The Saturday Wife by Naomi Ragen Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Saturday Wife
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.
Book Review: Very Disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
I absolutely love Naomi Ragen and was very disappointed with this book. Delilah, her main character, was not only flawed; she had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. In Ragen's other books, she creates complex characters who have merits and flaws, so even if you don't like them, you can understand their motivations. I found Delilah to be one-dimensonally selfish and therefore not very interesting. Pass this one up; hopefully she'll do better on the next one.Book Review: When Madame Bovary marries a rabbi....
Summary: 4 Stars
Most recently, Naomi Ragen, an Orthodox Jewish woman, staged a fight against the religious establishment that literally banished women to the back of certain Jerusalem buses. Now, in a poignant work of fiction she exposes the underbelly of the religious Jewish-American society. In "The Saturday Wife," Ragen sheds light on the convoluted ways in which religious practices have morphed from well-meaning decrees that had been the bedrock of Judeo-Christian values into feeble attempts of a confused society that has become hypocritical, not the least because of the duplicity in which it still views the role of women vs. men.
The amazing way in which Regan accomplishes this feat is satire. In page after page of humoristic portrait of people, places and customs, Ragen pulls out details with the keen eye to society's nuances that is a cross between Candace Bushnell's and Tom Wolfe's. "The Saturday Wife" could have been called "A Jewish chic lit" had it not been for its other dimension--the real message--which is its sharp criticism of the Jewish religious establishment that relegates women to roles set in biblical times. Since men hold all the cards--or magic wands--for any change, modern times have not been integrated nearly enough to release Orthodox women from the mold. Do not be fooled by the light tone deliberately chosen by an accomplished writer to drive home a message. If Delilah, the unsympathetic heroine of this novel reads like a stereotype, it is because she is trapped now as women have been for generations. A 21st century Madame Bovary, Delilah, who dreams of life of comfort--but is not permitted to freely shop around for the right partner who'd share her views--is compelled to marry the only man who asks, a rabbi.
With Delilah's efforts to improve her lot, we get a view of the excesses of a rich Orthodox Jewish community that has lost its way while trying to stay the course of religious life. By hiring the benign rabbi Chaim Levi, Delilah's husband, members of the community hope to not be pushed too hard into the uncompromising path of righteous living, yet to feel good about themselves as they desert their values and grovel to the riches of a Russian oligarch who's appeared in their midst.
I cannot think of another work of fiction that so clearly describes, exposes and criticizes the Jewish religious establishment while giving the reader page after page of entertainment.
Talia Carner, author,
Puppet Child and China Doll
Book Review: derivative, disappointing, lacking in subtlety, predictable, and preachy
Summary: 1 Stars
I have always been a fan of Naomi Ragen's books, ever since my mom gave me Jephyte's Daughter to read. Since then, I have probably read all of her books. This was was not up to par--and not because she changed her style. I can see what Ragen was trying to do, and obviously the book appealed from the jacket description. It just didn't make it, in my opinion.
In the beginning of the book, Ragen "borrows" a "we" construct used very well in The Ladies Auxilliary by Tova Mirvis. (It was also used to great effect in The Virgin Suicides.) Here, Ragen seems to take a little too much from Mirvis, perhaps trying to appeal to younger readers, by having the "group" discuss the fish-out-of-water--Delilah.
And Delilah's name--how obvious? She is a caricature--and not that funny either. Having an old "friend" turn out to be a lesbian was useless as well. Ragen obviously has recently read Disobedience by Naomi Alderman.
There was nothing redeeming about Delilah (none of the resourcefulness or hidden strength of a Scarlett O'Hara). The men she was attracted to? Stupid. Her husband? Unable to stand up to her or the congregation. Almost caught in an almost-affair? The witness dies of a stroke. (Perhaps Ragen was watching the first season of Desperate Housewives, too!)
Ragen must have been reading Candace Bushnell, too. Anyone else notice that Janey Wilcox, of Trading Up, had problems in her community in NY with her "put upon" not-so-attractive husband, and ends up possibly more successful in her endeavors in Los Angeles? Or, how about Gigi Levangie Grazier and Maneater? The Maneater character, Clarissa, unlike here, is funny, endearing, and not stupid.
Don't get me started on the Russian mob character. Of course, it was a joke--how funny, he's from TURD-istan. Ha, ha, ha. Again, how subtle (and not-all-all stereotypical).
Ragen wanted to write a funny send up of the Orthodox community, which perhaps an insider might find humorous--someone who has never read these other, superior works of fiction. Ragen obviously has to maintain the tone of superiority over these flawed characters, otherwise she could be accused of suggesting that the Orthodox community is insular and judgmental. I felt that the Rivkie and Josh characters were there to remind us how Orthodox men and women should be. A not-so-subtle message with many boring lessons. Yes, perhaps they in their perfection were meant to be funny as well, but they came off as preachy, particularly the ending letter by Rivkie. Again, Ragen making sure she's not "too" insulting.
I will still try Ragen's next book--the others were very good, and I will give her another chance.
Book Review: filled with stereotypes
Summary: 1 Stars
Bleh! I feel worse for having read this book. Plot spoiler alert: if a character has blonde hair (male or female) they are BAD. If they have dark hair they are good. It's as simple as that in Ms. Ragen's book. I kept reading as bad as it was to see if there was a moment of enlightenment at the end. There is not.
I have never read a book like this where there was not one character that was likeable. Even the nice ones (Mrs. holier than thou Rivkie) were not so nice after all.
If you want dysfunction write a book about a condo association in Boca and make it funny. This was just mean spirited and sad.