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A Departure from the Script
Sheila Katz, the irrepressible main character of A Departure from the Script, is a Jewish mother who helps her lesbian daughter plan a traditional Jewish lesbian wedding. What's more, she's doing it behind her husband's back! And if that isn't enough tsuris -- Yiddish for aggravation -- for one person, then what is she to make of her own new infatuation with a striking lesbian artist? Read the book and find out!
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2006
3 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Rochelle Hollander Schwab
8 books2 followersRochelle Hollander Schwab grew up in the Bronx, but traveled to Ohio to attend Antioch College. One evening at a Friday night folk dance she said hello to a couple she knew who lived in town. "Hi," they replied, "Do you know Dick Schwab?" Another dance began, and they danced away. Dick didn't dance, so he and Rochelle stood and talked, then went out for pizza. A few months later they stood together again -- under a canopy at their traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.
The latest of Rochelle's four novels also features a wedding -- a traditional Jewish lesbian wedding! In A Departure from the Script, the protagonist is a Jewish mother who helps her lesbian daughter plan her wedding to her partner -- behind her husband's back. If this isn't enough tsuris (Yiddish for aggravation) for one person, mom finds herself falling for another woman. It's a comic novel, but with something serious to say about love, marriage and family, and even includes discussion questions for reading groups.
Her earlier novels are: In a Family Way, which focuses on a custody fight over the child of a lesbian couple after the birth mother is killed; A Different Sin, a gay romance set against the background of the Civil War; and As Far as Blood Goes, the story of a fugitive slave who becomes a doctor. As might be guessed, Rochelle is a strong supporter of LGBT equal rights, and recently has written a few op-eds supporting marriage equality -- one of which was included in a college textbook on writing.
She's active in the Washington DC chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and enjoys biking, walking and visiting grandchildren. No children or pets left at home (unless a retired husband counts.)
She's the same person as Rochelle H. Schwab, by the way. Her first book was published as a mass market paperback, and her publisher thought her name was too long to fit on the cover!
And she's finally replaced her author photo from the last millennium. This one was taken with a cellphone camera at the Alexandria Democrats dinner dance celebrating President Obama's inauguration.
The latest of Rochelle's four novels also features a wedding -- a traditional Jewish lesbian wedding! In A Departure from the Script, the protagonist is a Jewish mother who helps her lesbian daughter plan her wedding to her partner -- behind her husband's back. If this isn't enough tsuris (Yiddish for aggravation) for one person, mom finds herself falling for another woman. It's a comic novel, but with something serious to say about love, marriage and family, and even includes discussion questions for reading groups.
Her earlier novels are: In a Family Way, which focuses on a custody fight over the child of a lesbian couple after the birth mother is killed; A Different Sin, a gay romance set against the background of the Civil War; and As Far as Blood Goes, the story of a fugitive slave who becomes a doctor. As might be guessed, Rochelle is a strong supporter of LGBT equal rights, and recently has written a few op-eds supporting marriage equality -- one of which was included in a college textbook on writing.
She's active in the Washington DC chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and enjoys biking, walking and visiting grandchildren. No children or pets left at home (unless a retired husband counts.)
She's the same person as Rochelle H. Schwab, by the way. Her first book was published as a mass market paperback, and her publisher thought her name was too long to fit on the cover!
And she's finally replaced her author photo from the last millennium. This one was taken with a cellphone camera at the Alexandria Democrats dinner dance celebrating President Obama's inauguration.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 1, 2009
When I first picked up this book, I tried to come in with a blank slate, to let my imagination go where it may go. I'm glad I did, because The book contains a riveting story. Now, the details of a homosexual relationship may be difficult to get through (it was for me because it's out of my element), but I'm personally glad I stuck with it. What an interesting read it's been! The basic story involves an "average" Jewish family with two kids. Mom and dad want what most parents want: to have their kids grow up and find a lovely partner, have a good career, etc. But, much like the play scripts mom Shiela does in the play, things happen and one has to adjust accordingly. First, her son has a child out of wedlock and marries a Catholic girl, then her daughter finally finds love...to a Jewish girl!
It's all about dealing with the consequences of these actions from here, and learning that just because the script changes, it doesn't have to be a bad thing.
(arrgh, a horrible review for this book I realize this is, but it really is a good book...read it for yourself and see. My only advice is to keep an open mind to get the most out of it.)
It's all about dealing with the consequences of these actions from here, and learning that just because the script changes, it doesn't have to be a bad thing.
(arrgh, a horrible review for this book I realize this is, but it really is a good book...read it for yourself and see. My only advice is to keep an open mind to get the most out of it.)
May 5, 2015
I loved this book for various reasons. Mainly it's that I could relate on so many levels.
This story is told through character Sheila Katz and as a character she's just so real and honest and funny as she tries to deal with hers and her husband's feelings about her daughter coming out as a lesbian.
And frankly, narrator Sheri Pigott added so much to Sheila as a character.
I'll probably do a more in depth review on my blog because it does pose a lot of questions about how things come up in life that we constantly have to confront our feelings about. Including morally ambiguous feelings. Not talking about being gay here. Other issues.
It's definitely a good book if you're confronting, from any standpoint: your own, family, or friends'-- issues around sexuality and identification.
This story is told through character Sheila Katz and as a character she's just so real and honest and funny as she tries to deal with hers and her husband's feelings about her daughter coming out as a lesbian.
And frankly, narrator Sheri Pigott added so much to Sheila as a character.
I'll probably do a more in depth review on my blog because it does pose a lot of questions about how things come up in life that we constantly have to confront our feelings about. Including morally ambiguous feelings. Not talking about being gay here. Other issues.
It's definitely a good book if you're confronting, from any standpoint: your own, family, or friends'-- issues around sexuality and identification.
January 29, 2022
This is a truly great read and I recommend it to anyone in the LGBT+ community. The subtle way the author depicts micro aggression is just great, and I loved how complex every character and situation is. Terrific.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews