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Four Mothers
Shifra Horn's beautifully imagined novel tells the story of five generations of women in one family against the backdrop of one hundred years in Jerusalem.
The story begins with the birth of the family's first boy to Amal, the last generation. Her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are overjoyed, because the birth of a healthy boy means that the curse against the women of the family has been broken. They tell Amal the story of those "foremothers": Mazal, the orphan, whose ill-fated marriage initiates the curse; her daughter Sara, whose golden hair is a symbol for her power to heal; Sara's daughter Pnina-Mazal, the unwanted child whose talent for knowing others' thoughts brings both joy and sorrow; and her daughter Geula, Amal's mother, whose sharp intellect is her gift and her burden.
The story begins with the birth of the family's first boy to Amal, the last generation. Her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are overjoyed, because the birth of a healthy boy means that the curse against the women of the family has been broken. They tell Amal the story of those "foremothers": Mazal, the orphan, whose ill-fated marriage initiates the curse; her daughter Sara, whose golden hair is a symbol for her power to heal; Sara's daughter Pnina-Mazal, the unwanted child whose talent for knowing others' thoughts brings both joy and sorrow; and her daughter Geula, Amal's mother, whose sharp intellect is her gift and her burden.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
46 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Shifra Horn
14 books7 followersShifra Horn was born in Tel Aviv. She lives in the Old Malcha neighbourhood of Jerusalem and in Auckland New Zealand. After majoring in Bible Studies and Archeology - BA (Hons)- at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, she earned an MA in Bible Studies. Horn also studied mass communications and completed a teaching degree.
Horn worked as an educational officer for the World Union of Jewish Students, and helped to organize the airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Horn also participated in the campaign to free Soviet and Syrian Jews, producing films and written material.
In the course of her work with Jewish students from oppressed communities around the world, she discovered a village of Jewish Marranos who had kept their Jewish identity secret for over 500 years. Horn's activity in the village of Belmonte in northwest Portugal resulted in the entire population converting fully to Judaism .
Horn was a spokesperson for the Israel Absorption Ministry until her departure for Japan, where she served as Far East correspondent for the Israel Defense Forces Radio station and Ma'ariv daily newspaper for five years. Horn worked as the director of the Tokyo Jewish Community Center and taught Bible Studies and Hebrew at the Bible College in Ginza, Tokyo.
Upon her return to Jerusalem, she opened a public relations firm, and lectured on Japan and literary topics. Her books have been translated from Hebrew into English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Greek, Mandarin and Turkish.
Horn worked as an educational officer for the World Union of Jewish Students, and helped to organize the airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Horn also participated in the campaign to free Soviet and Syrian Jews, producing films and written material.
In the course of her work with Jewish students from oppressed communities around the world, she discovered a village of Jewish Marranos who had kept their Jewish identity secret for over 500 years. Horn's activity in the village of Belmonte in northwest Portugal resulted in the entire population converting fully to Judaism .
Horn was a spokesperson for the Israel Absorption Ministry until her departure for Japan, where she served as Far East correspondent for the Israel Defense Forces Radio station and Ma'ariv daily newspaper for five years. Horn worked as the director of the Tokyo Jewish Community Center and taught Bible Studies and Hebrew at the Bible College in Ginza, Tokyo.
Upon her return to Jerusalem, she opened a public relations firm, and lectured on Japan and literary topics. Her books have been translated from Hebrew into English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Greek, Mandarin and Turkish.
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April 13, 2020
A rich and sweeping family saga set in Israel over a century, about five remarkable Jewish mothers.
Amal, after giving birth to a son, and thereby breaking the curse of the women of her family explores the lives of her mother, the wayward Geula, her grandmother Pnina Mazal who can read minds, her great grandmother, the legendary beauty, Sara, and her great great grandmother, Mazal, who was forced to marry young and was abandoned by her husband after giving birth, thus setting the trend of single motherhood which each of the women in the family would be burdened with.
Full of sites and signs and undercurrents , and many other characters and persons that burst from the pages.
It is an epic rich in humanity, erotic, ironic, and full of twists and turns, that will stay in your mind long after you have read it. It traces the many generations of Jews that have lived in Jerusalem, in a sensitive and thoughtful way.
Sadly some people in the world cannot recognize humanity. When Shifra Horn appeared on Australian radio to discuss this totally non-political book, the talk show host aggressively interrogated her on the supposed sins of Israel's government, ignoring the book she had come to talk about.
Some people in the world refuse to recognize the humanity of Israel's Jews, dehumanizing them in such a way that resembles Europe before the Holocaust
Amal, after giving birth to a son, and thereby breaking the curse of the women of her family explores the lives of her mother, the wayward Geula, her grandmother Pnina Mazal who can read minds, her great grandmother, the legendary beauty, Sara, and her great great grandmother, Mazal, who was forced to marry young and was abandoned by her husband after giving birth, thus setting the trend of single motherhood which each of the women in the family would be burdened with.
Full of sites and signs and undercurrents , and many other characters and persons that burst from the pages.
It is an epic rich in humanity, erotic, ironic, and full of twists and turns, that will stay in your mind long after you have read it. It traces the many generations of Jews that have lived in Jerusalem, in a sensitive and thoughtful way.
Sadly some people in the world cannot recognize humanity. When Shifra Horn appeared on Australian radio to discuss this totally non-political book, the talk show host aggressively interrogated her on the supposed sins of Israel's government, ignoring the book she had come to talk about.
Some people in the world refuse to recognize the humanity of Israel's Jews, dehumanizing them in such a way that resembles Europe before the Holocaust
January 10, 2010
This doesn’t really merit a summary, but here it is – five generations of women suffer a curse which results in their being abandoned by their husbands around the time they deliver their first child. From here, you can probably write the book yourself – typical chick lit saga of mothers and daughters, each with her own story. Apparently, Israel is not immune to the tired marketing ploy of, “Middle aged women, I just know you’ll love to read me in your book clubs and will uncritically accept all my amateurish writing flaws because I’m an empowerment story of a Sisterhood of Strong Women who Don’t Need Men.”
The Red Tent, The Secret Life of Bees, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Women of the Silk, and countless other books all have trademarks of this one:
1. Men who are at best, ineffectual and superfluous, at worst, boorish and abusive.
2. Women who find that all their needs, sometimes even sexual ones, can be better met by other women.
3. CLICHES.
4. More clichés.
5. One-dimensional characters.
6. Predictable plot twists, at least those that make sense.
7. Pathetic attempts at poetic writing which often result in bizarre oxymorons.
8. Frequent references to bodily fluids and/or smells.
9. An exotic setting in an apparent attempt to compensate for all of the above.
Am I betraying the sisterhood of women when I say that I actually, uh, like men? That I’ve found that they can be strong (in a good way), intelligent, and interesting? That women can be jerks too? That I like reading about characters, both male and female, who are three-dimensional and alive with strengths and weaknesses?
I've also decided I don’t like magic realism. I mean, I really don’t like it. I find it hard enough to understand the world I live in without throwing in a whole bunch of new rules of nature which appear and disappear unpredictably to suit the author’s fancy.
The icing on the cake for me, of course, is this bizarre version of Judaism. Has Shifra Horn ever been to a mikvah? Has she ever met a religious person?
Old Joke: What’s the closest religion you’ll find to Orthodox Judaism?
New Response: Orthodox Jews as depicted in literature.
On second thought, maybe not. Either way, let me just say that Naomi Ragen’s endorsing this book comes as no surprise.
And one final gripe – the book really describes the stories of five mothers, not four, but I guess four was more poetically symbolic. That about says it all, doesn’t it?
Apparently, this book won lots of Israeli literary prizes. Score one more for the quality of Israeli literature.
The Red Tent, The Secret Life of Bees, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Women of the Silk, and countless other books all have trademarks of this one:
1. Men who are at best, ineffectual and superfluous, at worst, boorish and abusive.
2. Women who find that all their needs, sometimes even sexual ones, can be better met by other women.
3. CLICHES.
4. More clichés.
5. One-dimensional characters.
6. Predictable plot twists, at least those that make sense.
7. Pathetic attempts at poetic writing which often result in bizarre oxymorons.
8. Frequent references to bodily fluids and/or smells.
9. An exotic setting in an apparent attempt to compensate for all of the above.
Am I betraying the sisterhood of women when I say that I actually, uh, like men? That I’ve found that they can be strong (in a good way), intelligent, and interesting? That women can be jerks too? That I like reading about characters, both male and female, who are three-dimensional and alive with strengths and weaknesses?
I've also decided I don’t like magic realism. I mean, I really don’t like it. I find it hard enough to understand the world I live in without throwing in a whole bunch of new rules of nature which appear and disappear unpredictably to suit the author’s fancy.
The icing on the cake for me, of course, is this bizarre version of Judaism. Has Shifra Horn ever been to a mikvah? Has she ever met a religious person?
Old Joke: What’s the closest religion you’ll find to Orthodox Judaism?
New Response: Orthodox Jews as depicted in literature.
On second thought, maybe not. Either way, let me just say that Naomi Ragen’s endorsing this book comes as no surprise.
And one final gripe – the book really describes the stories of five mothers, not four, but I guess four was more poetically symbolic. That about says it all, doesn’t it?
Apparently, this book won lots of Israeli literary prizes. Score one more for the quality of Israeli literature.
January 5, 2018
סיפור ארבע דורות נשים במשפחה ירושלמית.
הסיפור נמסר מזווית ראיה של עמל, שקיבלה מסבתה רבא שלה ירושה של צילומים אותם צילם אדוארד, המאהב של סבתא רבא. עמל, המכונה גם עמליה יוצאת בעקבות הצילומים לחקור את העבר וללמוד על הנשים במשפחתה, כשהמוטיבציה המרכזית שלה היא ללמוד מי היה אביה.
הסיפור מתמקד בסבתא רבא שרה, שנחשבה לאישה היפה בירושלים. סיפור חייה מתחיל בנישואים לאברהם ובלידת יצחק שגדל להיות אוטיסט או בעל פיגור שיכלי, לא ברור מהסיפור. אברהם ושרה יחד עם יצחק עוזבים את ירושלים כדי לטפל באביו של אברהם בחו"ל. כשהם מגיעים לבית הוריו, אימו של אברהם מתנכלת לשרה ואברהם מתרחק ממיטתה. לאחר מספר שנים ולאחר לידת בתה הגאונה, פנינה מזל, שרה מחליטה לחזור לירושלים עם הילדים וללא אברהם שמחליט להישאר עם הוריו, בנקודה זו הסיפור האמיתי מתחיל.
שרה פוגשת באוניה את הצלם האמריקאי אדוארד. הם מתאהבים אהבה שתלווה אותם לאורך כל חייהם. לאחר ששרה חוזרת לירושלים, היא יולדת לאדוארד ילד, מטפלת במשפחתה ומתגעגעת לאדוארד שנעלם. כשהוא חוזר לרגע, הוא נבהל ממצבה של שרה ונעלם שוב מחייה. שרה אוספת את כוחותיה ומשקיעה את מרצה בטיפוח הכישרונות של בתה, פנינה מזל ובטיפול ביצחק שלא מראה סימנים של יציאה מהבידוד הנפשי שהוא נמצא בו.
לאחר תקופה, אדוארד חוזר לחיי שרה ומכאן ואילך לא יעלם מחייה.
הילדים גדלים, פנינה מזל מתחתנת עם האברך שיוצא למלחמה ונהרג. אחרי 6 שנים של נישואים כשהוא יוצא למלחמה היא מתעברת ויולדת את גאולה. פנינה מזל היא אשת קריירה ולכן היא מותירה את גאולה אצל מיינקת ערבייה. גאולה נקשרת אל המיינקת ואל בנה מוחמד בקשרי עבותות ואהבה. הקשר בינה ובין מוחמד ילווה את גאולה לאורך כל חייה. בתקופה הזו, חברתה של פנינה מזל, דווידה מתאהבת ביצחק, היא נישאת לו ויולדת לו את אברהם. לאחר הלידה דווידה מתנתקת מיצחק ועוזבת את הארץ עם חייל אנגלי.
גאולה, גדלה להיות מרדנית בעלת דעות קיצוניות על שוויון וצדק. היא יולדת את עמל מאב לא ידוע והופכת לעורכת דין שמייצגת מיעוטים.
בסקירות שקראתי וגם בתקציר של הספר באתר של שיפרה הורן, שמתי לב שמציינים כי מקומם של הגברים נפקד.
אני חושבת שזו טעות תפיסתית שגורמת לעיוות התפיסה בזמן הקריאה; נכון הוא שמדובר בנשים עצמאיות שבחיי היום יום מתנהלות ללא גבר לצידן.
אך, רוחם וצילם של הגברים שורה על כל שורה בעלילת הספר. החל מאהבתו העמוקה של אדוארד לשרה וכלה בעומק הקשר בין מוחמד לגאולה.
לגברים יש תפקיד מרכזי בהנעת העלילה ובצמיחה של הנשים והם מאוד נוכחים ברגעי משבר.
הבעיה שלי עם הספר היא ההחלטה, כנראה המודעת, של הסופרת לפתח את הסיפור של ארבעת הנשים במשפחה. עלילות המשנה טובות ומוסיפות עומק לספר אבל הן לא מספיקות בפני עצמן והן לא מספקות תשובות לשאלות המרכזיות בחייה של עמל, שבסיפור שלה הספר מתחיל. המוטיבציה של עמל, לאתר את אביה אינה באה על סיפוקה ובסוף הספר לקורא אין מושג מי אביה. גם הסיפור על האברכים נותר בגדר שמועה ולא מאומת כך שלא הקורא ולא הדמות המספרת מקבלים את התשובות לשאלות שמלכתחילה הניעו את העלילה.
בנוסף, אף דמות בספר אינה מפותחת כמו הדמות של שרה, שהיא לטעמי הדמות המלאה ביותר בספר. הסיפור שלה מרתק ומספק רגעי עונג משמעותיים בסיפור. היא הציר המרכזי של הסיפור וכל יתר הדמויות והסיפורים שלהן הם לטעמי הערות שוליים לסיפור המרכזי שהוא שלה.
הספר מלא בניחוחות ירושלמיים באהבה וחושניות. וכפי שכתבתי יש בו רגעי עונג בסיפור של שרה. חבל שבחלק האחרון של הספר, הסיפור מאבד את המיקוד שלו עם הסיפור של עמל והסיפור של גאולה שלמעשה לא מחדש דבר ממה שכבר נמסר במהלך הפרקים הקודמים בספר. הרגשתי שהסופרת לא ידעה כיצד לסיים את הספר והדבר הזה די פגם לי בהנאה.
הסיפור נמסר מזווית ראיה של עמל, שקיבלה מסבתה רבא שלה ירושה של צילומים אותם צילם אדוארד, המאהב של סבתא רבא. עמל, המכונה גם עמליה יוצאת בעקבות הצילומים לחקור את העבר וללמוד על הנשים במשפחתה, כשהמוטיבציה המרכזית שלה היא ללמוד מי היה אביה.
הסיפור מתמקד בסבתא רבא שרה, שנחשבה לאישה היפה בירושלים. סיפור חייה מתחיל בנישואים לאברהם ובלידת יצחק שגדל להיות אוטיסט או בעל פיגור שיכלי, לא ברור מהסיפור. אברהם ושרה יחד עם יצחק עוזבים את ירושלים כדי לטפל באביו של אברהם בחו"ל. כשהם מגיעים לבית הוריו, אימו של אברהם מתנכלת לשרה ואברהם מתרחק ממיטתה. לאחר מספר שנים ולאחר לידת בתה הגאונה, פנינה מזל, שרה מחליטה לחזור לירושלים עם הילדים וללא אברהם שמחליט להישאר עם הוריו, בנקודה זו הסיפור האמיתי מתחיל.
שרה פוגשת באוניה את הצלם האמריקאי אדוארד. הם מתאהבים אהבה שתלווה אותם לאורך כל חייהם. לאחר ששרה חוזרת לירושלים, היא יולדת לאדוארד ילד, מטפלת במשפחתה ומתגעגעת לאדוארד שנעלם. כשהוא חוזר לרגע, הוא נבהל ממצבה של שרה ונעלם שוב מחייה. שרה אוספת את כוחותיה ומשקיעה את מרצה בטיפוח הכישרונות של בתה, פנינה מזל ובטיפול ביצחק שלא מראה סימנים של יציאה מהבידוד הנפשי שהוא נמצא בו.
לאחר תקופה, אדוארד חוזר לחיי שרה ומכאן ואילך לא יעלם מחייה.
הילדים גדלים, פנינה מזל מתחתנת עם האברך שיוצא למלחמה ונהרג. אחרי 6 שנים של נישואים כשהוא יוצא למלחמה היא מתעברת ויולדת את גאולה. פנינה מזל היא אשת קריירה ולכן היא מותירה את גאולה אצל מיינקת ערבייה. גאולה נקשרת אל המיינקת ואל בנה מוחמד בקשרי עבותות ואהבה. הקשר בינה ובין מוחמד ילווה את גאולה לאורך כל חייה. בתקופה הזו, חברתה של פנינה מזל, דווידה מתאהבת ביצחק, היא נישאת לו ויולדת לו את אברהם. לאחר הלידה דווידה מתנתקת מיצחק ועוזבת את הארץ עם חייל אנגלי.
גאולה, גדלה להיות מרדנית בעלת דעות קיצוניות על שוויון וצדק. היא יולדת את עמל מאב לא ידוע והופכת לעורכת דין שמייצגת מיעוטים.
בסקירות שקראתי וגם בתקציר של הספר באתר של שיפרה הורן, שמתי לב שמציינים כי מקומם של הגברים נפקד.
אני חושבת שזו טעות תפיסתית שגורמת לעיוות התפיסה בזמן הקריאה; נכון הוא שמדובר בנשים עצמאיות שבחיי היום יום מתנהלות ללא גבר לצידן.
אך, רוחם וצילם של הגברים שורה על כל שורה בעלילת הספר. החל מאהבתו העמוקה של אדוארד לשרה וכלה בעומק הקשר בין מוחמד לגאולה.
לגברים יש תפקיד מרכזי בהנעת העלילה ובצמיחה של הנשים והם מאוד נוכחים ברגעי משבר.
הבעיה שלי עם הספר היא ההחלטה, כנראה המודעת, של הסופרת לפתח את הסיפור של ארבעת הנשים במשפחה. עלילות המשנה טובות ומוסיפות עומק לספר אבל הן לא מספיקות בפני עצמן והן לא מספקות תשובות לשאלות המרכזיות בחייה של עמל, שבסיפור שלה הספר מתחיל. המוטיבציה של עמל, לאתר את אביה אינה באה על סיפוקה ובסוף הספר לקורא אין מושג מי אביה. גם הסיפור על האברכים נותר בגדר שמועה ולא מאומת כך שלא הקורא ולא הדמות המספרת מקבלים את התשובות לשאלות שמלכתחילה הניעו את העלילה.
בנוסף, אף דמות בספר אינה מפותחת כמו הדמות של שרה, שהיא לטעמי הדמות המלאה ביותר בספר. הסיפור שלה מרתק ומספק רגעי עונג משמעותיים בסיפור. היא הציר המרכזי של הסיפור וכל יתר הדמויות והסיפורים שלהן הם לטעמי הערות שוליים לסיפור המרכזי שהוא שלה.
הספר מלא בניחוחות ירושלמיים באהבה וחושניות. וכפי שכתבתי יש בו רגעי עונג בסיפור של שרה. חבל שבחלק האחרון של הספר, הסיפור מאבד את המיקוד שלו עם הסיפור של עמל והסיפור של גאולה שלמעשה לא מחדש דבר ממה שכבר נמסר במהלך הפרקים הקודמים בספר. הרגשתי שהסופרת לא ידעה כיצד לסיים את הספר והדבר הזה די פגם לי בהנאה.
June 13, 2018
come quando all’improvviso muore una nonna, dal suo corpo rugoso coperto dall’alito dell’ultimo respiro, tu generazione futura esali quel respiro, lo prendi dentro di te e fai un patto con te stessa: di curarlo e custodirlo sempre.
così Sarah ha costruito la sua famiglia. Lei prima amante sventurata, poi madre di mille figli, portatrice di vita e mai di morte, quella Sarah consolata da un amore improvviso e nascosto. Sarah che con forza e impegno, a suon di focacce, gelsi e rose cresce la figlia Pnina Mazal donna forte anche lei, che assorbiva tutto ciò che le stava intorno. Impara lingue come beveva acqua. Mazal che crescendo ha vissuto le guerre,la carestie e l’odio. Mazal che ha visto un unico amore svanito e un altro che lentamente cresceva Ghuela sua figlia, rossa come il diavolo e altrettanto perspicace che insegue un sogno bloccato da lei. Amal donna che finalmente interrompe la maledizione degli uomini!
Un romanzo familiare al femminile, elegante e dolce, ma come ogni donna sa essere, anche a volte spietato e crudele. Un romanzo come pezzi di fotografia che narrano la storia di una vita, di molte vite, di infinte vite
così Sarah ha costruito la sua famiglia. Lei prima amante sventurata, poi madre di mille figli, portatrice di vita e mai di morte, quella Sarah consolata da un amore improvviso e nascosto. Sarah che con forza e impegno, a suon di focacce, gelsi e rose cresce la figlia Pnina Mazal donna forte anche lei, che assorbiva tutto ciò che le stava intorno. Impara lingue come beveva acqua. Mazal che crescendo ha vissuto le guerre,la carestie e l’odio. Mazal che ha visto un unico amore svanito e un altro che lentamente cresceva Ghuela sua figlia, rossa come il diavolo e altrettanto perspicace che insegue un sogno bloccato da lei. Amal donna che finalmente interrompe la maledizione degli uomini!
Un romanzo familiare al femminile, elegante e dolce, ma come ogni donna sa essere, anche a volte spietato e crudele. Un romanzo come pezzi di fotografia che narrano la storia di una vita, di molte vite, di infinte vite
July 30, 2021
Quattro donne nate e cresciute a Gerusalemme, la Città Santa, alla fine dell’800 e gli inizi del 900, con l’occupazione prima dell’esercito ottomano e successivamente con l’arrivo degli inglesi. È un ritratto colorito e profondo del destino di queste donne, intrecciato di cultura e condito con un pizzico di realismo magico. Il libro inizia con la più giovane di queste donne che cerca in tutti i modi di conoscere l’identità del padre biologico, del quale sembra nessuno sappia niente. Così, a ritroso lei ci racconta prima della bisnonna, Mazel, la capostipite, orfana, la quale porta con sé una maledizione. In seguito, conosceremo sua figlia, Sarah, di una bellezza straordinaria e con grandi poteri, le sue nipoti Pnina Mazel e Gheula, quest’ultima una donna combattiva, rivoluzionaria, che spezzerà gli schemi di decenni. Libro assolutamente non scontato e con un egregia scrittura. È stato un bellissimo regalo, una bellissima lettura, in tutti i sensi! Grazie!
June 8, 2020
Quattro donne in cinque generazioni mostrano lo scorre del tempo in una Gerusalemme in continuo divenire.
Quattro diverse figure non solo per l'età, ma soprattutto per l'indole e l'approccio alla vita. Sarah, la matriarca e capostipite di questa piccola tribù, istintiva è legata ad un passato ancora naturale, Pnina mazal si trova ad essere ponte tra un mondo troppo concreto ed unotroppo astratto, Gherula rompere ogni schema conosciuto è sconosciuto alla sua famiglia ed infine Amal che deve tirare le somme e chiudere le fila lasciate nella storia.
Tra la storia dell'ultimo secolo è un pizzico di realismo magico, Quattro Madri mostra come anche l'atto più banale e le relazioni più conosciute siano pregne del magico profumo delle rose.
Quattro diverse figure non solo per l'età, ma soprattutto per l'indole e l'approccio alla vita. Sarah, la matriarca e capostipite di questa piccola tribù, istintiva è legata ad un passato ancora naturale, Pnina mazal si trova ad essere ponte tra un mondo troppo concreto ed unotroppo astratto, Gherula rompere ogni schema conosciuto è sconosciuto alla sua famiglia ed infine Amal che deve tirare le somme e chiudere le fila lasciate nella storia.
Tra la storia dell'ultimo secolo è un pizzico di realismo magico, Quattro Madri mostra come anche l'atto più banale e le relazioni più conosciute siano pregne del magico profumo delle rose.
March 25, 2024
This was weird but not good weird. Did not enjoy.
July 21, 2020
Meraviglioso! Storie di donne forti, sensibili, tenaci, che non si arrendono e non si lasciano.piegare dal loro destino. Tra realismo magico e folclore, "quattro madri" mi ha conquistato per la sua scrittura, ma soprattutto per le sue protagoniste!
November 29, 2018
I honestly don’t know how to start this review.
I had so many expectation about this book: a book that tell us the story of a family through four generation? With a touch of magical realism? That’s my thing.
So you can immagine my disappointment after I ended this novel.
It started well. Very well. We met Amal, who summarise (ish) to us the story of her family and presents us with a mistery: who is her father? Why her family is hiding his identity? She also tells us about a curse that, accordingly to Great-Granma Sarah, afflict the family.
Cool, right?
Well, the first quarter is quite okay, I have to admit that, but the remaining is pretty dull. Its like, at some point, the author completely forgets shares of the plot; an example? The curse! Why Sarah thinks they are victim of it? When this idea emerge into her head? And, more importantly, why the birth of Amal’s son break it? There’s no real reason to believe in that, and there’s no common ground between the stories of Mazal, Sarah, Pnina Mazal, Gheula and Amal.
Another thing that made me cringe is the explanation of Pnina Mazal obsession with cats: “She likes them”... I mean, i like cats too, but i would never live with hundreds of them nor let them give birth on my disabled brother giant stomach (speaking of: we understood, he’s fat. How many time you need to repeat that?).
Should we talk about the passing years? In the space of two paragraph can pass equally thirty minutes, five months or six years (for instance Pnina Mazal and David love story: they get married and suddenly they have been trying for a child for six years; and then again he’s dead and she’s eight months pregnant... okay?).
And i could go on like above as much as you like, but it’s useless. The only thing i really liked (and that validate the two stars instead of one) is Sarah and Edward relationship.
Pity.
P.s. This was my first Shifra Horn; I think I’ll give a chance to at least another one of hers, because reading other disappointed reviews lead me to think she’s something.
Also, I read the book in Italian so probably some was lost in adaptation.
I had so many expectation about this book: a book that tell us the story of a family through four generation? With a touch of magical realism? That’s my thing.
So you can immagine my disappointment after I ended this novel.
It started well. Very well. We met Amal, who summarise (ish) to us the story of her family and presents us with a mistery: who is her father? Why her family is hiding his identity? She also tells us about a curse that, accordingly to Great-Granma Sarah, afflict the family.
Cool, right?
Well, the first quarter is quite okay, I have to admit that, but the remaining is pretty dull. Its like, at some point, the author completely forgets shares of the plot; an example? The curse! Why Sarah thinks they are victim of it? When this idea emerge into her head? And, more importantly, why the birth of Amal’s son break it? There’s no real reason to believe in that, and there’s no common ground between the stories of Mazal, Sarah, Pnina Mazal, Gheula and Amal.
Another thing that made me cringe is the explanation of Pnina Mazal obsession with cats: “She likes them”... I mean, i like cats too, but i would never live with hundreds of them nor let them give birth on my disabled brother giant stomach (speaking of: we understood, he’s fat. How many time you need to repeat that?).
Should we talk about the passing years? In the space of two paragraph can pass equally thirty minutes, five months or six years (for instance Pnina Mazal and David love story: they get married and suddenly they have been trying for a child for six years; and then again he’s dead and she’s eight months pregnant... okay?).
And i could go on like above as much as you like, but it’s useless. The only thing i really liked (and that validate the two stars instead of one) is Sarah and Edward relationship.
Pity.
P.s. This was my first Shifra Horn; I think I’ll give a chance to at least another one of hers, because reading other disappointed reviews lead me to think she’s something.
Also, I read the book in Italian so probably some was lost in adaptation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2018
Ogni pagina reca con sé emozioni e trasmette la forza delle protagoniste: donne ferite dalla vita che non si spezzano ma nascondono la loro vulnerabilità dietro il coraggio di vivere per costruire un futuro migliore. Donne prigioniere della solitudine, travolte da passioni e sogni infranti, donne capaci di ricostruire la propria vita dinanzi alle difficoltà senza perdere mai la loro umanità. Donne dagli occhi velati di tristezza che combattono e, come un seme sepolto, rinascono a nuova vita.
Shifra Horn, con una scrittura nitida a volte poeticamente velata di malinconia, ci regala il ricordo di una società complessa in cui le tradizioni sono importanti e scandiscono la quotidianità. Il ricordo diventa il luogo in cui perdersi e ritrovarsi conoscendo donne e uomini che hanno fatto ciò che ritenevano giusto, senza clamore. Donne intraprendenti pronte a lottare nel loro cammino di vita. […]
Nel romanzo “Quattro madri”, l’autrice affronta grandi temi attraverso i drammi e gli affetti privati. In ogni pagina si respira un dolore indefinito che, di madre in figlia, coinvolge le donne della famiglia. Donne imprevedibili segnate dalla tragedia della Storia e da un destino personale tumultuoso. Donne che meritano tutto il nostro rispetto.
Recensione completa sul blog Penna D'oro http://pennadoro.blogspot.com/2018/06...
Shifra Horn, con una scrittura nitida a volte poeticamente velata di malinconia, ci regala il ricordo di una società complessa in cui le tradizioni sono importanti e scandiscono la quotidianità. Il ricordo diventa il luogo in cui perdersi e ritrovarsi conoscendo donne e uomini che hanno fatto ciò che ritenevano giusto, senza clamore. Donne intraprendenti pronte a lottare nel loro cammino di vita. […]
Nel romanzo “Quattro madri”, l’autrice affronta grandi temi attraverso i drammi e gli affetti privati. In ogni pagina si respira un dolore indefinito che, di madre in figlia, coinvolge le donne della famiglia. Donne imprevedibili segnate dalla tragedia della Storia e da un destino personale tumultuoso. Donne che meritano tutto il nostro rispetto.
Recensione completa sul blog Penna D'oro http://pennadoro.blogspot.com/2018/06...
September 4, 2022
In questo libro c’è una delle pagine PIÙ BRUTTE che abbia letto in tutta la mia vita. Descrive i rapporti sessuali come se fossero di zucchero filato e l’unico odore che sti due sentono mentre sc0pano è profumo di rose. ma tutto ok? un libro così pieno di buoni propositi che non so neanche perché quel giorno mi ha attirata. i personaggi vivono nel magico mondo delle fiabe e sono tutti biondi e belli come non mai. l’unica cosa positiva è che almeno dura poco
April 16, 2015
I liked the generational saga aspect. I also enjoyed the individual stories regarding each of the women, which wove a tapestry of love, loss, turmoil and even redemption.
February 11, 2019
letto in modalità sandra&raimondo: che noia che barba che barba che noia
July 15, 2016
One of the best books I've ever read.
July 2, 2024
Four Mothers is the story of actually five generations of a family of Jerusalemite women. The narrative provides a broad sweep of Israeli history through the 19th and 20th Centuries. At first glance, there are no men involved with any of these independent women. But, of course, there were men in the background involved with these successive generations of mothers.
The story begins with the last of these mothers, Amal, and her search for the identity of her absent father. Through her research, we learn about the founding mother, Mazal (luck). The main character in the book is her daughter, Sara, a raving beauty who later in life becomes a healer. Just as in Genesis, Sara marries Avraham and they have a son Yitzhak. Sara also gives birth to Pnina-Mazal, a gifted linguist. In turn, Pnina-Mazal produces Geula (redemption), a hard-edged political radical, feminist and lawyer who represents the rights of the Arab population. Geula adamantly refuses to tell her daughter, Amal, anything about her father. Although we never learn her father’s identity, Amal succeeds in breaking the “curse” of her foremothers by giving birth to a son.
The book is rich in the colors and smells of Jerusalem. The author explores the intimate relations these mothers had, their triumphs and sorrows. Horn portrays an easy and tolerant relationship between Arabs and Jews until the mid 20th Century. That changed around the time of the War of Independence, and the atmosphere today between the two groups is one of suspicion and distrust.
The story begins with the last of these mothers, Amal, and her search for the identity of her absent father. Through her research, we learn about the founding mother, Mazal (luck). The main character in the book is her daughter, Sara, a raving beauty who later in life becomes a healer. Just as in Genesis, Sara marries Avraham and they have a son Yitzhak. Sara also gives birth to Pnina-Mazal, a gifted linguist. In turn, Pnina-Mazal produces Geula (redemption), a hard-edged political radical, feminist and lawyer who represents the rights of the Arab population. Geula adamantly refuses to tell her daughter, Amal, anything about her father. Although we never learn her father’s identity, Amal succeeds in breaking the “curse” of her foremothers by giving birth to a son.
The book is rich in the colors and smells of Jerusalem. The author explores the intimate relations these mothers had, their triumphs and sorrows. Horn portrays an easy and tolerant relationship between Arabs and Jews until the mid 20th Century. That changed around the time of the War of Independence, and the atmosphere today between the two groups is one of suspicion and distrust.
May 14, 2023
In realtà le madri sono cinque ma l’intero romanzo (ambientato nei territori dell’attuale Israele e Palestina) si focalizza sin particolare su una di queste, le altre sono sempre viste in relazione alla vita di quella che è considerata la matriarca della famiglia, Sarah. All’inizio della narrazione vengono sollevate delle questioni centrali per la voce narrante (l’ultima madre, bisnipote di Sarah) che però poi si perdono nel prosieguo della vicenda, diventando marginali. C’è anche un errore (non so se di traduzione) in cui la madre di Sarah a un certo punto viene indicata come la nonna.
Il romanzo oscilla tra il realismo magico e (in maniera meno prevalente) il romanzo storico: vengono riportati alcuni fatti che consentono di datare le vicende (il passaggio della cometa di Halley nel 1910, la Prima guerra mondiale con la caduta dell’Impero ottomano, la Seconda guerra mondiale e, alla fine di questa, l’intensificarsi degli scontri tra ebrei e arabi) ma senza andare oltre la citazione e approfondire le relazioni tra tali eventi e i cambiamenti nel contesto sociale in cui vivono le protagoniste, nonostante la profonda influenza sulle loro vite. Vengono anche citati personaggi storici e fatti di cronaca, ma tutto alla fine è slegato e poco integrato nella narrazione.
Il romanzo oscilla tra il realismo magico e (in maniera meno prevalente) il romanzo storico: vengono riportati alcuni fatti che consentono di datare le vicende (il passaggio della cometa di Halley nel 1910, la Prima guerra mondiale con la caduta dell’Impero ottomano, la Seconda guerra mondiale e, alla fine di questa, l’intensificarsi degli scontri tra ebrei e arabi) ma senza andare oltre la citazione e approfondire le relazioni tra tali eventi e i cambiamenti nel contesto sociale in cui vivono le protagoniste, nonostante la profonda influenza sulle loro vite. Vengono anche citati personaggi storici e fatti di cronaca, ma tutto alla fine è slegato e poco integrato nella narrazione.
January 20, 2021
Reminiscent of books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Isabelle Allende, the writing was perfect for telling this multi-generational tale of a woman on a quest to discover the unknown identity of her father.
This book checked off all my likes, i.e., magical realism, generational story, mystery, and strong women ... but, when all was said and done, I must admit I found it somewhat confusing. So many characters I needed a list to keep them straight. However, I've already decided to read it again as I feel now, knowing the characters, I may be able to keep them straight? We shall see ...
I cannot comment, as many have, on the cultural accuracy of the religions portrayed. I simply accepted what was written as fact, since that part of the story only provided a backdrop to what was really going on.
I enjoyed Horn's writing immensely although my (Kindle) reader had serious programming issues with odd spacing and indiscriminate paragraph jumps in the middle of sentences. Additionally, there were numerous spelling and punctuation errors that any editor would have caught.
If this type of literature is your cup of tea, I think you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
This book checked off all my likes, i.e., magical realism, generational story, mystery, and strong women ... but, when all was said and done, I must admit I found it somewhat confusing. So many characters I needed a list to keep them straight. However, I've already decided to read it again as I feel now, knowing the characters, I may be able to keep them straight? We shall see ...
I cannot comment, as many have, on the cultural accuracy of the religions portrayed. I simply accepted what was written as fact, since that part of the story only provided a backdrop to what was really going on.
I enjoyed Horn's writing immensely although my (Kindle) reader had serious programming issues with odd spacing and indiscriminate paragraph jumps in the middle of sentences. Additionally, there were numerous spelling and punctuation errors that any editor would have caught.
If this type of literature is your cup of tea, I think you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
September 7, 2019
Probably broke my personal record for “slowest read ever”. This book was only 270 pages and it took me weeks to get through it. I thought the descriptive writing style was tedious and the story never picked up pace. I browsed through the last 50 pages, so I don’t know how it finished, but as nothing major happened throughout the book, I don’t think I missed out.
Four or five generations of women are cursed that their husbands leave them around the time their baby is born. That is the summary of the plot. The author tries to be over descriptive and poetic, but adds to many cliches. It felt like she was trying to write a book for the purpose of it being discussed in book clubs (“oh those poor women and the cultural background of inequality, but look at home female sisterhood saves the day”). The style felt very artificial and too cliche. Not my favorite book.
Four or five generations of women are cursed that their husbands leave them around the time their baby is born. That is the summary of the plot. The author tries to be over descriptive and poetic, but adds to many cliches. It felt like she was trying to write a book for the purpose of it being discussed in book clubs (“oh those poor women and the cultural background of inequality, but look at home female sisterhood saves the day”). The style felt very artificial and too cliche. Not my favorite book.
May 11, 2023
No, ma aggiungiamo l'ennesima descrizione dei seni di una donna e della sua bellezza stravolgente, con capelli biondi, occhi azzurri e glutei sodi.
Il continuo riferimento ai fluidi corporei, dopo un po', da alla nausea.
L'ennesimo cliché di donne forte ed indipendenti che dipingono gli uomini come buoni a nulla, frivoli, superficiali e infedeli (quando è ben evidente come sarebbe la morale di Sarah da metter sotto ispezione). Troppo sesso, troppo cibo, troppo tutto.
Scritto in modo scorrevole, si finisce in pochi giorni (impegni permettendo), ma ti lascia indifferente. Quando ho finito l'ultima riga mi sono detta: embè? Chi sia il padre di Amal è abbastanza prevedibile.
Il continuo riferimento ai fluidi corporei, dopo un po', da alla nausea.
L'ennesimo cliché di donne forte ed indipendenti che dipingono gli uomini come buoni a nulla, frivoli, superficiali e infedeli (quando è ben evidente come sarebbe la morale di Sarah da metter sotto ispezione). Troppo sesso, troppo cibo, troppo tutto.
Scritto in modo scorrevole, si finisce in pochi giorni (impegni permettendo), ma ti lascia indifferente. Quando ho finito l'ultima riga mi sono detta: embè? Chi sia il padre di Amal è abbastanza prevedibile.
November 7, 2018
“Quattro madri” è un bel romanzo famigliare epico, che abbraccia quasi un secolo della storia di Israele, dove si muovono donne sorprendenti che mai si perdono d’animo, capaci di reinventarsi in continuazione e di rialzarsi dopo ogni caduta. Un libro ricco di personalità, di forza femminile. Una scrittura viva e piacevole. La figura femminile di grande rilievo è Sarah, donna di eccezionale bellezza e di grande saggezza. Attorno a lei si muovono tutte le altre figure femminili, i riti e i costumi ebraici.
February 13, 2021
Saga famigliare e letteratura israeliana, per me un connubio quanto mai felice.
Il romanzo racconta le vicissitudini di 4 generazioni di donne, lasciando volutamente da parte gli uomini che diventano quasi un accessorio all'interno della narrazione. Tutte queste donne sono accomunate infatti da una maledizione: tutti gli uomini della loro vita spariscono, muoiono, le abbandonano. Finché l'ultima di loro partorisce un figlio maschio, sano e forte, che finalmente spezza la maledizione.
L'atmosfera a tratti mi ha ricordato quella dei romanzi di Garcia Marquez, dove la realtà si mescola alla magia, e ben si fonde con le tradizioni della cultura ebraica.
Il romanzo racconta le vicissitudini di 4 generazioni di donne, lasciando volutamente da parte gli uomini che diventano quasi un accessorio all'interno della narrazione. Tutte queste donne sono accomunate infatti da una maledizione: tutti gli uomini della loro vita spariscono, muoiono, le abbandonano. Finché l'ultima di loro partorisce un figlio maschio, sano e forte, che finalmente spezza la maledizione.
L'atmosfera a tratti mi ha ricordato quella dei romanzi di Garcia Marquez, dove la realtà si mescola alla magia, e ben si fonde con le tradizioni della cultura ebraica.
January 20, 2025
An intergenerational matriarch story. A great granddaughter attempts to discover who her father is by delving into the histories of the matriarchs in the family. By structuring the novel this way, Horn leads us through some points in Israeli/Jewish history.
Stuff happens but nothing really happened.
Didn't like the disability characterization but also reflects attitudes in the early 1900s Jerusalem. Slow beginning, interesting middle, prolonged ending. Magical realism is present which gave this story a dreamlike quality. However, it was overtly sensual and sexual - trying too hard.
Stuff happens but nothing really happened.
Didn't like the disability characterization but also reflects attitudes in the early 1900s Jerusalem. Slow beginning, interesting middle, prolonged ending. Magical realism is present which gave this story a dreamlike quality. However, it was overtly sensual and sexual - trying too hard.
September 20, 2020
I found this book for $3 at a dollar store, it was well worth the price. This book told of a "Curse" put upon Mazel as when her husband left, she and her "friend" joined together to raise her beautiful daughter. What follows is an interesting story of strong women handed down each generation.
I was a bit confused about Geula's story, we didn't get to spend much time knowing her. But the other characters were interesting and the bad luck! Jezz, what a bad hand to be dealt!
I was a bit confused about Geula's story, we didn't get to spend much time knowing her. But the other characters were interesting and the bad luck! Jezz, what a bad hand to be dealt!
January 4, 2020
הסיפור המרכזי של שרה וכמה סצנות בסיפור היו מרתקות: בר המיצווה של יצחק העלה דמעות בעיניי, מות גאולה (הראשונה). לאכזבתי היו גם נפילות רבות בעלילה וחזרה על חומר. שמענו על הוורדים יותר מדי, שדיים ניגרים וכו. לא הסכמתי לגמרי עם הביקורת של K. דמויות הנשים לא שונאות גברים, הגברים חשובים בסיפור אבל הנשים עצמאיות.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2023
Per amanti del genere “Ragazze povere ma intelligenti, senza educazione formale, vivono vite improbabili. Menarca, deflorazioni, stupri, e incesti”. Praticamente un capitolo dell’Amica Geniale a Gerusalemme.
Letto causa insonnia.
Letto causa insonnia.
August 29, 2023
Seems like an imitation of magical realism, too forced. I wanted more depth to the characters. The most interesting aspect to me was the historical inlet to Jerusalem over the decades. I kept reading to see how the author would present today's Jerusalem. Little tidbits yes, but unsatisfying.
Read
October 20, 2023I am really not sure what I thought of this book. I don’t think I can even rate it. I found it a little confusing for some reason, keeping track of everyone. I’m not sure I would read this author again.
April 7, 2024
L’Allende trasposta nel Medio-Oriente: cinque generazioni di donne, realismo magico, storia, tradizioni e cultura. Alcuni passaggi si potevano evitare (descrizioni un po’ “finte”), ma nel complesso intrattiene e convince.
August 19, 2017
Loved this book, such an enjoyable read.
Loved how the author would almost transport you to Isarel and the time. How deep love can grow in some and shallow in others.
Loved how the author would almost transport you to Isarel and the time. How deep love can grow in some and shallow in others.
June 14, 2018
Recensione il 21 giugno su www.lalettricecontrocorrente.it
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