Jephte's Daughter: A Novel

This is a book of expectations of conformance to societies norms of struggles of failure of finding what is true for you of going deep within yourself to find out who you are of fighting to live as you wish to live and of redemption and forgiveness, its a story of the dreams of youth and dealing with reality. I enjoyed this book because it gave me a lot to think about re choices I made and why did I make them.

This was a fascinating look at modern day Jewish Orthodoxy. I really enjoyed it… but Christian readers be aware: near the end of the book, a man entering the Catholic priesthood decides to become Jewish, saying that Christ wasn’t necessary. While I appreciated the book as a whole, that could be a deal breaker for some.

Well written. Able to understand the emotions, hopes, and doubts of all the characters. And yes, it did have a satisfactory ending.

I wish I could give this book even more stars. No book has captured my heart so thoroughly in a long time. It is A beautiful and moving story of redemption, faith, patience and the nature of God’s love. The glimpses into the lives of ultra-orthodox Jewish society is also fascinating. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author

Interesting story but a little melodramatic. But definitely a good love story. The overview of the Hasidic community ultimately favors its adherence to Talmudic law. It also shows how that can be distorted and abused.The characters are generally well developed. The power of love and friendship are emphasized. The -plot is a little predictable but none the less keeps you intrigued and rooting for a happy ending.

The book embraces Jewish law by giving us a brave, saintly heroine and proceeding to pound her into the ground. She marries a consummate jerk who pretends to be a devoted husband and a godly man. He makes her so miserable that she fakes her death and that of her young son just to get away from him. Then she meets a seminarian, a Catholic, who almost overnight conveniently discovers he is actually Jewish, thereby making their ultimate marriage possible. After a nasty divorce presided over by three rabbis and a simultaneous reunion with her estranged father, whose beliefs got her into the horrible marriage to begin with. I won't spoil the ending but I have to say I have a lot of reservations about this book and the authors reliance on twists of fate to resolve something that in reality would never have occurred. Hassidic women are treated like chattel. They are brainwashed into thinking they matter but their ability to bear children is the only thing that counts. its infuriating that the heroine does not break out of her prison of a marriage in any meaningful way. she relies on a man to get her through the ordeal.

Jephte’s Daughter is a very fine novel, indeed. The story of a wealthy American Orthodox Jewish girl entering into an arranged marriage is fascinating. One learns early on that the girl’s husband is an egregious beast, so how will she save herself while keeping her faith intact? Strong characters, excellent plot, and exacting, detailed descriptions of Jerusalem make this a tale worth reading. I finished it in two sittings. MOST highly recommended.

A great storyline. There was some redundant info and overexplaining which I just skipped. Sometimes it got a little preachy and again I just skipped it. I enjoyed the story.

This arrived in practically pristine condition and cost very little. A bargain. I have only read one book by this author before but I loved it(the Sacrifice of Tamar) so my interest in her books was aroused. What I have read so far is good and I am certain I will enjoy it to the end. I was very impressed that it didn't arrive battered and well read.The spine of the book looked as though the book hadn't been opened! I will order more by this author.

It was quite messy to read. I liked her other books far more.

Good read and may read it again.

Ich habe dieses Buch kurz nachdem wir aus Israel zurück waren gelesen, da uns der Jerusalemer Stadteil "Mea Shearim" doch sehr beeindruckt hatte. Man fühlt sich in eine andere Welt versetzt, Jahrhunderte zurück!!!Zur gleichen Zeit gab es auch eine Ausstellung mit vielen Animationen im Museum in Jerusalem, welche einen sehr guten Einblick in das Leben der ultra-orthodoxen Juden gewährte.Die Geschichte ist so wohl nicht passiert, doch sie gibt einen sehr guten Einblick in das Leben dieser Juden.

This book had a lot of information about the orthodox Jewish faith. It also delvedinto people's feelings and motives for doing things. It was well researched and readers will find it engaging and enlightening.