Reviews - Shmutz | The StoryGraph

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500 reviews for:

Shmutz

Felicia Berliner

3.59 AVERAGE

aliciaprettybrowneyereader's review

3.0

emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The cover for this book is quite provocative. The main character, Raizl is a Hasidic young woman finding her way in the world. One of the things she discovers is her sexuality and she does this through online pornography. She becomes obsessed with watching on a laptop she has for college work.

Taking into consideration the novel’s premise and cover, I thought the book would read like a steamy romance. Sometimes it felt more like reading a YA book. Since the main character is late teen/early twenties, I understand why the book feels that way. There were graphic descriptions of the online videos Raizl views that didn’t go with the YA feel of the book.

This book would make a good book club discussion selection. It will spark many conversations around family, traditions, religions and sexuality.

I received an advanced copy of the book from Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

lorenare's review

4.0

reflective

herringboneshoeshine's review against another edition

3.5

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Ending was probably my favorite part, felt like things clicked together in a way I wish I could describe. Also wish the glossary had all of the Yiddish words used in the story since I found myself having to look up quite a few on my own. Definitely a book unlike anything I’ve read before.

gjniev's review

4.5

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

So much beauty in this debut novel that it would be difficult to explain in a review. Suffice to say that our protagonist, Raizl, is on a deeply personal journal and crossroad in her life. That challenge is mirrored in her Jewish faith and her desire for something more, even is cannot be explained. A unique novel, well developed and written.

lklitup's review

3.5

challenging emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

amandag0515's review against another edition

3.0

Thanks to the author, publisher, and Goodreads, for this giveaway!

I wish we could give half-stars because this book is definitely 3.5 stars to me. I enjoyed it maybe more than I expected, and was eager to read it as fast as possible. It really pushed me out of my comfort zone with the names and new words for things, and was also kind of familiar to me with the religious aspect outlining your daily life. It wasn’t as strict an upbringing as an Orthodox Jew, but Southern Baptists have their own limits due to religion so I liked that I could relate to that somewhat.

When I opened this novel, I had no idea what to expect and was instantly intrigued by the family dynamics of dating and marriage in Jewish communities, the Yiddish language, and Raizl’s story and porn addiction. No twist ending was needed and I think it actually trailed off at the perfect spot. We can see where she is going and yet, there is still some mystery. Can she continue to do what she wants, even though her life is changing?

The way addiction was addressed, with the main character in weekly therapy, and the inner monologue of the daily struggle of choices vs not feeling able to choose, but instead feeling obligated, was thoroughly portrayed here. I would read a second novel continuing in Raizl’s new future.