Giving Up America

Rating:
Summary: all surface, no inner lives
Review: this book is not really about a man leaving his wife for a model. That would be a very shortsighted and superficial way to look at this book. I am a 27 yr old catholic woman but I could really relate to Deena. She is really someone caught between two worlds like many women my age who felt like marriage was the answer but found out it can keep you from being a truly magnificent woman and forces you to compromise much of your inner integrity. As a first generation american albeit of irish descent, I could also relate to her feelings about keeping hasidic tradition as opposed to the more americanized orthodox jewish ways. This is something that I also have to deal with in my search for a life partner because most american men do not understand the way that I was brought up and I find it difficult to find a good alignment to my ideas and feelings. Americans do not realize how difficult it can be at times to truly blend in on a very deep level. The character was very interesting and really is on a journey to live with integrity as a unique individual in the american landscape. The title of reflects the main characters toying with the idea of just giving up and moving back to Jerusalem and living a traditional life. I will not give away the ending but obviously this book spoke to me and I look forward to reading other novels by this author.

Rating:
Summary: giving up
Review: this book is not really about a man leaving his wife for a model. That would be a very shortsighted and superficial way to look at this book. I am a 27 yr old catholic woman but I could really relate to Deena. She is really someone caught between two worlds like many women my age who felt like marriage was the answer but found out it can keep you from being a truly magnificent woman and forces you to compromise much of your inner integrity. As a first generation american albeit of irish descent, I could also relate to her feelings about keeping hasidic tradition as opposed to the more americanized orthodox jewish ways. This is something that I also have to deal with in my search for a life partner because most american men do not understand the way that I was brought up and I find it difficult to find a good alignment to my ideas and feelings. Americans do not realize how difficult it can be at times to truly blend in on a very deep level. The character was very interesting and really is on a journey to live with integrity as a unique individual in the american landscape. The title of reflects the main characters toying with the idea of just giving up and moving back to Jerusalem and living a traditional life. I will not give away the ending but obviously this book spoke to me and I look forward to reading other novels by this author.

Rating:
Summary: A Story Told Too Often
Review: This was a quick and easy read. Pearl Abraham is able to capture details that the reader can relate to. Unfortunatley, this scenario happens too frequently, not enough thought put in to the relationship before marriage.
It was interesting however how the author's insight into Deena's denial and "allowing" Daniels other relationship.
Daniel's character wasn't developed, which was disappointing, but maybe the author only wanted us to see it from Deena's point of view.
The good thing about this book was it was an easy and entertainong read.
The bad thing was it is a sad story that is told too often.

Rating:
Summary: A Story Told Too Often
Review: This was a quick and easy read. Pearl Abraham is able to capture details that the reader can relate to. Unfortunatley, this scenario happens too frequently, not enough thought put in to the relationship before marriage.
It was interesting however how the author's insight into Deena's denial and "allowing" Daniels other relationship.
Daniel's character wasn't developed, which was disappointing, but maybe the author only wanted us to see it from Deena's point of view.
The good thing about this book was it was an easy and entertainong read.
The bad thing was it is a sad story that is told too often.

Rating:
Summary: Slow, painful build up
Review: This was tough to read. It was gloomy from the beginning, and maintained that gloominess until nearly the end. The subject matter continues to fascinate, but the plot was predictable (you saw the end coming as soon as the young girl was introduced and then you just waded through, painfully). There was no sympathy for the absurd husband, and no understanding why the main character would have ever chosen him. Still, it was vividly described, and I could relate to the situation, but missing was the joy of The Romance Reader. I'll still look forward to more from Pearl Abraham.

Rating:
Summary: A boring page-turner
Review: Well, my summary would seem to be a contradication in terms, but it's true. I kept reading, borne along by the details, while at the same time I was bored by the plot, of which there was very little. I was interested in the main character's feelings, but thought her husband was a jerk. I read quickly to the end just to get it over with. I can't believe this book was published when so few books of the "mid list," non-violent, non-sexy, type are. Oh well. The author probably had a two book contract.