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Unorthodox

the Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots
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MaxineML
Dec 06, 2013MaxineML rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was an eminently readable memoir. Although brief at times, with certain passages you wished had more explanation and more depth, I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone. I wished for more introspection in certain parts of the book - especially near the end. Although the author is more than aware of her own inner life, she seems strangely reluctant to acknowledge that other people have inner lives too, and that can change situations dramatically. I wished that there were more recollections of conversations between people as that is one of the only ways we get into the heads of others in her family and her community. To those who are accusing Feldman of lying and leaving things out of this memoir I can only say: It is a memoir and not an autobiography. Not your memoir. Not mine. It will not reflect your own experiences of Judaism and religion because it cannot. It is not your story. To those who say that this is an attack on Hasidic Judaism I can only say: This is a memoir. It is her opinion of what occurred to her as she was growing up and living in the community. I did not read it as a screed against all Jews, instead I feel that it condemns all of those communities that value adherence to rules and authority over freedom of thought, independence, individuality and autonomy of self. And I do not think that that criticism can only apply to fringe Jewish communities. Although you can feel the author's youth come through in many of the passages (both because she is young, and because she is writing about things that occurred when she was even younger) it is still a well-crafted piece of work. I can only assume that her writing skills will improve as she gets older. All-in-all a good book, a great memoir – harrowing, depressing, poignant, reassuring and life-affirming. I wish only the best of luck to Deborah Feldman in her current life and with her future projects.