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did anybody read this novel by shoshana mael? I wanna hear what u think abt it.
I thought it was amazing. I cried most of the way through. I think it is important to write about these topics. Did you read it?
What is it about?
Two teenage girls dealing with a mother who is bi-polar. I don’t want to say much more because I don’t want to ruin it for others.
I think Springsteen did it better. He really knows how to rock.
That book was traumatizing! I was shaking for hours after I’d finished it! It made me cry tonz. Are there really people going through this pain?! I mean, I always knew that some parents are abusive, but having it all down on paper… Wow. One thing it accomplished was that I now appreciate my family. Kudos to Shoshana Mael!
Did the book stay true to the facts or did it dramatize them in a stereotypical way? Not trying to be cynical or c”v cause lashon hara (some people like books like that!), just to figure out if i should spend the time reading it 😀 For those who don’t know what i mean-there was a novel that came out a few years ago by an author who i really enjoyed (she tended to stay away from the stereotypical jewish novel format and her writing was a pleasure to read). The premise of the novel was that one of the main characters suffered from schizophrenia. He was diagnosed extemporaneously, and was back with his family, seemingly “cured” about 3 weeks later. The entire book was filled with cliche situations and ignorant projections of mental illness. (Sorry, i don’t think projection was the right word, but i can’t think of the correct term.) There was a similar book about a girl struggling with anorexia-the book kind of glorified the whole situation, glossed over her, and continued on without sticking to reality.
So, back to my original question-was this researched, or was this just a drama feeding into the stereotypes and images that society has?
😀
The back of the book says that the author is a social worker who deals with teenagers and knows what she is writing about. Not someone who said hey I’ll pick bi-polar that seems interesting. It even has her email address where you can contact her. I think it’s legit but that’s my opinion.
I read it and thought the time spent worthwhile. Very realistic and daring for a Jewish-type novel.
I was impressed as I was expecting it to be one of those typical jewish stories that don’t stick to reality. This one did. Not only were the girls trying to find their way through the darkness of their own emotions, but the author left out enough to keep the readers in the dark themselves, until the end. Basically it’s a good balance between real and emotional, and it’s also detailed yet still very clear. It has my approval.
@Burnt Steak – I was about to say the same thing, but was a little afraid to. 😛 If I’d read the book, I’d say “This book’s for buying, even if you’re just reading in the dark.”
But I haven’t read the book yet and now I really want to.
Wow! Just read this book, it’s probably the best Jewish novel I’ve ever read. Very accurate!!
It’s an emotional roller coaster. Seriously, I cried through the entire book.
I agree keepitcoming. That part was a bit unrealistic. But other than that I thought it was amazingly accurate. Plus these are topics that frum people rarely speak about so I think it’s really great that she wrote it!
that was the third time you submitted a deleted post. Usually that will get you blocked. Instead you are being warned
I think its a bit extreme although such cases can happen…i feel that the author, who is a social worker, took all her client’s stories and put them together and wrote a horror book on it…
…but at the same time while reading the book i became more open to the fact that such things could happen and do happen!!! It made me so thankful for everything i have and it made me appreciate my life so much more!!! Im so fortunate!!!
Lucky you that you think that. But I know lots of stories that are this bad and worse.
Obviously i know there are such storys!!!! Thats why I’m so gr8ful!
Hey-now that i finally read the book today, just thought i’d comment 🙂 It’s really well written, accurate, and doesn’t rely on melodrama to keep it going. Like others mentioned, the fact that she was so open so fast may not be the most realistic, but hey, desperate times and all that, not to mention it’s a book, not a biography. So yeah. Shkoyach!!! 😀
You mean fiction.
Actually i meant it’s a book, not a feature length documentary, meaning there’s a “time limit” of sorts, for lack of a better explanation. But thank you for pointing out that i didn’t actually say that which i meant to say 😀
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