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fidoe's review against another edition
4.0
Week 37 Book 58
Bombay Brides by Esther David
Rating: 4/5
BB is a book about Bene Israeli Jews of India, based in Ahmedabad. It revolves around the Shalom India Housing Society that is inhabited by Indian Jews.
Juliet and Romiel aka Rahul leave for Israel after marriage and rent out their apartment in Shalom to a series of tenants, who have interesting adventures in the apartment, and the society. The mischievous Prophet Elijah presiding over the community, occasionally creates havoc but finally ensures peace.
I love the writing style, the characters, their back stories, the anecdotes, and most importantly, learning about the Indian Jewish community's traditions. I am glad I came across this book and would love to read more by the author. This one is a must read, especially for those interested in Bene Israeli Jews.
Bombay Brides by Esther David
Rating: 4/5
BB is a book about Bene Israeli Jews of India, based in Ahmedabad. It revolves around the Shalom India Housing Society that is inhabited by Indian Jews.
Juliet and Romiel aka Rahul leave for Israel after marriage and rent out their apartment in Shalom to a series of tenants, who have interesting adventures in the apartment, and the society. The mischievous Prophet Elijah presiding over the community, occasionally creates havoc but finally ensures peace.
I love the writing style, the characters, their back stories, the anecdotes, and most importantly, learning about the Indian Jewish community's traditions. I am glad I came across this book and would love to read more by the author. This one is a must read, especially for those interested in Bene Israeli Jews.
fatpanda's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.5
chrysalis11's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful selection of stories about the Bene Israel Jewish community in Ahmedabad. I felt like I was allowed to watch from these windows as the lives of the residents of the Shalom India Housing Society---a fictional apartment complex primarily inhabited by members of the community---went by. The illustrations by the author that begin each story add a lovely touch, along with those wonderful moments where the many narratives in the book interconnect. The only story that did not work for me was "Sangita" where I felt the Hindi insertions seemed too forced and disrupted the flow of the narrative, especially given that it was one of the last few stories. I felt those bits could have been in English and nothing much would have changed about the narrative (but that's just my personal opinion of course). But that doesn't take anything away from the remarkable piece of storytelling that this book undoubtedly is.
aacritic's review against another edition
4.0
I was instantly intrigued with this book when I saw it.
It's an anthology on the Bene Israeli Jews in India written by an author of the same origin. I didn't even know Jews existed in India and it was so fascinating to read about their lives and cuisine and customs. They essentially exist along the Konkan belt near Bombay in Alibaug, Panvel, and in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The stories range across regular domestic affairs, Jewish culture, and peculiar (often recurring) characters living in and around a Jewish Housing Society in Ahmedabad.
This book made me ponder upon how culture constitutes two elements - Religion and geography, and is so integral to preserving one's identity. While I know very little about the Jewish culture in general, I couldn't help but notice how particularly Indian it was. I understood the need to belong, the need to stick close to the culture, the people who are a part of it, and the need to keep it alive.
To me it was more of a brisk and refreshing educational read. Don't read the book expecting exceptionally nuanced writing. It's simple, it's easy. Just like our routine lives.
Not to forget that the author - Esther David has won several accolades for her representation of this diminishing community.
It's an anthology on the Bene Israeli Jews in India written by an author of the same origin. I didn't even know Jews existed in India and it was so fascinating to read about their lives and cuisine and customs. They essentially exist along the Konkan belt near Bombay in Alibaug, Panvel, and in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The stories range across regular domestic affairs, Jewish culture, and peculiar (often recurring) characters living in and around a Jewish Housing Society in Ahmedabad.
This book made me ponder upon how culture constitutes two elements - Religion and geography, and is so integral to preserving one's identity. While I know very little about the Jewish culture in general, I couldn't help but notice how particularly Indian it was. I understood the need to belong, the need to stick close to the culture, the people who are a part of it, and the need to keep it alive.
To me it was more of a brisk and refreshing educational read. Don't read the book expecting exceptionally nuanced writing. It's simple, it's easy. Just like our routine lives.
Not to forget that the author - Esther David has won several accolades for her representation of this diminishing community.
paprisoren's review against another edition
4.0
Bombay Brides by Esther David is a sneak peek into the life of Bene Israel jews community of India. This my first read of this author. So I don't know what to expect from this book.
thebookishtales's review against another edition
4.0
Bombay Brides was a breeze 😍
This was my first book about the Bene Israel Jewish community of India and I absolutely loved it.
~
Juliet and Romiel (Rahul) fall in love, get married and shift to Israel. Their parents had bought them a flat in the fictitious Shalom India housing society in Ahmedabad and they rent the flat on one condition, to only keep Jews as tenants. The stories mostly revolve in and around the A107 flat and the quirky residents of the soceity. It offered a nice insight into the culture of the community and their traditions. Prophet Elijah is the glue that holds the book.
Indian Jews remain largely unknown in literature and I am glad this book came along. I am glad David wrote this book and highlighted the lives of the quirky residents and the eccentric Bombay Brides.
~
Each character is flawed and unusual. They'll certainly make you laugh and tickle your funny bone. David's writing shines throughout. A very interesting read about the trails and tribulations they face as a minority. There are lots of food mentions too which is a win-win for me 😁😁
4.5⭐
Pick this up if you're looking for a light and peppy read. Can be read in one sitting 😁
#thebookishtalesreviews #femmemarch #femmemarchfest #bookstagramindia #estherdavid
This was my first book about the Bene Israel Jewish community of India and I absolutely loved it.
~
Juliet and Romiel (Rahul) fall in love, get married and shift to Israel. Their parents had bought them a flat in the fictitious Shalom India housing society in Ahmedabad and they rent the flat on one condition, to only keep Jews as tenants. The stories mostly revolve in and around the A107 flat and the quirky residents of the soceity. It offered a nice insight into the culture of the community and their traditions. Prophet Elijah is the glue that holds the book.
Indian Jews remain largely unknown in literature and I am glad this book came along. I am glad David wrote this book and highlighted the lives of the quirky residents and the eccentric Bombay Brides.
~
Each character is flawed and unusual. They'll certainly make you laugh and tickle your funny bone. David's writing shines throughout. A very interesting read about the trails and tribulations they face as a minority. There are lots of food mentions too which is a win-win for me 😁😁
4.5⭐
Pick this up if you're looking for a light and peppy read. Can be read in one sitting 😁
#thebookishtalesreviews #femmemarch #femmemarchfest #bookstagramindia #estherdavid
pickupbooks's review against another edition
3.0
It is a collection of short stories of the Bene Israeli Jewish community living in the fictional world of Shalom housing society Ahmedabad. When Juliet Abraham, a Jewish, has a runaway marriage with Rahul Abhiram, a Hindu, their families are initially furious but soon relent. They buy the couple an apartment in Shalom Housing society. However, once the couple leaves for Israel, they rent out the apartment to a series of tenants from the Bene Israel community, for each of whom it becomes the venue of an unfolding love story. The tenant's bride is usually from Bombay and hence "Bombay brides".
This gives a one-dimensional picture of what the Jewish community looks like. There are mysterious and miraculous ways in which Prophet Elijah plays an important role in marriage and matchmaking. The Jews take their cuisine very seriously. The rituals, faith, beliefs of Jews makes you want to know more about them. There are a variety of quirky characters which make you laugh, and also love them. Every story has an illustration of what the character looks like. It is a breezy read and can be completed in one sitting.
This gives a one-dimensional picture of what the Jewish community looks like. There are mysterious and miraculous ways in which Prophet Elijah plays an important role in marriage and matchmaking. The Jews take their cuisine very seriously. The rituals, faith, beliefs of Jews makes you want to know more about them. There are a variety of quirky characters which make you laugh, and also love them. Every story has an illustration of what the character looks like. It is a breezy read and can be completed in one sitting.
fathima_ashab's review against another edition
4.0
Each story was unique and different but also they were connected beautifully and that's what made it cool to read. I really enjoyed reading it right from the beginning till the end. This was my first time getting to know about Bene Israel Jews of India and they were fascinating to read about. The writing style and everything was perfect. I would definitely recommend it.
4.5 🌟
4.5 🌟
thebooksatchel's review
4.0
Edit: 4.5
I want to give it a 4 but I really enjoyed the experience of reading it so it definitely deserves a 0.5 more
--
I am torn whether this would be a 4 star or 4.5. I've got to mull over it. Meanwhile great read! Interconnected stories with vivid characters. The tradition and rituals of the Indo Jewish community of Ahmedabad is laid out in a subtle, not overwhelming manner. The Prophet Elijah who is a major face in their relief threads the narratives together. Plus there is food and lots of interconnected stories with flawed characters. Loved it
Much thanks to HC for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
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I want to give it a 4 but I really enjoyed the experience of reading it so it definitely deserves a 0.5 more
--
I am torn whether this would be a 4 star or 4.5. I've got to mull over it. Meanwhile great read! Interconnected stories with vivid characters. The tradition and rituals of the Indo Jewish community of Ahmedabad is laid out in a subtle, not overwhelming manner. The Prophet Elijah who is a major face in their relief threads the narratives together. Plus there is food and lots of interconnected stories with flawed characters. Loved it
Much thanks to HC for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
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