The Saturday Wife by Naomi Ragen Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Saturday Wife
Book Review: This book was hilarious!
Summary: 4 Stars
I don't know why some folks wrote less than complimentary reviews on this hilarious novel. I found it so entertaining I could hardly put it down. The subtle humour had me in stitches and I enjoyed the insight into Orthodox Judaism. Not being of that culture or religion I had no idea about the legalism involved to be considered 'righteous'. I found this novel satisfying, funny, sad, interesting, entertaining and witty. The author has a way with words and an understanding of human nature. Good job! Book Review: Ragen is no Flaubert!
Summary: 2 Stars
I've read Gustave Flaubert; I've taught "Madame Bovary; Ms. Ragen, you are no Flaubert, and Delilah is no Madame Bovary!
Book Review: Ragan's best yet
Summary: 5 Stars
The Saturday Wife is a superb satire involving Modern Orthodox Jewry living in Long Island and Connecticut, as it happens. Very very funny. Yet gives plenty of food for thought about Modern Orthodoxy and religion in general. If you like Jewish themes this book is for you. It took me out of a long depression and I have been feeling just fine ever since I read it. Laughter is indeed the medicine. Read it. Book Review: Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
I have enjoyed some of Naomi Ragen's novels in the past, particularly Jephte's Daughter, but Saturday Wife was a big disappointment. It lacked substance throughout, had needless detail, was very shallow, was filled with Jewish self-hatred, and had a very weak, disappointing ending. Many times she interrupted her narrative using straight proseto insult traditional Judaism; I had the strong impression that bashing religious Jewish life was the author's real purpose in writing this book. Had this book been written by a gentile, it would have definitely been labeled antisemitic.Book Review: Too simple a read...
Summary: 3 Stars
Although the character descriptions were vivid, and the story entertaining - Saturday Wife was a disappointment to someone who has read and savored each of Naomi Ragen's books. One of the tag suggestions for Saturday Wife is "chic lit," and I'm afraid that this book meets that shallow category. Naomi Ragen is a fine writer, a great storyteller. Her characters and plots generally evoke great passion from readers, and have the depth of mind and spirit that are the hallmark of true literary fiction.
"Jephte's Daughter," "The Sacrifice of Tamar," "Chains Around the Grass." These are books that will remain always and proudly on my bookshelf - next to books like Jerry Marcus' "Abraham, Isaac, Jacob & Zev" and Chaim Potok's "My Name is Asher Lev" and "Davita's Harp." Please, Ms. Ragen. You are a gifted writer who has far more to offer than shallow characters like Delilah and Chaim.