Buddy Read for Either the Matzah Ball or The Plot

[Amy]

This is the Buddy Read for the Matzah Ball. I think there are like 5-6 people reading it for fall flurries this month. But while it was a fun read, there really isn't anything much to talk about. Maybe I am wrong and there could be an aspect worthy of discussion, so I thought to throw out the Buddy Read nonetheless. Alternately, if people want to talk about the Plot this month, the thread can double.

I guess if I had a guiding question it would be this. Do you also see Chanukah as boring and flat and un-magical, and lacking something as compared to Christmas? Did you find spirituality in Chanukah? Do you have any of your own memories about this holiday? Was there Christmas envy? Did you agree it was somehow "hard" to make Chanukah a classy event? Or did that idea feel more natural to you than to the characters?

Here's my review - curious if you enjoyed it too. I'm also halfway through the Plot.

In case the title didn't give it away, this is a Chanukah themed holiday romance. And its written in that style. It reads like any Christmas Romance, (or what I imagine Christmas Romances to look like.) It's an easy prototype for a Hallmark movie, and I could totally see it turning into one.

So you can't rate and review this book the way you would high brow literature. In fact, there are tons of things you can tear apart and nitpick, but you are just supposed to enjoy the ride, which I did. In a few places I had to work very hard to remind myself to suspend disbelief. Take it for what it was. And what it was, was a very fun Chanukah Romance.

Most people know I don't describe synopses, and I never ever spoil a book. But aside from the jacket cover, this book is exactly what you would expect. It's impossible to spoil. But I will indulge a little of the synopsis. Rachel is the daughter of a prominent Orthodox Rabbi, who secretly writes as a world best selling Christmas Romance novelist. Believe it or not, this isn't even where my suspension of disbelief had to be tested. I can completely understand a love of Christmas. Its hard not to be drawn to. There are aspects of it I love myself, including Carols, and Egg Nog. But what I love most, is how much attention is paid to miracles, and how loving and kind and giving people are to one another. It is indeed a magical time. But thinking of Chanukah as boring and flat and unmagical? Now that just made zero sense to me, that she couldn't see or relate to any aspect of the holiday was bewilidering - but hey, I promised I wouldn't nitpick.

So the basic plot is that Rachel and Jacob (true loves in the Bible/Torah) were arch enemies at summer camp, and also first and never forgotten loves. Years later, Rachel's publisher forces her to write a Chanukah Romance, and to research this she falls smack into the Orbit of Jacob, who is organizing a high level classy Motzah Ball, and her parents. She must spend 8 days volunteering to get a coveted ticket, and the quarreling lovers are back again, with misunderstandings, and snafu's, and hijinks. Rachel is hiding secrets from Jacob, her parents, and the world. Jacob has more of a haunted past than we knew, that unfolds as well. Of course the Motzah Ball is at the center of it all, where everything comes develops and comes into its inexorable finish.

One of the aspects of some depth that does enter, is that Rachel suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and the author does a very nice job of showing us what this condition looks like and how it manifests. Rachel's spirit and vitality is indomitable, and vivacious, with an attitude that doesn't quit, while her body quits before it gets started. She is afraid she can never be loved and will miss her whole life. This aspect was the part that didn't fit so easily into the Hallmark model, it was treated with some respect and depth. But it, and Jacob's haunted trauma's, did have some sensitive treatment, despite the formula and model. There is also some depth in the Judaism and related concepts that are well described within.

I want to add that this story is a book about books. The central character is a writer, writing a book that we read some of during the story, and trying to both write and live the Chanukah Romance was the central vehicle of the book.

I just want to say something about the Motzah Ball Concept. This is a real Christmas Eve concept that many of us remember. Jewish Singles would gather all over the world at locations for an elegant "Motzah Ball" on Christmas Eve. I went to more than a few in my day, and our best friends met at a Motzah Ball. I don't think they even have them anymore. The local organization that threw it was called SYJP, Single Young Jewish Professionals. But did I meet my husband there? I did not. I met him at the Queen Esther's Ball, the one elegant dance ever sponsored by BBYO. But this was a real setting for couples to meet, and perfect timing during Christmas Eve, when we had no other plans. In fact, we looked forward to it. It was a fun and beautiful night, where anything could happen. And did. So I agreed this was the perfect setting for this romance. It had it all, and Rachel and Jacob do discover the magic of Chanukah, as well as love.

Again, it wasn't high brow, but it wasn't supposed to be. I read it in an entire sitting, and right along with the beginning of Chanukah. It was a great start to the holiday. Fun book, nice to have a Chanukah option, and sweet ride. Nothing more, nothing less. Perfect for the holiday season.

[Jen K]

I've got The Matzah Ball borrowed from the library and hope to read next week. I'm not going to read your review until then but looking forward to the book!

[Shelly]

I just finished and now I am thinking about some of the questions you posed, Amy. Growing up I always loved celebrating Hanukah. I did not grow up in a religious home, but we did celebrate the holidays with family and food! And who doesnt love latkes and jelly donuts. We also received gifts, but not on the scale of my friends who celebrated Xmas. It was never about making Hanukah into a classy event, it was more about sharing the light and the love with family and friends. While I appreciated the Matzah Ball for bringing more appreciation of Jewish traditions, trying to elevate it to Hanukahpaloozah felt contrary to the spirit of the holiday.

[Sallys]

Is there a Buddy read for The Plot?

[Amy]

Shelly, that is such an interesting and wonderful take. Kind of like why should we class it up when it is such a beautiful thing on its own... Like Shabbat is simply what it is, whether you have fine china, or wear ball gowns. The essence of the spirituality, the love, is the same. Maybe that's why, I spoke to this idea, or maybe I didn't, that there is a little bit of Jewish envy out there.

Recently, a house cleaner we had over a decade ago, called me up for a therapy referral. My husband barely remembers her, but I do. She was lovely and dynamic and full of warmth and love. But when she called me, she said over and over again about how much she remembered how our house was full of love - and kept equating it to Jewish Families. Over and over again, she kept saying, I wish I were Jewish, I want to be Jewish, there is so much love and family there. When I called her on the phone a week later to offer referrals, the same tropes came out, over and over again. My husband and I laughed about it some. Like, she thinks were a happy family and a loving one? Has she been here recently? Heard all the screaming? The fighting? At each other's throats? Is she remembering the right house? It was such an odd reflection to us, because often times we do worry that this house is out control. So maybe the fact that we laughed so easily about it, is actually a good thing. Maybe she was onto something. I think we were both really touched by that reflection. Whether or not that is a "Jewish" thing, who knows. But she was absolutely sure. I have another friend who used to comment on it. The easy love that happens between parents and kids and couples, and families. On the inside of it, its hard for me to know whether its any different anywhere else. But she felt it was. She was devoted to, and loved her kids, but she felt the Jewish energy was different than the Waspy energy. (Her words, not mine). Anyway, maybe they were onto something both - maybe not. But..... If you do have that, and lets hope we do, why on earth would you need to class it up with a huge Hannukahpallooza? Not that were not welcome to, or it wouldn't be fun. Just maybe that it isn't necessary. That's what I think I was trying to get to that was hard to believe. I can understand Rachel's love of Christmas. But not to see the simple beauty or powerful message of Chanukah? To be almost embarassed by it, or worse, indifferent.... That felt unrealisic to me and hard to swallow. How can you not feel it, in its simple beauty? Shelly has felt it, so have I. I suspect we all have.

[Amy]

Sally - I kind of didn't know what would happen around the Plot. It felt like Motzah Ball wasn't going to have much, although turns out I was wrong. We are talking about it. But it felt like people were reading the Plot. I felt like we started a really incredible discussion about it off my review. Have you read it?

[Sallys]

The Plot? No but I'd like to.

[Amy]

I should have mailed it to you. I just dropped it off in my neighbors little free library. I would retrieve it, but I actually texted them a couple of days later to tell them that it was in there. So no subterfuge now. I look forward to reading some books with you together in 2022. It will be fun to see your trim list if you put one together.

[Olivermagnus]

I just finished The Matzah Ball and have to say I really enjoyed it. I don't know anything about Jewish traditions or Hanukkah so can't comment on the representation being too comedic. I laughed a lot, which is what I usually look for in a holiday romance this time of the year. I haven't written my review yet but it definitely gets 4 Stars for enjoyment from me.

[Amy]

That’s so great, Lynda!!!