Chains Around the Grass

by Naomi Ragen

Set in the 1950's in New York City, CHAINS AROUND THE GRASS is a portrait of a Jewish-American family that glows with affection, tenderness, and courage when tragedy changes the lives of all who are left behind. A passionately personal and heartfelt book, based heavily on autobiographical material, this is the book Ms. Ragen says that she became an author to write. Sara is barely six years old when her beloved father unexpectedly vanishes from her life. Her mother, Ruth, a dreamy and reluctant housewife, is now left with three small children to bring up, and the knowledge that she will somehow have to pick up the pieces, if she is to survive and fend for the family. But Sara takes up a vigil at the window of their dismal apartment, refusing to accept that her father won't be coming back. "She thought of herself as a lighthouse keeper, a watchman on guard, a sailor on the topmost rigging, scouting for land. It was her duty to be there when the magic moment happened as it surely must, for no other explanation made any sense. She scouted the men passing by, searching for those of a certain height, a certain weight, a certain walk... She followed each with hope until he turned right instead of left or left instead of right, or drew close enough to prove too tall or too short, too thin or two heavy. And each disappointment chipped away at her hope, reducing it, but never actually killing it. Like a plant cut to the ground, the roots sent up foolish new growth that twined around the facts, embellishing them, giving them something akin to beauty." To this bittersweet and moving tale of childhood and the loss of innocence, the author brings the added intensity of a personal memoir. This is Naomi Ragen at her best, her writing charged with a searing, emotional truth as she unravels a tale of childhood, betrayal and the unending resilience of family love.

Genres: Fiction, Jewish, Judaism

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Naomi Ragen is an American-born novelist and playwright who has lived in Jerusalem since 1971. She has published seven internationally best-selling novels, and is the author of a hit play. Naomi also publishes a regular column that deals with Jewish subjects, especially Israel.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/naomir...

Reviews

[Debbie Shoulders]

This is one family’s immigrant story - not a fairy tale but a realistic view of trying to make in the the land of opportunities. Dave Markowitz and his wife Ruth set out to make their fortune moving from the tiny brownstones of Brooklyn, on to Jersey, and then to brand new tenements in Far Rockaway. While the dream seemed right in reach, trust issues bring about Dave’s downfall. His reluctant wife tried to take on the role of head of household but her talents for this were limited. Ultimately teen son, Jesse takes on that role. Observing quietly in the background is Sarah, a young girl who learns that faith is what will eventually give the family hope and success.

[Amy]

Growing up in Rockaway Beach and being familiar with the projects in Far Rockaway as well as the Five Towns' Yeshivas, I thought this book was very interesting.

[Michael]

Dave Markowitz is the proud father of three children, who seek his family approval in tough times. He dearly love them with his whole heart, and he wants to provide to them the necessities that they need for life and the wisdom they need during hard times. He is married to Ruth who he cherishes, but their relationship often in hindered by their differences in opinion on how to raise a family. When Dave suddenly vanishes, Sara is heartbroken and distressed, because she can`t spend quality time with her dad. Jesse who is the oldest child have to be the father figure to his family, while his mother tries to cop with loss and the steps she has to take to repair her family. The loss of innocence, tranquil and solitude, this book tells a remarkable story about family, love and self discipline.

[Susan]

The author links the Jewish belief that a child w/o a father is considered an orphan and therefore must be taken care of to the story of one girl who struggles in the projects of NY and finds peace through her religion. I don't know if there is a connection to the author herself which seems to be a repeated story of a girl that looses her father, Sacrifice of Tamar, and gets help for education and funding through her rabbi but it gives a good view of NY during the 50's and how one girl survives all hardship. Not as great as Jepte's Daughter, Sotah, and The Saturday Wife, but still a good book.

[Lorri]

Chains Around the Grass, by Naomi Ragen is a novel that is about family dynamics, expectations, resilience and so much more.

David Markowitz is a Jew who has done what so many other Jews have done in the past, given up his Jewish identity and assimilated into the folds of America. He changed his son’s surname to Marks. He has high hopes of making it big in a world filled with schemers and dreamers.

Many may not like Chains Around the Grass, due to its slowness and/or often depressive content. I felt that the characters could have had more depth, even within their repressive environment.

[Lisa DeViney]

I love Naomi Ragen, so I loved this book. It's a portrait of a 1st generation Jewish family living in the projects in Far Rockaway, Brooklyn, during the 50s. The family is separated from the Jewish community by poverty, distance, and disparity in ambitions. The book gripped me about halfway through, when the family reaches a turning point and crisis resulting from loss of their patriarch. Not Ragen's standard fare... Very enjoyable.

[Penny Sklove]

I just can't resist Naomi Regan. This book was very different from her other books. I enjoyed it because it felt as though I was right there living in the projects with Ruth and her family, facing every hardship imaginable.

[Rina]

Not a big fan of Naomi Ragen but this book was a very good read. Not only about family but about each one and their thinking and not showing how they feel; very real. i have said many times that communication is the key but it rarely happens.

[Barbara Hollander]

Sad but enlightening tale with surprise ending

[Pamk]

Enjoyed this book about growing up Jewish in the 1950's and the author eloquently tells of the stresses and emotions of that era and dealing with family problems.

[Sherry]

A little different for a Naomi Ragen book - it took place in a city project -

[Heather]

This was a very sad and depressing book. Now I need something upbeat to read!!

[Louise Bodack]

find this book rather depressing. I am glad I am finished.

[Hermien]

This is very different from Naomi Ragen's usual style, a lot more serious and realistic. It is said to be semi-autobiographical and it certainly rings a lot more true than some of her other books.

[Emma Sass]

Felt like it was a bit of a therapy for the author on losing her father so young. But that gave it more reality. Well-written but not much of a story.

[Miriam]

Well written, but depressing content at times, but that's life!

[Sue]

Although this is a novel, I understand it is heavily autobiographical, so I'm including it as a "memoir."

[Bluma Schneider]

Enjoyed it very much. Poignant. Very real scenario. Portrayed the characters very well. Will go on to read her other books. bln

[Diane]

I am a Ragen fan except for this one. I found it tedious and the characters annoying and unlikeable.

[Janet]

An easy read. A great story about a Jewish family trying to make ends meet in the 1950's. This is Ragen's personal memoir, a coming-of-age story.

[Delia Gersh]

boring. Couldn't help looking at published date (1995).Outdated

[Natalie]

Semi-Autobiographical about the author. Loved it, related to it due to location, Far Rockaway, New York.

[Carleen]

I have always enjoyed Naomi Ragen as a historian and storyteller. Chains Around the Grass, is a wonderful story about a family living in the projects; trying to keep their family together through poverty and adversity. Their sense of love and faith proved difficult at times, but prevailed in the end; giving the remaing family members hope for the future.

[Sharon]

I was very moved by some of the characters and some of the writing, but other parts dragged and/or seemed full of stereotypes. This is, in some ways, my family's story (the Jewish immigrant experience) which makes it more interesting I would give it a 3.5 if I could

[Julie]

I wanted to read more books by Naomi Ragen after re-reading Jephte's Daughter recently. This was the only one available from my library. And I found it rather pointless. She is a good writer, but it just didn't go anywhere.

[Erwin Kolodny]

Unlike Ragen’s other books, this one is slow and predictable

[Beth Stromberg]

Usually like her books, but found this one to be choppy. Not one of my favorite.

[Erin Althaus]

This book was good but it needs to be proofread and edited. There were lots of typos in the Kindle version which made it hard to follow along at times. The story was good though.

[Michelle Peterson]

She Never disappoints. Loved this!

[Melissa]

Amazing book. Reminded me of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, but with a Jewish family!