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The Tenth Song
by
Naomi Ragen
When life is at its best, the unimaginable can shatter everything you think you know… Abigail Samuels has no reason to feel anything but joy on the morning her life falls apart. The epitome of the successful Jewish American woman, she is married to a well-known and respected accountant and is in the middle of planning her daughter Kayla’s wedding. Kayla, too, wakes up that...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
October 12th 2010
by St. Martin's Press
(first published October 1st 2010)
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Jan 24, 2011
Vandy
marked it as to-read
You know how sometimes you pick up a book out of boredom, with no expectations, only to be swept up by what turns out to be a great story. Well The Tenth Song by Naomi Ragen is exactly that kind of novel. It’s about the dichotomy between complacency and true happiness, guilt and innocence.
One day Abigail Samuels has the world by the tail, the next, her world is shattered. Life couldn’t be any better for this rich Jewish American woman who’s married to Adam, a well respected accountant. Their you...more
One day Abigail Samuels has the world by the tail, the next, her world is shattered. Life couldn’t be any better for this rich Jewish American woman who’s married to Adam, a well respected accountant. Their you...more
The Tenth Song, by Naomi Ragen, narrated by Karen White, produced by Tantor Media, downloaded from audible.com.
Abigail Samuels, on the day her family’s life was shattered, was joyous of her life. She had a wonderful and secure life, was married to a well-loved accountant, was the center of her synagogue, had a successful daughter who was finishing Harvard Law School and was getting engaged to a boy she considered to be a Jewish mother’s dream. Then, the unthinkable happens. Money transfers that...more
Abigail Samuels, on the day her family’s life was shattered, was joyous of her life. She had a wonderful and secure life, was married to a well-loved accountant, was the center of her synagogue, had a successful daughter who was finishing Harvard Law School and was getting engaged to a boy she considered to be a Jewish mother’s dream. Then, the unthinkable happens. Money transfers that...more
What a disappointment. I've been a fan of Naomi Ragen's ever since I read The Sacrifice of Tamar years ago. It took me ages to get through her first novels, which were incredibly rich and informative. There was depth to her writing, and reading her novels felt like diving headfirst into an unfamiliar world. Unfortunately, this is not something I can say about her more recent novels, and particularly about this one, which only took me two days to finish. The plot wasn’t so great and compelling to...more
Ragen's proved to be a big disappointment as it came highly recommended. The author has written a cross between a Harlequin romance and a half-hearted mystery. Neither half of the story works to any satisfaction. The romance part is predictable. The characters emerge as thin as cardboard with little to offer in the way of discovery. The mystery part lacks suspense. You just know all will end well. None of these problems would matter as much if the writing leaped off the page, but it doesn't. The...more
An easy read, or a term I use for a book that takes little time and lacks depth, a "candy-bar book", The Tenth Song attempts to tackle a meaty, weighty topic--the indictment of a Jewish man who is a pillar of the community with contributing his clients' investments to a terrorist organization, and the way in which his family is affected--in too tidy a fashion. Much like the "use 100 words or less" instructions for an essay, Ragen may possibly view her readers as being incapable of hanging in the...more
Abigail Samuels has no reason to complain, she is married to a renowned account Adam and have an intelligent daughter Kayla. Harvey Law student and well loved by friends and family,are just one of the many incentives to Kayla`s resume. In the midst of planning a wedding for her daughter,Abigail`s life is shattered in multiple of ways: Her husband is accused of a heinous crime and if that is not enough, her beloved daughter flees to Israel, with no plans to ever return,. Abigail rushes to save he...more
Naomi Ragen’s newest novel,The Tenth Song centers around the Samuels, a respected orthodox family living in the suburbs of Boston. Adam and Abigail have it all, a beautiful home and three children. Their daughter Kayla is a Harvard Law student and is engaged to be married and Abigail is happily planning the wedding. Adam is a successful accountant. When the FBI storm into Adam’s Boston office and arrest him for transferring money to a terrorist group, their perfect life is shattered.
Somewhere al...more
Somewhere al...more
Nov 29, 2010
Linda K.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone
Recommended to Linda K. by:
No one
A fan of most Naomi Ragen books I've read, I put this one near the top of the list. Set in today's times, it's a riveting, multi-layered book. Every character has some flaws. Some characters you want to hate it at first, then at some point, Ragen makes you even like that person. When I read the phrase "desert commune" on the book jacket, I was hesitant to pick up the book. A book about a cult? Not exactly. It's the type of book that makes you laugh, cry, and simply want to keep on reading.
I love...more
I love...more
This could have been a great book on how Homeland Security has gone off the deep end and taken the rights of the innocent. The first few chapters were thought-provoking. A wealthy Jewish family becomes involved in a plot financing terrorist activity. Then the book becomes kinda trite when the youngest daughter - a law student at Harvard, of course; who is engaged to a wealthy lawyer, of course - leaves the county for Israel. She meets another young Jewish man who is running away from his life an...more
I actually rated this book at 3.5 I was drawn into this story from the beginning, and it had me thinking what would I do if this happened to me, to my family or someone I know, if one day without warning they or I were suddenly considered aiding terrorist. The story centers around Abigail and her daughter, Kayla and their reaction to the situation and how they come to learn who they are and what is happiness to each of them. The language was beautiful and the storyline was well paced. I especial...more
I have been a huge fan of this author for the last few years and was very excited to come across this book at the store one night. I went into it thinking it would be as good as all the rest of her books therefore making it a quick read. It proved to be a challenge for me. The first part of the book did not grab me at all. It took me weeks to finish. In all fairness though the last half of the book made it worth the wait. It was like the author woke up and was back to her usual self. Great story...more
Surprise ending and I won't spoil it here- though it did seem a bit rushed. There was build-up but it never actually had a satisfying crescendo. That said, or in this case written, this is the first book I have read by Ragen and I may go back for a second helping because of the simple truths that she reveals. We can surround ourselves with people we think we need approval from, but none of that really matters. Reading the passages about the relationship of Kayla to her mother Abigail reminded me...more
If you have read and liked everything that Naomi Ragen has written, then this will definitely appeal to you. I found this book on my public library's book shelf while I was browsing. I had not read a book by her in a long time and was very pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the characters in the book and their self-discovery. I found the story a bit rushed compared to her other books though. Definitely a book worth looking at.
I adored this book, despite the fact that Ragen switches POVs throughout scenes (usually something I cannot tolerate). The characters were all so multi-faceted and believable, so fleshed-out, all their actions and views understandable and sympathetic. I loved Abigail's and Kayla's introspections, the scenes in Boston and Israel, those beautiful prayers with Natan. I only hope I can find the rest of Ragen's novels I haven't read yet.
I bought this book after hearing Naomi Ragen speak about how her life changed so dramatically when false accusations were made against her. In that context, this book was very interesting, as the lives of the characters in this book were almost ruined as a consequence of accusations made against them. On its own, though, I thought the book was just ok. A good plot and quick read, but a little flat.
My dream life! Picking up and leaving to live in Jerusalem! waiting for the family to join me there and never coming back! Ahh! That sounds amazing!
But so unrealistic! I liked the characters. This is what we strive for, success...money...friends...Harvard education...big houses..big weddings..the "perfect son in law" ...grandchildren...Ahhh..it all seems so right until something goes wrong! And you make the right choices and learn to live with the consequences.
But so unrealistic! I liked the characters. This is what we strive for, success...money...friends...Harvard education...big houses..big weddings..the "perfect son in law" ...grandchildren...Ahhh..it all seems so right until something goes wrong! And you make the right choices and learn to live with the consequences.
I was really disappointed with this book - it read like a Harlequin romance. I have read many of Naomi Ragen's older books and really liked them but I didn't like this one much at all. The language was too flowery, the story not believable, the characters making life changing decisions in the blink of an eye. The Israel descriptions are very believable having been there but otherwise I think this storyline almost seemed ridiculous. I would not recommend this book - sorry Naomi....
Family is family whether the moments are good, prosperous or full of tragedies. In this book, the family learns how to handle the tragic moments as well as the joyful ones. I enjoyed Naomi's characters and seeing how they matured, working to give their best. Naomi describes Israel in a way that gives me the desire to jump on a plane right now to see the land.
Jul 25, 2012
Amblingbooks.com
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
drama
When the unimaginable happens without warning, a mother and daughter must find a new path to happiness in this poignant novel from the beloved, bestselling author of The Saturday Wife.
Listen to The Tenth Song on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to The Tenth Song on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
I would actually give this book a 3.5. I did enjoy reading the book and I liked the characters. However, the story seems to just skim the surface of both the crime Adam is accused of as well Kayla's story. There is not a lot of background provided in either case and I was left feeling unsatisfied at the end. The story was tied up into a nice little package but still did not feel complete.
I normally love books by Naomi Ragen, but this one is not one of my favorites. I found the characters to be one-dimensional, the storyline to be flimsy & very contrived & the premise to be ridiculous. I kept waiting for something big to happen, and even though the book had big moments, none of them felt big. It just wasn't one of her best works.
Maybe a 2.5.....story of a Jewish accountant accused of laundering money for terrorist groups and the havoc it wrecks on his life and the life of his family when he is arrested. Wraps up a little too neatly and quickly. Some good thoughts scattered throughout, but just didn't quite do it for me.
It started out slow but did pick up. A nice Jewish family, daughter attending Harvard Law school. Father is a CPA who has his own company. The father is picked up by the FBI for sending money to terrorist organizations. Interesting and shows how it affects the whole family.
One of my favorite books of all time was The Ghost of Hannah Mendes"- this does not compare, but Ragen takes a potentially "real life" situation and her connection with faith, God and Israel takes center stage. Worth the read, and there were some passages I actually highlighted.
A Jewish account is accused of helping launder money for a terrorist group. The story os his family--reactions and actions. People shun them as they fight to redeem their identity. Sometimes sweet, sometimes sappy, sometimes great pearls of wisdom reavealed.
Not as good as others she has written but still interesting. Seemed to want to finish the book in a hurry and wrapped it up without any real explanation. A bit too simplistic at the end. Overall, worth reading but her others are much better.
It was a bit predictable - father gets in trouble, spoiled daughter flees, then helps to prove his innocence. Love angle for daughter also predictable, but a couple of twists and some great insights in the book. Well written. Just a nice read.
I truly enjoy Naomi Ragen's writing style. From the moment you pick up one of her books, you're hooked! The Tenth Song was no different. I also like that I can relate to the places in Israel that she talks about.
Interesting at times, but hard to believe she changes so easily after listening to a guru in the mountains by the dead sea/Israel. Has some nice thoughts about lfe although, sort of makes you think about things.
I had previously read Jephte's Daughter by this author, and it was on
My list of top favorites. This, too was very good. Learn slot about The Jewish faith, while relating to the unpredictability of life.
My list of top favorites. This, too was very good. Learn slot about The Jewish faith, while relating to the unpredictability of life.
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Naomi Ragen is an American-born novelist and playwright who has lived in Jerusalem since 1971. She has published seven internationally best-selling novels, and is the author of a hit play. Naomi also publishes a regular column that deals with Jewish subjects, especially Israel.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/naomir...
More about Naomi Ragen...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/naomir...
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05. April, 05:58 Uhr