May 01 2024, 9:43 am

I know what you mean. Jewish but for secular audiences.

Ruchama King has some books like that.
So does Nathan Englander.
There’s also The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (I’ve seen the show but it’s based on a book)

amother

Chambray

Wed, May 01 2024, 10:00 am

I find her books to be a chillul hashem
I thought The Ghost of Hanna Mendez was by far the best. The others I read were trash.
If you are looking for more like that, Tova Mirwis has many. The only one I read was The Women’s Axillary, which in my mind was very much on the madrega as The Saturday Wife.

Personally, I would recommend Ronald Balsam.

The beauty Queen of Jerusalem was excellent (read did not watch)

Ruchel

Wed, May 01 2024, 10:07 am

Be careful with Beauty of Jerusalem, it's very anti Sephardic, though it also shows the beauty. It's very unfortunate; and Naomi Ragen apart from Gracia Mendes it's very very anti religion. They also cancelled Rebb. Jungreis zal for her in Geneva...

amother

Clover

Wed, May 01 2024, 11:01 am

I found her books very anti frum. Tova mirvis is similar but less negative although I didn’t find her writing so engaging
Another vote for the chosen by chaim potok
Also the orchard by David hopen

amother

DarkCyan

Wed, May 01 2024, 11:08 am

I loved her first three books from over 30 years ago.
Then they got very strange.
I did like her autobiographical book.

amother

Burlywood

Wed, May 01 2024, 11:23 am

amother Clear wrote:

I personally found her books a little too negative towards charedi people. I loved Lynda Cohen Loigman. Both of her books were just really good.

In that case you'll love the 3rd one! "The Matchmaker's Gift"

You're welcome 😊

sequoia

Wed, May 01 2024, 12:12 pm

I like Naomi Ragen; my favorite of her books is The Saturday Wife, a brilliant and funny satire.

Other books you might enjoy:

Nathan Englander — “For the Relief of Unbearable Urges” and “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank”

Bernard Malamud — The Complete Stories

Naomi Novik — Spinning Silver

Blanche Bendahan — Mazaltob

George Eliot — Daniel Deronda

Joseph Epstein — “The Goldin Boys” and “Fabulous Small Jews.”

Ruchel

Wed, May 01 2024, 3:32 pm

Daniel Deronda is fantastic
Desperately looking for the original Mazaltob

amother

Wed, May 01 2024, 3:55 pm

Wow thanks alll!

I actually don’t mind Naomi pointing out the flaws of chareidi life, I’m aware of them and it’s ok- they’re true. And no one’s perfect

I do feel she always ends up bringing out the true beauty in our world at the end

amother

Thu, May 09 2024, 1:51 pm

Update- I read beauty queen in Jerusalem- loved it! Awesome awesome read!

For the relief of unbearable urges is next up

amother

Thu, May 09 2024, 3:17 pm

Ok - for the relief of unbearable urges is not my style

What’s similar to the beauty queen of Jerusalem?

amother

Clear

Thu, May 09 2024, 4:49 pm

amother Burlywood wrote:

In that case you'll love the 3rd one! "The Matchmaker's Gift"

You're welcome 😊

Thank you. I loved that one as well.