Shmutz

Shmutz by Felicia Berliner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hasidic family in New York - absolutely unknown territory for me.
Young girl addicted to pornography - even more alien environment.
Still I read the book with interest mainly because I really liked the main character - Raizl.
Hard working girl preparing for a prearranged marriage.
Why she accepts so easily this very strict traditions?
My answer is - she feels love in her family, at least in its female part and she does not want to break this thread.
Other side of the story - men.
There are very few in this book and they are from different world.
What struck me most is information that pious man starts the day with thanks to
the G-d: Blessed are you, Hashem (Lord, our God), ruler of the universe who has not created me a woman.
A woman starts a day with thanks to G-d, that he created her according to His will.
I would like to read a similar story written from a position a Hasidic man.

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