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My Before and After Life
by
Risa Miller
A story of the sometimes prickly relationship between adult children and their parents
In Risa Miller’s new novel, the first since the highly–acclaimed Welcome to Heavenly Heights—one family member tries on a faith that seems like a bad fit for the rest. Honey and Susan, two sisters in Boston, are shocked to learn that their elderly father has embraced Orthodox Judaism wh...more
In Risa Miller’s new novel, the first since the highly–acclaimed Welcome to Heavenly Heights—one family member tries on a faith that seems like a bad fit for the rest. Honey and Susan, two sisters in Boston, are shocked to learn that their elderly father has embraced Orthodox Judaism wh...more
ebook, 256 pages
Published
February 8th 2010
by St. Martin's Press
(first published 2010)
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I REALLY wanted to like "Before and After Life." I wasn't raised in a "frum" family, and had my own experience with teshuva. I certainly have relatives who don't seem to get it (but none who are quite as obstinent about it as Susan and Honey). I've also read many lauditory articles about Risa Miller.
I simply couldn't get into it, but kept reading. As I read further, it became more and more unreadable. I think what I couldn't handle was the way that it felt so scripted and all of the characters...more
I simply couldn't get into it, but kept reading. As I read further, it became more and more unreadable. I think what I couldn't handle was the way that it felt so scripted and all of the characters...more
Risa Miller is everything I dream of being. She's the author of two books, a professor of creative writing at a respectable secular college, and was the first woman to receive the PEN Award while wearing a sheitel. So I read this, her second book, not just for enjoyment, but for instruction.
I liked this book even more than her previous one, probably because of the familiar American setting. As the title suggests, it's a teshuva story, ie the story of someone who makes the transition from secular...more
I liked this book even more than her previous one, probably because of the familiar American setting. As the title suggests, it's a teshuva story, ie the story of someone who makes the transition from secular...more
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This book was very hard to get through. The author seems to be building to a big confrontation between religious Jews and a neighborhood group, with the actual resolution a total let down. (It basically boiled down to, "If the ghost of your mother could see you now, what do you think she'd say?")
On a personal level, the protagonist seems to be struggling with her own religious views after her father becomes a "born again" Jew. Her ending seems just as disappointing as the above.
I've read much be...more
On a personal level, the protagonist seems to be struggling with her own religious views after her father becomes a "born again" Jew. Her ending seems just as disappointing as the above.
I've read much be...more
In the first part of the book, the author writes as though she is leading up to a big life-changing event. And in the second part, the author writes like there WAS a big life-changing event. But the event itself is really downplayed, and could easily be missed. Additionally, the secondary storyline of the day school was handled horribly and didn't have as much relevance as the author clearly wanted it to have.
In short, this book started out okay, but quickly became a big mess.
In short, this book started out okay, but quickly became a big mess.
Having read Risa Miller's first book, I was eager to pick this one up when it came out. I tried so hard to get through it, but got bored of it halfway through. There just wasn't anything particularly gripping or interesting about it, I didn't like the characters. I wish I had liked it, but I just didn't.
This would have probably been a lot more meaningful read if the main characters had ever managed to actually finish a conversation instead of changing the subject, dropping the subject or swallowing what they were going to say next.
Good writing, but the ending was abrupt and felt very flat. A good read if you have any family that has turned to orthodoxy or fundamentalism, but otherwise probably not worth it.
This led to some good discussion in book group. But it was poorly written. Could have used a better editor.
Well written. This book was I
An interesting take on family dynamics. Not dysfunctional but real and thought provoking. In the end it leaves you thinking.
An interesting take on family dynamics. Not dysfunctional but real and thought provoking. In the end it leaves you thinking.
This was okay, but a bit depressing for my taste.
Stunning exploration of what's spiritual, and how that impulse can threaten or not threaten close relationships.
Aug 19, 2010
Erica
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
checked-out-from-the-library
I got through it, which I don't if I don't relate to the characters, but the story just didn't sparkle for me.
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