Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

SPOILERS FOR BOOK AND NETFLIX SERIES

I knew I'd probably like this book but I didn't know how much I'd end up enjoying it. What a compelling story. I was riveted. I think that's mostly because I kept waiting for her to run away to Germany as in the Netflix series, but that never happened; honestly, I prefer the book. The series was spectacular but after reading the book, I came to the realization that it was a quite over dramatized.

My favorite parts were reading about her childhood. Her school, sneaking out to secular libraries, listening to illicit music—it seemed so other worldly, but then there would be a bit about her running to the cornerstore for some ice cream that made me realize, "Oh, she's a relatively normal girl living in modern times." I said those were my favorite parts but I don't really think I had a least favorite part. Maybe the ending? Her going to college was a little boring, but overall I was captivated but her tale.

Like I said earlier, I kept waiting for her to run away, but the book was so much better. Her having her child and raising him, and convincing her husband they should get a divorce, was so much more poignant. She lived the Hasidic life, realized it's not for her, and broke ties pretty amicably. Before all that happened, it was nice to see her move out of Williamsburg to an area where she could take back control of her life, and could rebel by not going to the baths, wearing jeans, taking birth control.

All in all, very good book. It was such an interesting slice of life story that taught me a lot and made me a little more grateful for my freedoms.

Completed: 2 February 2021

Rating: 4/5

Recommend: Yes

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