Title: Unchosen: The Hidden Lives of Hasidic Rebels
Author: Hella Winston
Genre: Non-Fiction
Born out of author Winston's sociology dissertation work this book deals with a handful of "rebels" who for one reason or another aren't totally comfortable living as adults in the Hasidic communities they grew up in. Some have chosen to leave Hasidism while others are trying to live sort of dual lives. All the stories were fascinating. The reasons people had for "rebelling"* were so individual and the results of their choices so individual that no real conclusions could be drawn about either Hasidism or about leaving religious communities in general. This is not to say the book isn't interesting or worth reading, in fact just the contrary. The book was full or real people, real pain and real joy and real questioning and reflection. I find all of those things incredible interesting and definitely worth paying attention and time to. That being said if you don't have an interest in Hasidism or tightly structured closed religious communities I'm not sure there is much for you in this book.
*Though I can't think of a better alternative rebel doesn't seem to be the right word for what the people in this book are doing. They're doing something deeper and more personal than rebelling against their larger society though rebelling is part of it.
Author: Hella Winston
Genre: Non-Fiction
Born out of author Winston's sociology dissertation work this book deals with a handful of "rebels" who for one reason or another aren't totally comfortable living as adults in the Hasidic communities they grew up in. Some have chosen to leave Hasidism while others are trying to live sort of dual lives. All the stories were fascinating. The reasons people had for "rebelling"* were so individual and the results of their choices so individual that no real conclusions could be drawn about either Hasidism or about leaving religious communities in general. This is not to say the book isn't interesting or worth reading, in fact just the contrary. The book was full or real people, real pain and real joy and real questioning and reflection. I find all of those things incredible interesting and definitely worth paying attention and time to. That being said if you don't have an interest in Hasidism or tightly structured closed religious communities I'm not sure there is much for you in this book.
*Though I can't think of a better alternative rebel doesn't seem to be the right word for what the people in this book are doing. They're doing something deeper and more personal than rebelling against their larger society though rebelling is part of it.
; "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay")
; "The Year of Magical Thinking")
; "American Nerd")
Leave a comment