Review #26: Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

After watching the Netflix series, I decided I needed to read the story to see how closely it follows the real story. The answer is loosely, but you'll read more about the Hasidic Jews and I was in awe of how much strength this lady (and all others who decide to leave this community) possesses. 

Writing Style: 8/10
Storyline: 8/10
Ease of Reading: 8/10

There's times in this story that you forget this was real life for the author. Other times, you're reminded with a bump that it was. This raw story of a different life will be a book you don't want to put down. It does have major differences to the Netflix series, but to be honest it works, because the author wants you to remember that there is not just her that felt different and out of place in that specific community, but she was the one to speak out. 

I've always been interested in other people's religion. Because I believe in faith and religion, but don't have a specific one, I really find it fascinating on the different variations that makes the world go round. I hope that many share my view that you respect whatever faith anyone may have. This book really gave me a respect and an appreciation of the freedom that I own. That I can say what I like, do what I like for a job, and most importantly decide what happens to my own body, and whether I have children or not, are all decisions that people in modern worlds (me included) can really take for granted. 

I can't really explain much about the content in the book, because I really hope that whether or not you've seen the TV series, you will read this memoir of what bravery really looks like, and any "spoilers" would dull all of the emotions you may feel throughout. 

This afternoon, I re-watched Unorthodox on Netflix and all of the emotion from the book is translated into pictures through a fictional character named Esty. I cried. I seem to be getting good at crying. I really recommend you watch the series too, mostly to learn more about this community that lives somewhat separate from the rest of the world.

Please don't get me (or the author) wrong. This book is, and the series, not sympathy inducing and it's not about hating the community that this lady left. Throughout the book and series I found myself sympathetic to every single character at some point or another. 

Anyway, I shall end my ramblings and recommend the book, and also, in a blog first, the film. 

I'll end this post by saying that there is a lot going on in the world at the moment, and I always try to stay as balanced as possible when deciding how I feel. Therefore, please take care and please get in touch if you need anything, even just an ear.

Stay safe, 

Steph 💚