If you enjoy reading about different cultures, religious believers and the choices that people make in the name of their religion, this book is for you. The book opens in World War 2 era Transylvania and focuses on the Jewish community. The writer has an easy enjoyable style of writing that carries the reader quickly into the lives of the main characters. As one reads what is occurring you might find yourself asking, what would I do in this situation? I have no doubt that many will be taken back by some of the very restrictive practices that the characters had to deal with in their everyday activities to uphold their standing in the Jewish society.
Ms. Markovits gives the reader an intimate look into the family structure of the Jewish family. You learn what the expectations are for all the members of the family and just how vastly different the expectations are for the different ages and sexes. A society, where young women, were taught to help rear children and at age 17 are glad to have an arranged marriage. Once married their role was to financially support their husband while he studied the Jewish religion, until children were produced.
The young boys were schooled at an early age on studying the Jewish religion. They were required to spend the majority of their time inside studying. The goal was to become a Rabbe.
This above is a small part of what you are about to experience. You will get to see humanity at both its best of times and worst of times. The desperate choices that people make when it appears that all they hold dear is about to crumble.