All Who Go Do Not Return

A Memoir

By: Shulem Deen

Narrated by: Shulem Deen

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A moving and revealing exploration of Hasidic life and one man's struggles with faith, family, and community.

Shulem Deen was raised to believe that questions are dangerous. As a member of the Skverers, one of the most insular Hasidic sects in the US, he knows little about the outside world - only that it is to be shunned. His marriage at 18 is arranged, and several children soon follow.

Deen's first transgression - turning on the radio - is small, but his curiosity leads him to the library and, later, the Internet. Soon he begins a feverish inquiry into the tenets of his religious beliefs until, several years later, his faith unravels entirely. Now a heretic, he fears being discovered and ostracized from the only world he knows. His relationship with his family at stake, he is forced into a life of deception and begins a long struggle to hold on to those he loves most: his five children.

In All Who Go Do Not Return, Deen bravely traces his harrowing loss of faith while offering an illuminating look at a highly secretive world.

©2015 Shulem Deen (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Not perfect but worth a listen

Okay, so another memoir narrated by the author ... a mistake, but does not detract much from the text, which is not polished. The author’s account, however, is honest and compelling, and well worth a listen.

Totally enthralled

Where does All Who Go Do Not Return rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I was captivated from the start. Loved the narration, the poetry of the writing stayed with me. I listened to passages over and over. Beautiful

lyrical, heartbreaking, understated

Really lovely memoir about leaving the faith of his birth. Not only a story of leaving one's faith, but also a story of becoming a full time aware adult.

Fascinating and heartbreaking.

This memoir is well written. It is a glimpse behind the curtain into an insular world.

Well-written and thoughtful

The book was riveting. The author speaks poignantly and honestly. He never overdramatizes. His recollections of earlier times add to the story and don't distract from it. He takes responsibility for his actions and shows how one decision can have drastic effects. I would love to get to know him better and look forward to, reading more of his writing

5 stars plus

One of the best books I've read in years. Recommended to everyone. Very well written and read. (Found through unorthodox podcasts).

Just great.

One of the best books I read in the past 10 years. Sorry for the author's hardship. Hope for the best.

I savored every word!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd highly recommend this book! It was very well written and written. It was so interesting. I didn't want it to end.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The writer was my favorite character. No one can compete with this central character.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was Shulem's wedding night.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved and disturbed when Shulem was ignored by his children when they came to visit him.

Any additional comments?

I hope Shulem will publish another memoire from where he left off to today.

A Revealing Book

My heart goes out to the author. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be seemingly shunned by your children. However, those children were in an impossible situation. They had no choice, as children almost never have. Children are always at the mercy and subject to the whims of whichever custodial adult they are in the care of. The custodial adult wields all the power and can manipulate, influence, sway and prejudice the child in any way they choose. The child will never know they've been duped, especially in this case because it has been done under the pretext of religious purposes. The author eludes to this several times towards the end of the book, by which time, alas, it is too late. In my humble opinion, this is a very convoluted case of a woman scorned!!!

Gorgeously written, fascinating

Bravo! I couldn't (in the audio sense) put it down, and hope for a sequel. I recommend this eye-opening, poignant, heartfelt, honest memoir wholeheartedly.