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Unorthodox
- The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots
- Narrated by: Rachel Botchan, Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
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Unorthodox
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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.
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What listeners say about Unorthodox
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Loo loo
- 07-05-20
Window to another world
I saw the mini series & really enjoyed it so wanted to read the book. I loved it - full of detail & insight into a previously unknown religious sect for me. I really empathised with the author & could hardly stop listening. Definitely recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs G
- 16-07-20
Religion of many rules
I was always interested in the rules by which Hasidic community live. This book gives wonderful insight into what is like to be a part of it. The book is full of details and well written and read. This is one of audio books that can be listened to many times and I will listen to it again. I liked the use of Yiddish words and would have liked a dictionary of those words at the end. After listening to this one I am now really interested to find what is behind such a complicated way of life. There must be some ancient wisdom behind or at least explanations for various superstitions. The rules are probably followed in order to save lives thousands of years ago. The fact that Hasidic community still follows their old religion is on one hand admirable, but on the other ... well better to finish this review with unfinished sentence.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- EmmabBooks
- 29-06-20
Insight into the lives and customs of Hasidic Jews
A wonderful memoir about being part of the New York Hasidic Jewish community, and how the author struggled against many of the strict rules and the lifestyle.
Having watched Unorthodox on Netflix, I was drawn to this memoir to discover how much of the film version was true. I was glad I’d seen the film version first as it helped me visualise many of the events described, but the audio book went into so much more depth. Deborah Feldman describes her childhood and takes the listener right through to the current day (with the help of an Afterword). It is a fascinating look at the beliefs, customs and everyday life of this community, told from the point of view of someone who begins to question her beliefs and lifestyle, and eventually leaves the community.
It took me about 30 minutes to get into the Audiobook, and having seen the film first definitely helped. Chapters are very long – about an hour listening time. However it is a fascinating listen.
5*s from me as it was so interesting to learn of a way of life, that I knew little about. Deborah Feldman’s story flowed well, and left me wondering, and surprised, at some of the strict rules in place, for example the prohibitions around book reading. Recommended listening for anyone interested in the lives and customs of those from different communities.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kwow
- 28-04-20
Enjoyable listen
I listened to book after watching the tv show and it was nice to compare the two.
I actually prefer the book to the series much more detail.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ania
- 15-06-20
very good
Very good book, involving and informative. Good writting. Very brave woman wrriting a story of bravery and non-conformism.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jude Uk
- 14-05-20
What an amazing story
Such a brave intelligent lady. There is hope in this tale for escape from all religions who brainwash from birth.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Hotfooter
- 12-05-20
An extraordinary story
What a courageous woman . What an extraordinary narrative of human rights abuse . Everyone should read this to understand how religious practice is used as an excuse for so much appalling behaviour
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 07-05-20
enjoyable and thoughtful
i am glad i chose to read the book after watchinhg the Netflix series.
This was a deeper more insightful story which i empathize with more even as i loved the series.
the description and story telling was imaginative
The narrator however lost me a few times.
i could not tell when one thought, sentence ended and the other began.
It didn't distract from the story but it wasn't the best performance
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amy
- 15-02-21
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stella N
- 25-04-20
fantastic book
A captivating listen from beginning to end. I see it as the road to freedom of a 21st century American woman,born and raised in NY. It shows we all live in parallel worlds that coexist, mind opening, will strongly recommend.
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