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A review by julinino19
The Only Daughter by A B Yehoshua
3.0
This was a short and intimate glimpse into a Jewish-Italian girl's life, as she grapples with her father's illness and their shared faith.
Plot?
Whatever you interpret from the synopsis, I can say with confidence that this book has no plot.
But, that's not a bad thing. The length of the book paired with the narrative style worked for me. It didn't feel slow nor boring, perhaps a bit simplistic, but I want to believe that that was kind of the point.
Rachele is twelve years old. She is an only child and is curious about the differences between Jews and Christians, especially after she discovers her father would not allow her to play the Virgin Mary in a school play. Her father is also sick and in need of medical attention. We follow Rachele and several adult figures in her life as they all divulge their opinions on faith, tradition, class, and illness. This story is more about what Rachele is told, rather than what she thinks. Or, perhaps, it's about the questions she forms with the different perspectives she encounters—questions that are answered differently by those around her.
Subtly brilliant, or simply mediocre?
Well, I think it's both.
There is something to be admired about the gentleness this book exuded. It had a calming tone; I felt as if time had stopped. The atmosphere was rich, one I could feel around me.
Then there was Rachele herself. Much like the Virgin Mary, whom we shroud with holiness, Rachele was covered in a glow of innocence. But, this "innocence" sometimes came off as immaturity. I would find myself picturing Rachele as a seven-year-old girl rather than twelve. I believe this served a purpose to the objective of the novel, but it wasn't something I enjoyed.
There isn't much to say other than I didn't hate it, nor was I super impressed by it. When I finished, it felt like the story was over before it started, but enough of me was satisfied to let go.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperVia for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Plot?
Whatever you interpret from the synopsis, I can say with confidence that this book has no plot.
But, that's not a bad thing. The length of the book paired with the narrative style worked for me. It didn't feel slow nor boring, perhaps a bit simplistic, but I want to believe that that was kind of the point.
Rachele is twelve years old. She is an only child and is curious about the differences between Jews and Christians, especially after she discovers her father would not allow her to play the Virgin Mary in a school play. Her father is also sick and in need of medical attention. We follow Rachele and several adult figures in her life as they all divulge their opinions on faith, tradition, class, and illness. This story is more about what Rachele is told, rather than what she thinks. Or, perhaps, it's about the questions she forms with the different perspectives she encounters—questions that are answered differently by those around her.
Subtly brilliant, or simply mediocre?
Well, I think it's both.
There is something to be admired about the gentleness this book exuded. It had a calming tone; I felt as if time had stopped. The atmosphere was rich, one I could feel around me.
Then there was Rachele herself. Much like the Virgin Mary, whom we shroud with holiness, Rachele was covered in a glow of innocence. But, this "innocence" sometimes came off as immaturity. I would find myself picturing Rachele as a seven-year-old girl rather than twelve. I believe this served a purpose to the objective of the novel, but it wasn't something I enjoyed.
There isn't much to say other than I didn't hate it, nor was I super impressed by it. When I finished, it felt like the story was over before it started, but enough of me was satisfied to let go.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperVia for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.