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Unorthodox cover art

Unorthodox

By: Deborah Feldman
Narrated by: Rachel Botchan, Cassandra Campbell
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Summary

Called “brave and riveting” by Jeannette Walls, Deborah Feldman’s New York Times best-selling memoir of escaping from a strict Hasidic community includes a new afterword by the author as well as the epilogues from the original 2012 editions detailing the circumstances of her life after leaving her husband and forging new beginnings for herself and her young son.

As a member of the strictly religious Satmar sect of Hasidic Judaism, Deborah Feldman grew up under a code of relentlessly enforced customs governing everything from what she could wear and to whom she could speak to what she was allowed to read. Yet in spite of her repressive upbringing, Deborah grew into an independent-minded young woman whose stolen moments reading about the empowered literary characters of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott helped her to imagine an alternative way of life among the skyscrapers of Manhattan. Trapped as a teenager in a sexually and emotionally dysfunctional marriage to a man she barely knew, the tension between Deborah’s desires and her responsibilities as a good Satmar girl grew more explosive until she gave birth at 19 and realized that, regardless of the obstacles, she would have to forge a path - for herself and her son - to happiness and freedom.

Remarkable and fascinating, this “sensitive and memorable coming-of-age story” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) is one you won’t be able to put down.

©2012 Deborah Feldman (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

What listeners say about Unorthodox

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Exceptional

Loved this amazing story. I watched the series on Netflix first which was really helpful in getting some background on the community. The story is different enough for the book to be a whole new experience. Both were fantastic. Highly recommend.

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7 people found this helpful

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Gripping and enlightening

Worrying insight into the Hasidic community, highlighting the failings of many fundamentalist religions. I am a secular Jew so found the story particularly interesting. Well read.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

A relatable story to all woman

I feel all the woman in the world have something in common, regardless of religion, and that is that all of us have experienced abuse one way or the other, from the cousin in the basement to the stranger in a bus, we all can relate to the feeling of being powerless when facing abuse. This book have moved me to the core. I can easily count it as one of the best books I've ever read.

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3 people found this helpful

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Harrowing, somewhat familiar but above all comforting.

From having ‘escaped’ a strict religious organisation myself this book spoke to me on so many levels. I found it hard to read at times, panged by feelings of anger and then guilt of the secret of my own experiences. It’s encouraged me to perhaps tell my own story.
The book itself is raw, honest and eye opening. I hadn’t known anything about the Hasidic organisation. It gives hope and leaves you with a sense of power over your own life and a burning desire to appreciate being able to make your own decisions on a daily basis .
I recommend it to anyone looking to enlighten themselves about a lifestyle that is both harrowing and comforting.
Jo

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essential book to read

I loved comparing this book to the series and seeing how it has brought out different creativity. I love the series more but as I find it to be more evocative but this is a great memoir and no doubt a must read.

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Really interesting

The subject was very interesting. Great insight to the ways of the Hasidic religion. very thought provoking.

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1 person found this helpful

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Evocative and inspiring

Absolutely gripping and well told. A story I needed to hear this year. I came to the book after watching the 4 part series and they work brilliantly together. I feel moved by this and sad it is over. Thats always a sign that a book will stay with me for a long time. I thoroughly recommend.

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Amazing

What an incredibly brave and honest woman. To of gone through such an awful regime that seems alien to a westernised woman. Such courage and strength. I highly recommend this Audible book. An insight to a darker and strict regime

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Inspiring & Empowering Honesty

Extraordinary book! I searched it out after watching and loving the adaptation of this on Netflix and being totally in awe of it. I am grateful for Deborahs brutally brave and empowering honesty! Her story raised issues in myself that had been unacknowledged or dismissed and I am deeply grateful for her writing and for it to be available on audible.

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Insight in another world

Very interesting story, many heart-wrenching and sometimes shocking details, very well read. I will read Deborah's second book to find out what happened next!

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1 person found this helpful