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Summary: A poignant must read on choosing one's religion
Review: Some people are blessed with the ability to become true-believers without a day of doubt. Others are blessed with the peace of being atheist. Stephen Dubner's parents fell into the former camp. When Stephen Dubner wrote an article on how he grew up devoutly Catholic, discovered that both his parents were converts from Judaism, and then he returned to his family's Jewish roots, it became The Times's most talked about article of 1996. After the Sunday magazine article appeared, he was deluged by letters and calls either inviting him to temples and Sabbath dinners, or criticizing him for returning to the mythology and opiate oppression of religion. Now Stephen has expanded on his article by recounting his deeply personal journey from Catholicism to Judaism. It is about religion, spirituality, hidden family histories, confusion, parents, siblings, as well as the tension, comic errors, and confusion his search and return created. Broken into three sections, Dubner begins by focusing on the paths his mother (Florence Greenglass / Veronica) and father (Sol Dubner/ Paul) independently took to Catholicism, their Jewish roots, the reactions of their parents and siblings (sitting shiva), their marriage, and early wedded life. Section Two begins with the birth of Veronica and Paul's eighth child, Stephen J. (all the kids got a first or middle name of either Joseph or Mary), and his life in rural New York, a life of limited money that rotated around Mass, doing rosaries on the front lawn, being a good altar boy, the Catholic feasts, and catechism. Section Three focuses on Stephen's increased interest in Judaism, how his stories for an earlier job at New York Magazine drew him into a world of New York Jewish personalities, his search for Jewish relatives in Brooklyn, his quest to learn more about his father (who died suddenly after giving a speech at a charismatic-Catholic prayer meeting when Stephen was a boy), his trip back to Judaism, and his reconciliation with his devoutly Catholic mother (with some advice from Cardinal O'Connor). Basically, a poignant memoir and a must read.
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Summary: A Deeply Moving, Heartfelt Memoir of Spiritual Struggles
Review: Stephen Dubner, a former New York Times writer and editor, has written a deeply moving, heartfelt memoir of the struggles of two generations to find a religious home. His parents, both raised in Jewish homes (one devoutly orthodox and the other largely secular) by first-generation immigrants from Russia and Poland, reach adulthood during the turbulent years of World War II. Both his father and his mother grapple with their Jewish tradition and their personal religious beliefs and, ultimately, become converts to Roman Catholicism. Like many converts, the decision by Stephen's parents to adopt a new religion is not made lightly and results in a deeply didactic religious practice. Stephen grows up in a home where devout Catholic religious practice is the norm and where little is ever mentioned about the Jewish tradition his parents have rejected. As an adult, Stephen embarks on his own religious search, inheriting the same "turbulent soul" that had so deeply marked his parents' lives. Dubner aptly quotes John Henry Newman, the famous Anglican cardinal who converted to Roman Catholicism, who says, "who can know himself and the multitude of subtle influences which act upon him." He then explores, in wonderfully clear and readable prose, the many subtle influences which marked his parents' soul-searching religious struggles, as well as his own. Dubner's exploration leads him to learn more about his parents and their lives, the history of his family and its Eastern European Jewish roots, and, ultimately, to an understanding and reconciliation with his mother, who maintains her firm Catholic convictions to the end, even as Dubner returns to the Jewish faith of his grandparents. Ultimately, Dubner's memoir has an important message--that every individual who has a "turbulent soul" and seeks religious faith must be accorded the respect and autonomy of his or her beliefs. It is a message for parents, for children, and for members of all faiths: do not become so certain of your own religious "truth" that you alienate and reject the sincere, but different, beliefs of others. As Dubner says at the end of his narration of the struggle of three turbulen souls, "[i]f I am sure of one thing about God, it is that our most brilliant ideas about Him are sheer guesswork."
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Summary: A Fascinating Spiritual Journey
Review: Turbulent Souls gives a fine account of the many journeys that took place within the Dubner Family Tree. Stephen Dubner traces his family roots which amazingly were rooted in Judaism. Its quite interesting how both of Stephen's parents became Catholics. In the case of Stephen's father, Sol(later Paul)it seemed as if he was rebelling against his overbearing father. Paul's story shows you that you cannot force feed religion into a young soul trying to emerge.As for Stephen's mother, Florence(later Veronica) the religious influence was fairly weak at home. Not to mention any sort of guidance as Veronica recalls rarely spending time at home during her teen years. Therefore, Veronica became a willing convert. Very compelling is the effects this dual conversion had upon this future couples family. In Judaism very often a period of mourning takes place and surely Paul became lost to his original family. Amazingly Paul and Veronica seemd to become perfect Catholics to the point of almost totally denying any past affiliation with their Jewish roots. Stephen's life goes through many turbulent periods. His exposure to the Catholic religion is a lot at first. Whereas he does not reject these teachings, over time Stephen develops other interests most notably the desire to become a musician. Like his parents, he encounters people who encourage him to explore his roots. When he finally does, Stephen becomes enamored with his family history and researches his roots to the point of exploring towns which were touched by the Holocaust. In spite of the difference of opinion with his mother's own spiritual path, Stephen is able to keep this relationship positive. Furthermore, he creates strong bonds with other family members both Catholic and Jewish. Whereas Stephen's articles meet with feedback both good and bad, at least our hero can say he was able to evolve spiritually while touching others along the way. I highly recommend this biography which interweaves the spiritual journey of a family over the course of this past century.
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Summary: An interesting and very enlightening memoir
Review: Whenever I hear about someone changing their religious affiliation I am often curious as to what factors brought about the change. Especially if that person has gone from Judaism to Catholicism or vice versa. Well this book presents a thorough examination into both those types of conversions. First Mr. Dubner explains the history behind his Jewish parents' decision to embrace Roman Catholicism so fervently in their youth, even to the point of giving themselves Christian names. They became the most devout of Catholics and raised their eight children accordingly. As the book progresses we then learn of all the factors that combine to make the author decide to seek out his Jewish roots and ultimately return to them. As a Catholic, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was not any sort of rant against the Church and its teachings. Rather, it treats both Catholicism and Judaism with the utmost respect. There is one point when Mr. Dubner is seeking to find answers from his mother about why she turned away from Judaism where he does try to convince her of what he feels are some serious shortcomings of the Catholic Church. But then he readily admits and humorously so that he is just acting like a petulant child. I have great admiration for his mother, who never once wavered from her faith in Catholicism and also for the author, who finally reached the place where he knew he had to follow the way that was best for him, which was Judaism. This is an excellent and very well-written memoir!
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Summary: A spiritual journey for any religion
Review: I was raised Catholic and really not happy with the Church so I was a little wary of the book when it came time to read it for my book club. I could not have been more wrong about how this book would affect me! It was absolutely wonderful. The author was able to write with detail without being long-winded. The feelings that he had about his religions/cultures, both Catholic and Jewish I could relate to by the way he wrote. With each step in his spiritual journey I felt like I was cheering him on to find out what his truth was and where he felt he belonged in his religious life. It gave me many things to ponder both from what he wrote and what he quoted from others, Jewish and Catholic. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who is unsure of their faith. It will not answer your questions, but it will help you answer them on your own. It is also a wonderful book for anyone with a strong faith of their own.
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Summary: Growing up Catholic
Review: I have to say the main reason I bought this book was because I too am from the little town The Dubner's lived in and I remember Stephen since he was my youngest brother's age and the thing everyone knew about his family was that they were probably the most devout catholic's in our area so it was very interesting to learn of his families true roots. I had no clue of his lineage since as Steve describes our town was not very diverse for the most part it was an all white community in the middle of nowhere anyone new was noticed right away and everyone knew what everyone else was up to there is the Our Lady of Fatima church and 3 other presbyterian and episcopalian churches in the area but no temples. I had no clue until reading this book that he had such an interesting lineage and I applaud the fact that he chose to find out about and return to his heritage it took alot of courage to defy his mother on this subject!!!! I only hope that now he has found the answers he was looking for and lives a long and happy life!!!!!!
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Summary: Interesting story, excellent writing
Review: Boy I enjoyed this book. The author paints the picture of his parents who converted from Judaism to Catholicism, and he goes on an investigation to find out why. I did find his descriptions of Christianity to be somewhat strange at times, however, especially considering he was supposed to be from a devout Catholic home. He mentions his impression of Jesus as having been defeated in his death - broken, wanting to get off the cross and escape his fate, but being overpowered finally. That was very strange for me to read, as I don't think it's the view most Christians hold of the crucifixion, especially those who are very firm in their belief or have been reared in the kind of home as the author describes. It was just something that seemed contradictory and puzzling in the book. Nonetheless, this is an excellent read. Sensitive, sad, beautiful. I'm not sure the author ever gets a true answer to his questions of why his parents converted, but he does find an answer for his own searching for a spiritual home. His mother also shows incredible patience and tolerance for what must have been just as "turbulent" for her to relive as it was for her son. A multifaceted book that is well worth reading.
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Summary: An absolutely compelling read that hit home.
Review: I was raised by a secular Jewish mother and a devout Christian. I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood, and in an attempt to fit in, I desperately tried to "be Jewish," by going to synagogue regularly, joining Hillel in college, dating only Jewish men, etc. But none of it felt right. Only when I became an Anglican did I feel that I had "come home." Regardless of the fact that my search for Truth was in the opposite direction of Mr. Dubner's, I was drawn to his story and could not put it down. I felt the pain his parents experienced when their families disowned them, and got angry with him when he treated his mother and her beliefs with disrespect. Overall, however, this book made me think hard about my own experiences. I stopped feeling guilty that I had abandoned a beautiful religious tradition. I found another that makes me feel closer to God. And isn't that what it's all about?
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Summary: Inspiring clarity
Review: I enjoyed this book greatly and, like a number of others, had a hard time putting it down. The writing is beautiful and lyrical. The book helped me look at my own Catholic upbringing. I appreciated the author's honesty and insight.
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Summary: The Best Book Proving Individuals' Needs to Choose Own Faith
Review: I was raised Jewish, and am very satisfied with my own religion. Even so, I feel that there are many people who feel strongly compelled to choose a religion they were not born into. We are all individuals, and have unique spiritual needs; I do believe that is why there are so many different religions in the world. Dubner's story is the best example I have ever seen. His parents left the Judaism of their birth, and immersed themselves fully in Catholicism. Similarly, as ironic as it was, the author eventually grows alienated from the very same religion which had been so compelling for his own parents, and turns to the religon they rejected. His story, how he found his way to Judaism, is the best part of the book. His needs were very different from those his parents had had. Two other points which I think are important: The first is, I thought his immense desire for his mother to completely accept his turning to Judaism was overdone. He even admits she was the most devout Catholic he had ever known; it would have been unrealistic to think she could have completely accepted his turning to the very religion that she had left herself. Also, I thought it was tremendously sad that the author's paternal relatives turned their backs on his father when he became Catholic. I was not surprised at all, as I have observed this firsthand, myself. I just am saddened when an individual, such as Dubner's father, had to choose between his own spiritual needs, and the terrible pain of never seeing his own father again. In any event, this book is incredible, and I recommend it for anyone seeking his or her own spiritual path. We are truly fortunate to be living in a country where there is freedom of religion, and individuals can choose what their souls need.
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