Reviews - Shmutz | The StoryGraph

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499 reviews for:

Shmutz

Felicia Berliner

3.58 AVERAGE

theshrinkette's review

3.75

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

sugarknits_'s review

4.5

hopeful inspiring relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

mackdaddy's review

3.5

emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Somehow I have found myself reading about the intersection of Orthodox Judaism and sexuality. This is a theme I did not see myself reading into this year, but a theme I’ve been enjoying immensely. I have no experience with the Hasidic community and know next-to no Yiddish, but that did not stop me from understanding and relating to this book. In fact, learning Yiddish terms along the way was one of the joys I took away. Overall, this book looked at self-exploration and how it can be at odds with your (personal, religious, communal, familial) values. It build up two views of religion: a rigid cage and a nurturing womb, and gave grace to both points-of-view. It created a naive and compelling character in Raizl.
There were some themes that were touched on that I wish were explored more deeply: homophobia, and racism, to name a few.
Then there was that weird shit with the Rebbetzin. Still not entirely sure or comfortable with what was going on there.
Overall, I took a lot from this book but it wasn’t one of the best books I’ve read this year.

denisedup's review against another edition

4.25

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

raychel's review against another edition

3.75

emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

knunderb's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional funny fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I learned a lot about Hasiddish culture and I thought the premise of the book was fascinating. I didn't love the wrap up of Raisl's story.

Content Warnings

rc_cola's review

5.0

This book may be my beshert because I'm in love. Berliner invites us into Raizl's world of online porn and the consequential internal struggles within her Chasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn. A compelling exploration into purity, sexual discovery, devotion, and taboo from a witty and tantalizing point of view -- with a Yiddish glossary included.