Comments (28)

Unorthodox

the Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots
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Dec 11, 2021
I don't think most commenters understand that because of the insurality of the Satmar community, there was no way for Feldman to provide the reactions of her ex-husband and others. They simply do not communicate with the outside world,…
orangelibrarycard
May 08, 2021orangelibrarycard rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A good memoir. The title is misleading, because you don't learn at all how much scandal is caused. You learn that she leaves the community. If you know nothing about Hasidic Judaism, you will learn it here, albeit from one person's…
Nov 20, 2020lilypad_1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I wanted to yell "Eureka" at the end. These fundamentalist religions, Judaism, Muslim, Catholic, whatever, keep women powerless. These people though keep everyone trying to prove who is most pious, who can sacrifice the most, who can be…
Nov 09, 2020NANCY ELIZABETH WHITLATCH rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is such a poignant story Feldman tells of her upbringing in the Satmar Hasidic community in Williamsburg, NY. The customs are stifling to me, for the women especially, but also the men. I think she would have made a wonderful wife for…
Oct 13, 2020pateljh rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
All major religions of the world were created by men for power over women (misogyny) - Christianity, Islam or Judaism in any forms. There are extremes like the Orthodox Judaism and some Islamic sects. So while jarring to read the details,…
Aug 24, 2020
As a gentile I was totally fascinated by this book.....it was well written and honest....no frills. For you who wonder about her life now I believe there is another book about it. What strength it took leaving behind her beloved Zaidy and…
Aug 16, 2020pozrob rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An excellent book that chronicles the self liberation of a young woman from the repressive religious community she grew up in. An intimate behind the scenes look into the Satmar Hasidic dynasty in Brooklyn. An ultra orthodox Jewish sect…
Jul 21, 2020NMostacada rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. This is nothing like the show, so if you’ve seen the show you won’t have any idea how the book ends up so nothing is spoiled for you. This starts with Deborah’s family history with…
Jun 25, 2020
I had placed a hold back in April. Unless I erased the hold by mistake could you reinstate the original hold made in April? Thank you
Jul 27, 2018jackhwolf rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The book is fascinating and has a lot of heart. She has both love for her community as well as a boundless spirit of wanting to be free. The book moves quickly and I couldn't put it down. It has a lot of heart without being sentimental.…
Feb 06, 2017uncommonreader rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
This book paints the picture of an extremely patriarchal and conservative Hasidic community in Brooklyn which Feldman leaves in order to participate in Western culture. I disliked the book for the same reason I disliked Ali's "Infidels",…
Sep 19, 2015djaf rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I really like her writing style: I also appreciate the detailing of her thoughts and feelings as well as the look she provides into the Hasidic community.
meganmartinphoto
Apr 07, 2014meganmartinphoto rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A fascinating insiders view of this mysterious community. I couldn't put it down. I live within blocks of where most of this takes place and for years I've been endlessly curious about what life is like behind closed doors. I especially…
Mar 18, 2014runfastread rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Definitely an eye-opener! This sect of Hasidic Judaism is as mysterious as it is terrifying... and in this memoir, Deborah Feldman tells us exactly what it's like to be trapped in an uber-fundamentalist religion, trapped by family and…
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…
Sep 03, 2013VRMurphy rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Above average in terms of a slice of an unusual (to the mainstream) life. The writing is at an acceptable level for a memoir, but the book would have benefited from tighter editing, to remove some repetitious segments. It would be…
Jane60201
Apr 18, 2013Jane60201 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A really interesting book about a religious community with extreme ideas, especially about the role of women. If you think the Muslims are strict, just get a look at these folks, who are right here in the U.S.
elvisgirl
Jan 08, 2013
The book was very interesting as I never knew anything about the Hasidic community. it was a good read.
Jan 01, 2013Ubalstecha rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The Hasidic community of New York is, by now, fairly commonplace. We see them as background characters in movies, sitcoms, even rock videos, but how much do we really know about this closed community. Enter Deborah Feldman, who grew up…
Neptune1020
Aug 01, 2012Neptune1020 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I could not put this book down. A very interesting look at the world which Deborah Feldman left and the world that she now lives in. I agree though that I would have liked to find out how her ex-husband reacted and whether he still sees…
Jul 12, 2012LISA ANN FITCH rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Loved this book. I have always been somewhat fascinated by extreme religious cultures (including polygamy!). I find it so amazing that this goes on in our country in this day and age. This is the story of a young girl growing up in a…
Aggie3
Jun 27, 2012Aggie3 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I found this memoir very interesting. I felt I got a glimpse into a community I have not really thought about before. It is well written and lets a reader enter into the Hasidic home and customs. I also would have liked to find out more at…
helenbreban
Jun 11, 2012
Why do we care about these Urban Amish?
indigo_lion_24
Jun 11, 2012
Moves slowly at first, then towards the middle really grips you with its heavy emotional content. Well-written and insightful but like the others, i wanted more at the end.
ksoles
Jun 10, 2012ksoles rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
"Unorthodox" chronicles Deborah Feldman's childhood and adolescence. Raised by her grandparents, members of the most insular Hasidic sect, the Satmars, Feldman becomes a bride at 17, a mother at 19 and a divorcee at 22, at which point she…