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A review by coneja_divina
Exodus: A Memoir by Deborah Feldman
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Exodus is a story about the ways we discover and craft our identity when we realize that our old life doesn’t serve us anymore. Unlike Unorthodox, this book focuses less on stories about Feldman’s time in the Satmar Jewish Community and more on her journey to understanding who she is without the framework of religion to define every aspect of her life. I enjoyed her stories about visiting a shaman, speaking with artists, and talking to Jews and non-Jews alike. So much of the story was about the negotiation between having an identity that is wholly defined by your religion and culture vs. the discovery and subsequent work of trying to figure out who you want to be outside of the influence of religion and culture. Her journey through deconstruction is something I found relatable.
I know some people didn’t enjoy this book, and I think that might stem from how jarring the non-linear narrative can feel at times. I found myself unsure of what events preceded others, whereas this was much easier to track in Unorthodox. The nuances of deconstruction don’t have the same immediate appeal as gawking at someone living such a rigid and unique life, but I think there is just as much to be gained from this part of the story. The true issue is that this book doesn’t feel as tidy as Unorthodox. This may be because part of that book was written while Feldman was studying at university, so she was able to get feedback and work on it. Another possibility, which I find more likely, is that Unorthodox was written with no expectation for a sister sequel. It was only after the first book exploded that the second book deal was offered, and a new path needed to be forged.
I enjoyed this book, but it was different than I expected. I think readers going in with an expectation of what they’ll see and hear based on the first book are setting themselves up for disappointment, but if they go in with an open mind, it’s enjoyable!
Exodus is a story about the ways we discover and craft our identity when we realize that our old life doesn’t serve us anymore. Unlike Unorthodox, this book focuses less on stories about Feldman’s time in the Satmar Jewish Community and more on her journey to understanding who she is without the framework of religion to define every aspect of her life. I enjoyed her stories about visiting a shaman, speaking with artists, and talking to Jews and non-Jews alike. So much of the story was about the negotiation between having an identity that is wholly defined by your religion and culture vs. the discovery and subsequent work of trying to figure out who you want to be outside of the influence of religion and culture. Her journey through deconstruction is something I found relatable.
I know some people didn’t enjoy this book, and I think that might stem from how jarring the non-linear narrative can feel at times. I found myself unsure of what events preceded others, whereas this was much easier to track in Unorthodox. The nuances of deconstruction don’t have the same immediate appeal as gawking at someone living such a rigid and unique life, but I think there is just as much to be gained from this part of the story. The true issue is that this book doesn’t feel as tidy as Unorthodox. This may be because part of that book was written while Feldman was studying at university, so she was able to get feedback and work on it. Another possibility, which I find more likely, is that Unorthodox was written with no expectation for a sister sequel. It was only after the first book exploded that the second book deal was offered, and a new path needed to be forged.
I enjoyed this book, but it was different than I expected. I think readers going in with an expectation of what they’ll see and hear based on the first book are setting themselves up for disappointment, but if they go in with an open mind, it’s enjoyable!