- Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
- Publisher: Harper; Reissue edition (Oct 28 1993)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0061007072
- ISBN-13: 978-0061007071
- Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 9.9 x 3.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 227 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,061,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Ragen's second novel (after Jephte's Daughter ) revisits the insular world of ultrareligious Jews, focusing on the Reich family's three daughters and how they fare in the elemental rite of passage--marriage. In the Haredi community (made up of Jews who observe "the tiniest dictate of law" and have "boundless contempt" for all things secular), a matchmaker handles--and sometimes mishandles--nuptials based on dowry, piety and family ties, and only incidentally on love or compatibility. Harsh as these customs may seem, Ragen's detailed and thoughtful evocations of daily life in such an enclave offer insights into its members' beliefs. The drama centers on the Reichs' devout middle daughter, Dina, who tries to reconcile her desires and dreams within the confines of her narrow world. How she becomes a sotah (a woman suspected of adultery), her banishment from see ing her husband and young child, and the ultimate reconciliation of her strict faith with the meaningful aspects of a secular society form the heart of this very readable, but at times simplistic novel. Ragen is most successful when she tells the story from the vantage point of the haredi world, less so when her characters are secular Jews. A stronger work of fiction than Jephte's Daughter , the narrative holds the reader's attention throughout.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Kirkus Reviews
Love-conquers-all genre takes on deep philosophical questions as Ragen (Jephte's Daughter, 1989) continues her exploration of orthodox Jewish life in this story of a woman accused of adultery- -the sotah. The setting is the ultraorthodox milieu of Jerusalem, where the men study the Torah in yeshivas while their wives bear numerous children, clean and cook, and find outside work to supplement their meager incomes. Here, heroine Dina's struggle to be independent and still religiously observant provides the more profound concerns of a story that, despite its religious background, is basically your typically rosy fade-out into a technicolor sunset, with all problems--and they are not insubstantial--wrapped up in the last chapter. Dina Reich, the beautiful and dutiful daughter of Rabbi Reich and his remarkably energetic and saintly wife, yearns for love, for knowledge of a wider world than the narrow one she is confined to. A brief romance, ended because her family could not pay the requisite dowry, means that Dina must accept a husband chosen by the sect's matchmaker and approved by her parents. She marries good but painfully inarticulate Judah, a carpenter; bears a child; then, bored and lonely, begins a relationship with a more worldly neighbor. Though it's not consummated, religious vigilantes threaten her, and at their behest she flees to New York, where she works as a maid for a wonderful family, who, when she breaks down, do all they can to bring about the inevitable happy ending. Not only is Dina reunited with Judah, whose virtues she now appreciates, but she also finds a satisfactory compromise between the comforting security of religion and tradition and the more fulfilling aspects of sectarian life. Richness of faith and family lovingly evoked, with the other side--religious and cultural intolerance--equally given its due, but it all seems too easy. Philosophy lite. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read!,
By "californiasunandsea" (California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sotah (Paperback)
I first read the Sacrifice of Tamar, by N. Ragen, and found it to be excellent, (so good I had to buy this one!) but then I read Sotah, and it was even better! I am not jewish and this book gives a fastinating look into Ortodox jewish lives and the choices made in this culture. It was wonderful to read and begin to understand a lot more about people raised in this culture. Sotah even broaches into the non-orthodox world late in the book, and much like a "recovering catholic" has another non-religious jewish family come to terms and reconcile with their jewish past. The issues in this book (and Sacrifice of Tamar) would be faced by many in strict religious groups, and there is a great beauty in all of the realtionships and the different ways people come to look upon and reconcile with their faith. I would recommend this book very highly! This book has made me very interested in other books by this author!
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite since Grapes of Wrath!!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Sotah (Paperback)
This is my new favorite book...what a masterpiece! I truly connected with Sotah, the beautiful writing, the strong emotion, and the rich characters. A traditional Jew, I was educated in The Yeshivah culture all the way through high school. Never truly connecting to the orthodox movement, this was my first step to truly understanding the unbelievable intricacies of the Hasidic world. I feel so well educated and touched on a higher level after reading this magnificent book. No matter what religious background you come from, Sotah will enrich your life!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sotah,
By A Customer
This review is from: Sotah (Paperback)
One of the best books I have ever read. Just ordered one as a gift for a lady who is 97 years old and I know she will love it also.
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