Dropped from Heaven: Stories

by Sophie Judah

A marvelous fiction debut–a collection of richly told, deeply moving stories about everyday life within a community of Indian Jews as its ancient culture confronts the modern world.

In the mythical village of Jwalanagar, the Jewish traditions of the Bene Israel have survived for more than two thousand years, but the twentieth century brings with it modernity and cataclysmic political change. In these nineteen interconnected stories–by turns insightful, humorous, and heartbreaking; poignant, gentle, and searingly sad–we follow this community across the years as its way of life is forever altered.

In “Hannah and Benjamin,” the parents of a young woman are shocked when she defies their rejection of the man she wishes to marry–but no more shocked than the man himself. In “Nathoo,” a kindly Jewish soldier and his wife adopt a Hindu boy orphaned in the post-independence violence of 1947–with disastrous results. In “Dropped from Heaven,” a mother with three unmarried daughters at home and a copy of Pride and Prejudice in her handbag springs into action when she hears that two single brothers are coming to town looking for brides. And in “Old Man Moses,” a lonely and imperious old man is visited by his Israeli grandson and the young man’s girlfriend, and finds that there is still a place in his heart for love.

Sophie Judah tells these stories in a wonderfully fresh and original voice, and gives us a fascinating look at an ancient, vibrant community that now exists only in memory.

Genres: Jewish, Adult, Short Stories, Fiction, Historical Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 27, 2007

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

a piece of literature i did not expect to enjoy as much as i did. it follows the culture of the bene Israelies through the changes of time, documenting sorrow and grace over the span of many years. it genuinely pulled at my heart, enlightened my mind on an unfamiliar intersection of culture, and kept me engaged through all the readings. I have no criticisms, and leave with an open heart and mind. all i can feel is gratefulness.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason it isn't five stars is because of the writing. Most of the time it's very realistic, and the whole point of the stories is the moral. However, I was pulled out of my enjoyment of the book because in one story, when a girl is telling her mother someone else told her how to deal with her period, she says, "Not such a child, Mother, and you did not keep me innocent...Somebody else has done your work for you." It sounded like an old man speaking, not a little girl. A solid collection of stories anyway.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually a big fan of story collections but this one was masterful. I loved the glimpses into Bene Israel life over almost a century -- seeing tradition and change and dolefully, the last Jew in a formerly Jewish town die while all the others moved away. Sad and informative. Best Bene Israel text -- Beats Shalom India Housing Society (Esther David) hands down.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of short stories about the small but very religious Jewish population scattered around India. The stories are connected in small ways and weave a lovely story of the history of the Jewish people in subcontinent.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

These interconnected short stories read like fables. Each was a bit too short for my taste, and not closely woven together enough to make the kind of tapestry that I like. However, as a group they do give a sense of the lives of a slice of subculture that I do find quite intriguing.

[Katie M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't think this was a particularly good book but I loved that it was about the Bene Israel community (India's deep-rooted traditional Jewish community), which you pretty much never come across in fiction. Go Sophie Judah.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging collection of short stories, each with their own moral. I particularly like the one about the children who find their grandmother's diary.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting material not fully developed, either as characters or the life of the Bene Israel community in India.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of stories really takes you to a different time and place.
Judah is an incredible storyteller, and she has a way with words and themes.

[Yaeer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories are spellbounding but some are not. SOme I totally loved but some were ok. But the writing is clear and if even sometimes the voice falters a bit, I like the author's voice.

[Tsipi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! This collection of short stories about Bene Israel Jews in India is fiction yet captures the flavor of the time and place.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining stories about the community of Jews in India over time, to contemporary Indian-born Jews who live in Israel.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but workmanlike.