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The Enlightenment of Esther
October 3, 1989.
Seventy-nine-year-old wealthy Jewish widow Esther Kellerman lives in a small suburb outside of Columbus, Ohio. Esther thinks she has a pretty good life. She plays bridge, reads for her book club, and routinely drives her Cadillac DeVille into the mailboxes of her neighbors. Her latest mailbox mishap leads her to the doorstep of some mysterious new residents of her neighborhood. As she introduces herself to Sarah, the elderly woman who answers the door, Esther soon realizes that there’s something wrong with her.
Eighty-nine-year-old Muriel Schwartz has also met the new neighbor Sarah, along with Sarah’s son David and daughter-in-law Dianne. David and Dianne ask Muriel to look in on Sarah for a couple of hours each day while they’re at work, and because Muriel is having financial troubles and needs the money, she agrees to help out. When Esther hears of this plan, she offers to lend a hand.
Eighty-five-year-old Rosalie Sherman, Esther’s widowed sister-in-law, thinks that both Esther and Muriel have lost their minds and wants no part in what she sees as a ridiculous care-giving arrangement doomed to fail. Rosalie never shies away from saying what she thinks, but Esther is taken aback at Rosalie’s emphatic refusal to help out with Sarah.
With a touch of humor and a lot of heartfelt warmth, The Enlightenment of Esther paints a vivid portrait of the lives of Esther and her contemporaries, all in their seventies and eighties, and how their relationships intersect and intertwine in ways even Esther couldn’t have predicted. But if anyone can solve this mystery of just exactly who Sarah, David, and Dianne are, Esther Kellerman can!
Seventy-nine-year-old wealthy Jewish widow Esther Kellerman lives in a small suburb outside of Columbus, Ohio. Esther thinks she has a pretty good life. She plays bridge, reads for her book club, and routinely drives her Cadillac DeVille into the mailboxes of her neighbors. Her latest mailbox mishap leads her to the doorstep of some mysterious new residents of her neighborhood. As she introduces herself to Sarah, the elderly woman who answers the door, Esther soon realizes that there’s something wrong with her.
Eighty-nine-year-old Muriel Schwartz has also met the new neighbor Sarah, along with Sarah’s son David and daughter-in-law Dianne. David and Dianne ask Muriel to look in on Sarah for a couple of hours each day while they’re at work, and because Muriel is having financial troubles and needs the money, she agrees to help out. When Esther hears of this plan, she offers to lend a hand.
Eighty-five-year-old Rosalie Sherman, Esther’s widowed sister-in-law, thinks that both Esther and Muriel have lost their minds and wants no part in what she sees as a ridiculous care-giving arrangement doomed to fail. Rosalie never shies away from saying what she thinks, but Esther is taken aback at Rosalie’s emphatic refusal to help out with Sarah.
With a touch of humor and a lot of heartfelt warmth, The Enlightenment of Esther paints a vivid portrait of the lives of Esther and her contemporaries, all in their seventies and eighties, and how their relationships intersect and intertwine in ways even Esther couldn’t have predicted. But if anyone can solve this mystery of just exactly who Sarah, David, and Dianne are, Esther Kellerman can!
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Published January 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 21, 2025
I had this relatively unknown title on my long list for a while. I thought it would be fun and it was. It's a quickie.
80 year old Esther Kellerman means business. Family Business. She gets to the bottom of things. She doesn't necessarily mean to meddle. But she has a knack for uncovering family dynamics (and secrets) and trying to make things right. But she seems to know what's right and how to set things forward on the right path. God Bless Esther.
I don't know why every book I seem to pick up these days has Dementia/Alzheimers as a major or minor theme. It feels like there is no escape for that anywhere. But there are also our elders by contrast who are sharp and spicy. Esther is all that and more.
I must say I started this one in Audio, but did not end up connecting with it. I had a feeling the shift to print would work better and and it did the trick.
80 year old Esther Kellerman means business. Family Business. She gets to the bottom of things. She doesn't necessarily mean to meddle. But she has a knack for uncovering family dynamics (and secrets) and trying to make things right. But she seems to know what's right and how to set things forward on the right path. God Bless Esther.
I don't know why every book I seem to pick up these days has Dementia/Alzheimers as a major or minor theme. It feels like there is no escape for that anywhere. But there are also our elders by contrast who are sharp and spicy. Esther is all that and more.
I must say I started this one in Audio, but did not end up connecting with it. I had a feeling the shift to print would work better and and it did the trick.
February 2, 2021
A good read
Loved this book. Reminded me of my Grammy and her friends! This book will give you memories of your family and secrets that are in families. Five stars to the author for another great read!
Loved this book. Reminded me of my Grammy and her friends! This book will give you memories of your family and secrets that are in families. Five stars to the author for another great read!
January 24, 2021
I loved this story. It brought to mind the amount of family secrets we keep from one another whether it be from love or fear. In the end it usually works out to make us better.
Esther is an opinionated old lady but she is able to keep herself in line. She is a good friend and is very generous to those in her life. The end of the story is quite explosive with revelations.
This author makes me feel like I could be friends with the characters he presents.
Esther is an opinionated old lady but she is able to keep herself in line. She is a good friend and is very generous to those in her life. The end of the story is quite explosive with revelations.
This author makes me feel like I could be friends with the characters he presents.
January 30, 2021
I loved this book! I was thoroughly entertained by Esther’s quirkiness, wit, and great sense of humor. She made me wish I could be like her: strongly opinionated with little regard to what other people thought of me. A hard-to-put-down book which will stay with you long after it’s finished. Joshua Berkov has a way of bringing his storytelling to life, along with his other excellent book, The Enlightenment of Angeline. I’m looking forward to future books by him!
February 17, 2021
Loved this book
As with the first book I loved this one. Joshua Berkov is a really talented author and I look forward to his next book. His books are so easy to read and fun. I loved the ending.
As with the first book I loved this one. Joshua Berkov is a really talented author and I look forward to his next book. His books are so easy to read and fun. I loved the ending.
July 3, 2021
Book review
The book was fast paced with a lot of unexpected twists. It was quick paved and did not leave you hanging. Esther was quite a character, and someone I would love to meet. The only down side were unnecessary curse words.
The book was fast paced with a lot of unexpected twists. It was quick paved and did not leave you hanging. Esther was quite a character, and someone I would love to meet. The only down side were unnecessary curse words.
February 4, 2021
Nice read
Quick read. Enjoyed very much and look forward to more from this author. His characters seem like people you might know. Nice book.
Quick read. Enjoyed very much and look forward to more from this author. His characters seem like people you might know. Nice book.
March 17, 2021
I loved Esther! She’s a real firecracker.... she tells it like it is. This was a great read.
June 2, 2021
Loved the book.. Fun read.. Family secrets, lots of twists and turns..
August 3, 2021
A laugh out loud gem !! Everyone needs a little bit of Esther in their life.
I have a feeling I’m gonna be just like her when I turn 80.
I highly recommend this book.
I have a feeling I’m gonna be just like her when I turn 80.
I highly recommend this book.
August 9, 2021
Mixed
I enjoyed this book but there was one part of it that I thought ruined it. Had that part been presented differently by the author I would have given at least 4 if not 5 stars.
I enjoyed this book but there was one part of it that I thought ruined it. Had that part been presented differently by the author I would have given at least 4 if not 5 stars.
Read
September 6, 2021A very good read. Full of humor and spunk!
Full of spunky humor and a surprising ending. Sure hope there's another follow up. Please don't keep us in suspense😊😊
Full of spunky humor and a surprising ending. Sure hope there's another follow up. Please don't keep us in suspense😊😊
June 24, 2021
Another lighthearted look into the humor of aging women, with some messages about family secrets and friendships. An enjoyable read!
February 13, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Some very funny moments with great narration.
Some very funny moments with great narration.
March 11, 2023
This was a fun romp, with a good balance of humor and philosophical observations from the perspective of an elderly woman. The twist ending was rather thinly veiled, the true surprise was the manner of its revelation. Bring a pencil and paper, you may want it to keep track of which elderly lady is which!
(If grammar is a spoiler for you, you may find the repeated misuse of the word “whom” a bit cringeworthy 🤦♀️…find a better proofreader!!!)
(If grammar is a spoiler for you, you may find the repeated misuse of the word “whom” a bit cringeworthy 🤦♀️…find a better proofreader!!!)
November 15, 2021
Ester
I’m 76. I read and solitaire to help me in keeping my mind active. This story gave me a run for my money. It was fun. I love Easter and her vitality. Keeping up with the different names and relationships had me talking to myself in order to keep them straight. But I found the book fun, delightful, and full of surprises.
I’m 76. I read and solitaire to help me in keeping my mind active. This story gave me a run for my money. It was fun. I love Easter and her vitality. Keeping up with the different names and relationships had me talking to myself in order to keep them straight. But I found the book fun, delightful, and full of surprises.
August 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book, and the feistiness of the characters, particularly Esther. It appears this may be the second book in a series. And based on the last sentence in this book, and the loose end that reminded me of in the story, I'm wondering of there's a number 3. I'll be looking!
January 27, 2023
Loved this story
What a wonderful wild ride. Well developed characters are relatable and fun. Who doesn't love an elderly heroine? I have to say I would love to be in the room for an ending like this one!
What a wonderful wild ride. Well developed characters are relatable and fun. Who doesn't love an elderly heroine? I have to say I would love to be in the room for an ending like this one!
March 14, 2022
Fun reading!! An enjoyable story
March 30, 2022
Loved this book. Very Fun Read
August 26, 2022
A fun read. Sometimes I just need something a bit nonsense & fun. This fit the bill.
October 24, 2022
Wonderful
It was funny.from first page to end, kept me wondering , would recommend to anyone wanting to laugh out loud.
It was funny.from first page to end, kept me wondering , would recommend to anyone wanting to laugh out loud.
July 27, 2023
Good book
This is a laugh out loud, hilarious book! Esther and her lifelong friends play bridge, have a book club, go to dinner and the movies. Everything is going smoothly in their senior lives, until one of them is asked to help care for another senior citizen with Dementia. Suddenly old secrets and hurts come to the surface! Also, the car buying chapter is so funny! I highly recommend this book!
This is a laugh out loud, hilarious book! Esther and her lifelong friends play bridge, have a book club, go to dinner and the movies. Everything is going smoothly in their senior lives, until one of them is asked to help care for another senior citizen with Dementia. Suddenly old secrets and hurts come to the surface! Also, the car buying chapter is so funny! I highly recommend this book!
October 12, 2021
A sweet, funny story about a quirky older woman and her friends and family. As people say, “Esther is a real hoot”. She or her friends will remind you of your grandmother or maybe a great aunt. It’s a refreshing take on seniors’ lives.
October 25, 2022
Meddling old woman bets more than she bargained for.
Totally different mystery. Will the fami!y tree unravel because truth all ways comes out. Writing pulls you in, so you just keep reading.
Totally different mystery. Will the fami!y tree unravel because truth all ways comes out. Writing pulls you in, so you just keep reading.
April 9, 2023
I loved this book! I was such an easy entertaining read! From the first page I could not wait to see what happened next! Was totally surprised at the ending but, glad to see how it all turned out. Esther is a spunky woman! I read this in good sitting, 241 pages.
February 29, 2024
Cute story but a bit exaggerated. Lots of older women getting all up in everyone’s business only to find out they are all related through a bunch of misguided secrets. My biggest issue was them calling everyone “dear”. Stop already, it’s a cliche.
June 7, 2024
A Very Humorous Book
I loved the characters in this book. The were fun and very interesting. There was many twists and turns and lots of suspense. I think this is a good book for anyone. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
I loved the characters in this book. The were fun and very interesting. There was many twists and turns and lots of suspense. I think this is a good book for anyone. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
June 19, 2024
This was a quick, fun read. It's not the first book I've read that portrays an older woman as a busybody and a menace on the road, which I don't care for. However, I enjoyed the story's mystery - that proves once again, a mystery does not have to involve a murder to be intriguing.
July 21, 2024
I thought the beginning of the book was slow as it was focused on Esther and her activities. The conversations she had did not seem realistic to how women talk. Also the author did not seem to have researched some things as he said a Jewish character (Muriel) was a good Sunday School Teacher.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews