An Unorthodox Match

A Novel

De: Naomi Ragen

Narrado por: Gabra Zackman

An Unorthodox Match is a powerful and moving novel of faith, love, and acceptance, from author Naomi Ragen, the international best-selling author of The Devil in Jerusalem.

California girl Lola has her life all set up: business degree, handsome fiancé, fast track career, when suddenly, without warning, everything tragically implodes. After years fruitlessly searching for love, marriage, and children, she decides to take the radical step of seeking spirituality and meaning far outside the parameters of modern life in the insular, ultraorthodox enclave of Boro Park, Brooklyn. There, fate brings her to the dysfunctional home of newly-widowed Jacob, a devout Torah scholar, whose life is also in turmoil, and whose small children are aching for the kindness of a womanly touch.

While her mother direly predicts she is ruining her life, enslaving herself to a community that is a misogynistic religious cult, Lola’s heart tells her something far more complicated. But it is the shocking and unexpected messages of her new community itself which will finally force her into a deeper understanding of the real choices she now faces and which will ultimately decide her fate.

©2019 Naomi Ragen (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

loved it...wanted more

I thoroughly enjoyed this audible book, but I wanted more, it ended too early for me!!!!

Wonderful Book!

I can't say enough about this book. Wonderful, very human characters, and I cared about them all so much. It was a look into a culture I know very little of, and I appreciated that as well. The story, performance, and everything about it was superb. I want to read more by this author.

Amazing book

First review I ever write. This book was Powerful, honest, inspiring, truthful yet respectful. Teaching that the most important thing in the end is honesty and love.

Predictable outcome but clever getting there

Well written story with intriguing fragments that are not resolved until the end. Extremely well read. Characters are somewhat stereotyped but the plot is so clever that it prevents the reader from being able to figure out how the story will be resolved. Worth listening to.

It tell to remember One must always think.

Well taking action one must think of the consequences of the action she take it This book is about how people feel and not what of the people that think I

Thoroughly enjoyed this book

It's funny, I recall thinking the same thing that Leah did in my early 20's. Why not just move toward the observant life and become a wife and mother and live in the traditional way? I also remember wrestling with the things I would have to give up. I really like the way that the author notes the reasons to live an observant life but that once BT's are in the community, they sorta aren't "in". It is something well known in the Jewish community. I do agree that the narrator did an excellent job with the exception of making even the 40 year olds have Yishdisha accents which really didn't make sense in visualizing the story. Beyond that, excellent job.

so good

Although I don't speak a word of Yiddish & I'm a Christian, I loved this book. The story is timeless but the look into the orthodox community made this love story so much better.

Fascinating — learned so much!

Everything you always wondered about but were afraid to ask. Afraid because you know that you’d fall profoundly short and that you’re basically; halfhearted, uncommitted and lazy.

Puts you through a wild range of emotions. I went from I only wish I could’ve; to, ‘oh jeez, I could NEVER, I’m very contented with my own personal form of Judaism.’ However, a chapter or two later, I was right back to deep wistfulness and questioning everything about this beautiful faith I thought I’d finally had all figured out.

I’m a convert who came to the party late. I believe I did everything right or that I could, in the scope of my “reality.” Where it’s led me — and I still do. Nevertheless, I have many, many questions about my own journey that will most likely go unanswered.

A beautiful, insightful story. Don’t miss it . . .

well, well, well

edited: After I finished this book I was so happy to find out that there is a sequel !
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This book had to be written, so B"H it was. I hope it makes it into film so people around the world learn some of the most positive aspects of observant Jewish life, and not just the horror stories that are so easy to sell on stream services.
I wish the cover was different so I could gift it to some friends, I guess I'll have to put a cover on it, a Mechitza:)

Excellent Book!

I enjoyed the character development and the way the author masterfully took us on a journey of depth and meaning. I enjoyed the author’s keen awareness of the unique aspects of certain Jewish communities and those who may be on the periphery of these communities within communities. I love how the story seamlessly moved forward through various layers in the past in the present.