TITLE: On Division
AUTHOR: Goldie Goldbloom
PUBLISHER: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
PUB. YEAR: 2019
SETTING: Brooklyn, NY
FORMAT: audio/library
FORMAT: audio/library
RATING - 4.5/5
Suri Eckstein, the protagonist of this insightful novel, is a Chasidic Jew who finds herself pregnant with twins at age 57. She and her husband, Yidel, who is 62, have 10 children between the ages of 13 and 39. Her fears about what her husband will say and what their tight-knit community will think prevent her from talking about the pregnancy. The couple lost a son who was gay to the AIDs epidemic, a few years earlier, so she feels as if she will be forever disgraced. Ashamed of her situation, the only ones who knows Suri is expecting is the staff at the community clinic where she also volunteers and checks in for her health checks.
I thought the author did a great job exploring the internal dilemma Suri is dealing with. The story was both serious and funny. I loved the sweet, loving relationship Suri and Yidel had, yet she still felt unable to confide in him. The story is rich in detail and Chasidic tradition. The language, early on , felt very foreign to me but, it didn't take long for me to just read and enjoy. The ending felt somewhat like a convenient wrap up, but, I liked it. Even though this was a work of fiction, I feel like I learned a lot about Chasidic culture and taboos.
Suri Eckstein, the protagonist of this insightful novel, is a Chasidic Jew who finds herself pregnant with twins at age 57. She and her husband, Yidel, who is 62, have 10 children between the ages of 13 and 39. Her fears about what her husband will say and what their tight-knit community will think prevent her from talking about the pregnancy. The couple lost a son who was gay to the AIDs epidemic, a few years earlier, so she feels as if she will be forever disgraced. Ashamed of her situation, the only ones who knows Suri is expecting is the staff at the community clinic where she also volunteers and checks in for her health checks.
I thought the author did a great job exploring the internal dilemma Suri is dealing with. The story was both serious and funny. I loved the sweet, loving relationship Suri and Yidel had, yet she still felt unable to confide in him. The story is rich in detail and Chasidic tradition. The language, early on , felt very foreign to me but, it didn't take long for me to just read and enjoy. The ending felt somewhat like a convenient wrap up, but, I liked it. Even though this was a work of fiction, I feel like I learned a lot about Chasidic culture and taboos.
That does sound like it would be rather interesting!
ReplyDeleteFascinating Brian.
DeleteI've had this on my radar. Glad to know you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice surprise.
DeleteIt sounds interesting--I can't imagine how one would feel being pregnant with twins at 57.
ReplyDeleteThe horror! LOL
DeleteThis sounds like an intriguing story. Excellent review, Diane!
ReplyDeleteGreat and different work of fiction, although, I wonder if in part it may be true.
DeleteThis is appealing to me. It is an interesting community, though lately a lot has come out about how horrible it can be for women. Think of being pregnant at that age! It means I would have a fourteen year old right now. Whew! Really?
ReplyDeleteThis was so different in many ways. Yes, I am happy I had my children in my early-mid 20's.
DeleteI hadn't heard of this before, but it sounds wonderful - certainly a unique plot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it -
Sue
Book By Book
"Unique" is the perfect word choice - try it.
DeleteThis one sounds interesting and it's always great to learn about a new-to-me culture.
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of this one mainly because of the community in which it takes place. An inside look at such a community almost has to be fascinating.'
ReplyDeleteBut...twins as a 57-year-old mother and 62-year-old-father...that's the world I REALLY want to hear about. Wow.
Yes, this book was so different in many ways.
DeleteSounds like a good one!
ReplyDeleteVery good - and different -- Judy.
DeleteI've read a bit on this culture and find it a tough one (for women). That is firmly only my opinion!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds an emotional read. Pregnant at 57 is hard in many ways. I'd love to see how it turns out.
I think you would enjoy this one.
DeleteThere is a lot of truth in fiction and I love it when I can feel that I've truly learned something new or been able to connect with a previously unfamiliar culture through a novel. This one seems like it might fill the bill!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was surprised by how interesting this was for fiction.
ReplyDelete