Fiction is too often written off as escapism, but it can illuminate ways of life and beliefs that help readers like me understand the world. Pearl Abraham’s The Romance Reader is a striking example of a novel which offered me a window into a culture very different from my own.
As the eldest daughter of a rabbi struggling to establish his first synagogue, Rachel is expected to observe the exacting standards of her Hasidic community. She loves to swim but is forbidden to wear a bathing suit in public, she wants to dress attractively but must conform to a strict dress code designed to hide her body and, most of all, she loves the trashy romantic novels which give her a fascinating, if misleading, glimpse of a world which is forbidden to her. As Rachel nears adulthood, she faces the prospect of an arranged marriage which although it could increase the frustration of the restrictions surrounding her might offer a chance of the freedom she craves.
Sadly, this one’s no longer in print in the UK but if I’ve piqued your interest second hand copies are available via internet booksellers.
What about you, any blasts from the past you’d like to share?
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I rarely reread books as I’ve always got a pile of new ones waiting for a first read! But it’s always interesting to take away a little bit more from a reread. I agree that fiction is so often misunderstood and you can learn so much about life, history and all kinds of things from a good writer.
I know what you mean about rereading and those piles which only seem to get taller! I’ve learnt so much about places and cultures I’m unlikely to experience through fiction. It’s one of the reasons why I’d like to see translators’ names more prominently displayed on book covers.
A new name for me!
It’s the only one of hers I’ve read. I might try and track down another.
This has completely passed me by! Thank you for alerting me to it.
You’re welcome! It was a long time ago now.
Like other commenters, this is an author who has passed me by. Like other commenters, I don’t re-read as often as I should. It can be rewarding – or actually, sometimes definitely not – but I should make time for it. After all, however hard I try, I’ll never bottom-out the TBR!
I think you have to pick and choose, and prepare for disappointment.
Hey, Susan. This is a great post. I think it would be appropriate for adding to my link party for Throwback Thursday, since I accept all nostalgic posts, any day of the week, all month long. I’ll add it for you now. But if you want to add future ones as well, this month’s link is here https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/cbe695cfc3ba44da9f5b872853f0680e
Thanks, Davida. Good to know!