Unorthodox

The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots

By: Deborah Feldman

Narrated by: Rachel Botchan, Cassandra Campbell

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Called “brave and riveting” by Jeannette Walls, Deborah Feldman’s New York Times best-selling memoir of escaping from a strict Hasidic community includes a new afterword by the author as well as the epilogues from the original 2012 editions detailing the circumstances of her life after leaving her husband and forging new beginnings for herself and her young son.

As a member of the strictly religious Satmar sect of Hasidic Judaism, Deborah Feldman grew up under a code of relentlessly enforced customs governing everything from what she could wear and to whom she could speak to what she was allowed to read. Yet in spite of her repressive upbringing, Deborah grew into an independent-minded young woman whose stolen moments reading about the empowered literary characters of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott helped her to imagine an alternative way of life among the skyscrapers of Manhattan. Trapped as a teenager in a sexually and emotionally dysfunctional marriage to a man she barely knew, the tension between Deborah’s desires and her responsibilities as a good Satmar girl grew more explosive until she gave birth at 19 and realized that, regardless of the obstacles, she would have to forge a path - for herself and her son - to happiness and freedom.

Remarkable and fascinating, this “sensitive and memorable coming-of-age story” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) is one you won’t be able to put down.

©2012 Deborah Feldman (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

beautiful

Deborah's story is wrought with pain that rips your heart out, but her story of becoming and of giving herself and her son a new life is jaw droppingly beautiful. I'll be listening many more times. A Hot in Houston loves you and your son to the moon, Deborah. be well, beautiful sister.

Raw, Wrenching & Brave

In the afterward, the author says that her readers describe her book as “raw and wrenching” and it certainly is but it is eye opening as well. The book gives a window into a secret male-dominated culture and lifestyle that many of us have seen from a far but never up close. As painful as the story literally is, it’s worth the read

I love it

I wanted to hear the book before I watch the series. I couldn’t stop it was like taking the veil about about a community that I have been always intrigued about. Beautiful what an Amazing journey

Unorthodox

I loved listening to this book, after watching the Netflix adaptation. The book is 100% better, and I really liked the Netflix series) The book is very different in many ways. Don’t skip the afterword and ten years later at the end. So many lessons for all of us to learn regardless of your religious beliefs, social standing....

You opened my eyes!!

I was always aware of Orthodox Judaism growing up in New York City in the 60's but didn't realize the extent of the communities isolation & conscious disconnection from mainstream American culture. Ms. Feldman's story is compelling & heartbreaking. Up until now I had no idea that a segment of Jewish society actually blamed themselves and their sins for the holocaust rather than the Nazis and how much fear and anxiety plagued future generations of Jews after the Diaspora . The author's bravery and intelligence was inspiring and has helped countless others question the lives that have been laid out for them. Thank you for telling your story, you are an amazing human being. Sincerely, Liz Jardine

Inspiring

This is a fascinating story. It provides a lot more detail than the series about the author’s childhood and personal development before she began to consider the possibility of freedom.

A Relatable Journey to Freedom

I found the book Exodus in a beachside bookstore, and the description caught my eye! I was captivated by Deborah’s story, having similarities of my own, and decided to look up her first book Unorthodox. Unorthodox paints a descriptive picture of her journey to freedom, detailing how she overcame various overwhelming challenges. Her journey can be inspiring to anyone feeling stuck in a situation that seems impossible to become free from! I know it helped me immensely!

UnOrthodox

I enjoyed the book thoroughly what a brave woman I recommend it highly very good I learned a lot in the lifestyle they had to live what was forced upon them and how sad it is for gay people or women that can’t get pregnant we tossed aside thank you

a very emotional and beautiful story

a reminder of the importance of women's rights to empower an educate sons and daughters

Honest & Heartfelt Story!

Loved this story, though wish the author narrated it herself!! Such honesty & heartfelt writing!