An Observant Wife

A Novel

By: Naomi Ragen

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In this rich and compassionate novel, An Observant Wife, Naomi Ragen continues the love story between newly observant California-girl Leah and ultra-Orthodox widower Yaakov from An Unorthodox Match.

From the joy of their wedding day surrounded by supportive friends and family, Yaakov and Leah are soon plunged into the complex reality of their new lives together as Yaakov leaves his beloved yeshiva to work in the city, and Leah confronts the often agonizing restrictions imposed by religious laws governing even the most intimate moments of their married lives. Adding to their difficulties is the hostility of some in the community who continue to view Leah as a dangerous interloper, questioning her sincerity and adherence to religious laws and spreading outrageous rumors. In the midst of their heartfelt attempts to reach a balance between their human needs and their spiritual obligations, the discovery of a secret, forbidden relationship between troubled teenage daughter Shaindele and a local boy precipitates a maelstrom of life-changing consequences for all.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2021 Naomi Ragen (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Captivating

The story reads well and is not hackneyed. I didn’t want to stop reading until I finished.

Amazing

I could not put this book down, I would love to see the author write a third book about this family.

Compelling Story , Engaging Narration

Once I started listening I could not wait to get back to the book.

Wonderful Story and Characters

This book is a gem, full of flesh and blood characters. They strive for goodness, kindness, and faith but reveal human doubts and weaknesses. The story is intriguing and even dramatic. Altogether a satisfying experience. The narrator was wonderful—such a rich voice, full of compassion. Each character was distinctive, authentic, and recognizable. Great job all around!

Excellent!

I thoroughly enjoyed this continuous story line and each book can stand on its own merit.

Well written and well narrated

Captivating. I enjoyed every moment of this.
Well written and very well narrated. The characters had depth and the book touched upon many topics in a very thoughtful and respectful way.

Sequel to An Unorthodox Match

This was a wonderful book. It is important to have read Ms. Regan’s first book to have the back story. The Jewish vocabulary in the back of the book is lacking greatly in Jewish words used in the book and should be expanded. However, the story is very good and it was so interesting in learning of another culture.

Poignant and wise

I was thoroughly engrossed in this wonderful work! It is very psychologically, wise, and very poignant throughout.

read the first book before this one

no spoilers, I like that the first one was s love story, this one is too, a different kind. The whole social issue is, of course, valid. aIi just wanted easy reading. I still recommend the book, and shines line onto an issue we all need to fill

Mushy, not quite sure if it represents the majority of Jewish Woman or Men?

Could be a combination of writing and the narrator’s over exaggerating much of the reading? I began to doubt just how much experience the author had living in borough park or anywhere among Litvaks or Chassidim? Something’s rang genuine that had been highly publicized in the media, other than that, was left to the author’s imagination. I can only pray this is a much more personal exaggeration of the psyche of the author than that of the actual circumstances today! I’m not disputing that such thing’s occur in our communities, unfortunately more than we will ever know! Everyone’s reaction seemed very skewed and exaggerated in some instances, (out of balance), to muted in others.