review 1: I'm surprised this was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize. It was an easy, enjoyable read but many of the characters were rather two-dimensional. I Am Forbidden by Anouk Markovits and Hush by Eishes Chayil (also about the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community) were more enlightening, inspiring, and thought-provoking. And, I think The Innocents by Francesca Segal (also about the London Jewish community) was more clever and creative. review 2: When I started reading this book, I could not help but to compare it to "I Am Forbidden" and "Unorthodox" - all books about young frum women and I felt that this book was much better written than the other two books. Reading this book was like being a voyeur - peeking a look into this religious society. I gave this book 4 star... mores because I definitely liked it better than the first two (that I gave three stars to) - but was disappointed in the ending. Without giving the plot away - I felt that the Rabbi's wife's actions were unrealistic and found the wedding night scene also quite unrealistic. However, all in all - did find this to be a fast and easy read and quite enjoyable. less
