Pearl Abraham

In Giving Up America Pearl Abraham has produced a novel about a Jewish American couple living in New York. While re-modeling their new house, the tedious work is tiring and their individual styles clash. Daniel, a perfectionist, is often generally critical of Deena as well as her work as copy editor.

After 7 years, their marriage is flagging. While Daniel has been financially prudent, he now seems to need and want more fun in his life. He buys bikes for them, pays for dance and ski lessons. And befriends Jill a young, single co-worker and her married friend Ann.

Deena wants to continue working on their home but Daniel spends more and more time phoning and hanging out with Jill. Deena's reaction is odd... until it is too late.

I like Abraham's characterization of Deena and other female characters as mostly strong, moral and active. Daniel comes across as churlish, weak and hypocritical.

The idea of dating couples taking dance lessons as a test of compatibility is smart.

On page 114, Abraham is spot on describing a dance session between Daniel and an angry Deena attend, with the words: "They stood facing each other, waiting for the music to start, and Daniel smiled. Deena swallowed and forced something down. This is what its like for women who stay. They don't say anything. They absorb and swallow and soon there is nothing left to say. But they hate, how they hate.And still they stay."

Very good read.… (mais)

This novel tells of Rachel, a teenager and the oldest child of a Chasidic family in upstate New York. Thwarted by the restrictive culture of ultra-Orthodox Judaism, she pines for more freedom in her life.

Light and easy to read, The Romance Reader peeps into the fascinating culture of Chasidic Judaism. I especially loved reading about how Rachel handled the situation in which she was forced to meet the young man selected by the matchmaker to be her future husband. Though very well written, I felt it ended too abruptly. I wanted to read much more about Rachel's life. I do hope that Ms. Abraham continues to write stories which share this very special culture with the world.… (mais)