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Becoming Becca Solomon: A Heart-Wrenching Novel of Love and Forgiveness
Can a daughter ever truly be free of her mother’s shadow?
1947, Lower Manhattan. Becca Rivkin is tired of being a “nice Jewish girl.” At fifteen, she becomes the sole provider of her ultra-Orthodox Jewish family, yet nothing is good enough for her abusive mother, Frieda. Trapped in an endless cycle of pain and neglect, Becca feels hopeless about her future. Abandoned by her father and ignored by her siblings, she finds solace in her older brother. Yet everything changes the day he is killed in a tragic shooting.
As her world is turned upside down, Becca is desperate to escape her mother’s oppression. To Frieda’s dismay, she leaves home to marry David Solomon, a secular WWII veteran dealing with his own trauma. But when David turns violent, Becca fears her dark past is back to haunt her.
Becca knows that sticking to the familiar isn’t always safe. But is she ready to risk losing the only life she knows? Or will she gather the broken pieces of her life and build something new for herself?
Becoming Becca Solomon is a poignant exploration of a courageous woman’s pursuit of self-fulfillment and liberation from the strict traditions and rigid community of her upbringing.
1947, Lower Manhattan. Becca Rivkin is tired of being a “nice Jewish girl.” At fifteen, she becomes the sole provider of her ultra-Orthodox Jewish family, yet nothing is good enough for her abusive mother, Frieda. Trapped in an endless cycle of pain and neglect, Becca feels hopeless about her future. Abandoned by her father and ignored by her siblings, she finds solace in her older brother. Yet everything changes the day he is killed in a tragic shooting.
As her world is turned upside down, Becca is desperate to escape her mother’s oppression. To Frieda’s dismay, she leaves home to marry David Solomon, a secular WWII veteran dealing with his own trauma. But when David turns violent, Becca fears her dark past is back to haunt her.
Becca knows that sticking to the familiar isn’t always safe. But is she ready to risk losing the only life she knows? Or will she gather the broken pieces of her life and build something new for herself?
Becoming Becca Solomon is a poignant exploration of a courageous woman’s pursuit of self-fulfillment and liberation from the strict traditions and rigid community of her upbringing.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2024
96 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 4, 2024
/A Difficult Book
This book was difficult in many ways, especially in the beginning. Rebecca, or Becca, is the middle daughter in a Jewish family living in a down-and-out section of New York City. For some reason, her mother is abusive towards her and only her, letting Rachel, the oldest daughter, and Judy, the younger one, get away with whatever. Becca must do all the household chores and is hit by her mother's fists and verbally abused if she doesn't, even though her mother doesn't work outside the home. At 16, She is pulled out of high school even though she wants to continue on and become a teacher, and sent to work at a law firm. She must also attend secretarial school at night. At the law firm, she makes friends, and one day one of her friends entices her to go along to a dance at a local officers' club. There she meets David, an Army captain who is there but not really enjoying the scene either. They talk and he ends up taking her home. A courtship ensues and they end up marrying, although David is a secular Jew and Becca comes from a religious Orthodox home. Of course her mother hates David and objects to the marriage, but Becca stands firm. There are difficulties, as David is possessive and controlling, but he does love Becca. Becca becomes pregnant and David is sent to Korea, but but Becca has, in the meantime, forged a close friendship with her upstairs neighbor Ella, who helps her through the pregnancy. When David returns, he is wounded and is different, darker. Becca struggles to understand, and it all comes to a head one night after they have an argument and he hits her and she falls, breaking her arm. At last, he breaks down and tells her about the horrors he saw in WWII and Korea, and she realizes he is suffering from PTSD (although they don't call it that back then). The rest of the book revolves around the topics of growth and forgiveness. Without revealing any spoilers, I will say that love triumphs and Becca comes out on top, but it's not an easy book to read.
This book was difficult in many ways, especially in the beginning. Rebecca, or Becca, is the middle daughter in a Jewish family living in a down-and-out section of New York City. For some reason, her mother is abusive towards her and only her, letting Rachel, the oldest daughter, and Judy, the younger one, get away with whatever. Becca must do all the household chores and is hit by her mother's fists and verbally abused if she doesn't, even though her mother doesn't work outside the home. At 16, She is pulled out of high school even though she wants to continue on and become a teacher, and sent to work at a law firm. She must also attend secretarial school at night. At the law firm, she makes friends, and one day one of her friends entices her to go along to a dance at a local officers' club. There she meets David, an Army captain who is there but not really enjoying the scene either. They talk and he ends up taking her home. A courtship ensues and they end up marrying, although David is a secular Jew and Becca comes from a religious Orthodox home. Of course her mother hates David and objects to the marriage, but Becca stands firm. There are difficulties, as David is possessive and controlling, but he does love Becca. Becca becomes pregnant and David is sent to Korea, but but Becca has, in the meantime, forged a close friendship with her upstairs neighbor Ella, who helps her through the pregnancy. When David returns, he is wounded and is different, darker. Becca struggles to understand, and it all comes to a head one night after they have an argument and he hits her and she falls, breaking her arm. At last, he breaks down and tells her about the horrors he saw in WWII and Korea, and she realizes he is suffering from PTSD (although they don't call it that back then). The rest of the book revolves around the topics of growth and forgiveness. Without revealing any spoilers, I will say that love triumphs and Becca comes out on top, but it's not an easy book to read.
December 20, 2024
It was okay. Prose was mostly engaging. Seems to be a self published book, and good for the author, but lacks some expert editing (although I find that lacking in many more formally published books as well.)
First chapter, 1947, Becca’s sister doesn’t hear her because she is wearing headphones. There were no headphones in 1947, and nothing to plug them into. Chapter 4, she would nor be doing laundry on Saturday in a religious home. In 1966 people used bar soap, not shower gel.
There are many inconsistencies in this book, including some use of 21st century language and terminology in a 1940s, 1950s and 1960s story. Also, for a supposed orthodox home, there isn’t a case of any particular religious or cultural practice other than the mother attending synagogue. Doesn’t even seem like she ever took her children with her. It was the mother’s private observance as far as the reader can tell.
First chapter, 1947, Becca’s sister doesn’t hear her because she is wearing headphones. There were no headphones in 1947, and nothing to plug them into. Chapter 4, she would nor be doing laundry on Saturday in a religious home. In 1966 people used bar soap, not shower gel.
There are many inconsistencies in this book, including some use of 21st century language and terminology in a 1940s, 1950s and 1960s story. Also, for a supposed orthodox home, there isn’t a case of any particular religious or cultural practice other than the mother attending synagogue. Doesn’t even seem like she ever took her children with her. It was the mother’s private observance as far as the reader can tell.
November 25, 2024
Ok story, needs editing
Story was ok but I was distracted by the many typos and misspellings, characters ' names changing ( Mikey/Mickey, Olivia/Amy, Rebecca/Rebbeca, Friedl/Friedel), sophisticated vocabulary used by uneducated people, British idioms (mates, you lot) used by American, etc.
Story was ok but I was distracted by the many typos and misspellings, characters ' names changing ( Mikey/Mickey, Olivia/Amy, Rebecca/Rebbeca, Friedl/Friedel), sophisticated vocabulary used by uneducated people, British idioms (mates, you lot) used by American, etc.
December 22, 2024
Navigating the Complexities of Love and Forgiveness...
Dahlia Moore's "Becoming Becca Solomon" is a moving portrayal of one woman's difficult path to self-determination and liberty. Set amid the harsh backdrop of 1940s Lower Manhattan, the story follows Becca Rivkin, a young girl oppressed by her abusive, ultra-Orthodox Jewish mother.
Abandoned by her father and siblings, Becca finds refuge in the momentary friendship of her elder brother, until his terrible death sparks her frantic escape. Becca, yearning for a life beyond the limits of her upbringing, marries the seemingly compassionate David Solomon, a WWII veteran dealing with his own personal scars. However, as David's violent inclinations gradually emerge, Becca is forced to confront the horrific shadows of her past once more.
Moore's exceptional storytelling prowess explores the complex web of familial connections, the lasting suffering that shapes lives, and the resolute fortitude of the human psyche in challenging contexts. The film "Becoming Becca Solomon" is a moving homage to the significant influence of self-exploration, the courage to shape one's own destiny, and the potential for atonement through love and forgiveness. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Dahlia Moore's "Becoming Becca Solomon" is a moving portrayal of one woman's difficult path to self-determination and liberty. Set amid the harsh backdrop of 1940s Lower Manhattan, the story follows Becca Rivkin, a young girl oppressed by her abusive, ultra-Orthodox Jewish mother.
Abandoned by her father and siblings, Becca finds refuge in the momentary friendship of her elder brother, until his terrible death sparks her frantic escape. Becca, yearning for a life beyond the limits of her upbringing, marries the seemingly compassionate David Solomon, a WWII veteran dealing with his own personal scars. However, as David's violent inclinations gradually emerge, Becca is forced to confront the horrific shadows of her past once more.
Moore's exceptional storytelling prowess explores the complex web of familial connections, the lasting suffering that shapes lives, and the resolute fortitude of the human psyche in challenging contexts. The film "Becoming Becca Solomon" is a moving homage to the significant influence of self-exploration, the courage to shape one's own destiny, and the potential for atonement through love and forgiveness. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
April 2, 2025
EDITED REVIEW: After thinking about this book, it hurts me, but I have to go from 3 to 2 stars. The concept of the story is good, and something many Jewish families can identify with. But in the end it just got to be too much. Forgiveness is hard, and I view it as an act of bravery. But in the end I just could not take it anymore. The errors, the changing names, the slow pace of the story. With good editing, this book could easily be a 4 star book. As it stands now, I could not recommend it to anyone.
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Someone needs to tell the editor of this book that there is a big difference between American English and UK English. American's have apartments not flats. UK has mates not friends. AE has carriages not prams. UK calls people "Love" Americans do not.
Aside from these differences, the editing, in general is bad. Misspelled words, names spelled different ways. It's all very distracting.
The saving grace of this book is Becca. I found her endearing and likeable. I rooted for her all the way.
Becca, plus a few of her friends, are the reason I am giving this book 3 stars. Otherwise it would have likely been a DNF
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Someone needs to tell the editor of this book that there is a big difference between American English and UK English. American's have apartments not flats. UK has mates not friends. AE has carriages not prams. UK calls people "Love" Americans do not.
Aside from these differences, the editing, in general is bad. Misspelled words, names spelled different ways. It's all very distracting.
The saving grace of this book is Becca. I found her endearing and likeable. I rooted for her all the way.
Becca, plus a few of her friends, are the reason I am giving this book 3 stars. Otherwise it would have likely been a DNF
January 14, 2025
This was overall not an easy read. The multi generational dysfunctional family was very complex. Mother/Daughter relationships are often complex and lay the foundation for the future. This was no exception and was written about in great detail. The Matriarch of the family was a very difficult and unhappy person. She brought tremendous baggage to the table- but was never able to reconcile her own childhood, causing lifelong heartache to many people and the inability
to enhance the life of her children. The boy’s stories were secondary and just added more unhappiness to the overall picture. The stories of
the three daughters were detailed and compelling. While not an uplifting story, I was able to accept the daughters made the best of their collective and individual situations. Their ability to choose good spouses was not easy. They made the best of their individual situations and intimately were able to reach a certain level of forgiveness.
to enhance the life of her children. The boy’s stories were secondary and just added more unhappiness to the overall picture. The stories of
the three daughters were detailed and compelling. While not an uplifting story, I was able to accept the daughters made the best of their collective and individual situations. Their ability to choose good spouses was not easy. They made the best of their individual situations and intimately were able to reach a certain level of forgiveness.
December 10, 2024
An excellent read! The type of book you can read more than once.
The emotional up and downs of this book was heart wrenching and stirred up so many different feelings. Yet, the ending bought peace and tranquillity. Truly a life lesson for all confronted with the up and downs of this world. As Tom Hanks would say, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get.”
The emotional up and downs of this book was heart wrenching and stirred up so many different feelings. Yet, the ending bought peace and tranquillity. Truly a life lesson for all confronted with the up and downs of this world. As Tom Hanks would say, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get.”
May 3, 2025
*2.5
My grandma recommended this to me - sweet story I guess but I really didn’t like the writing style. The dialogue felt so unrealistic and it jumped between scenes abruptly and there was no room for nuance or interpretation because of how everything was blatantly spelled out.
My grandma recommended this to me - sweet story I guess but I really didn’t like the writing style. The dialogue felt so unrealistic and it jumped between scenes abruptly and there was no room for nuance or interpretation because of how everything was blatantly spelled out.
October 30, 2024
All I can say it that it's over. Would not recommend. Just goes on and on. Skimmed the last 75 pages
November 2, 2024
should be listed as Juvenile reading
January 12, 2025
I loved this book. Was really impressed with the crisp clear writing and character development. Could be a gold mine for an appropriate book group.
March 11, 2025
Interesting family dynamics
I enjoyed getting to know the characters. It's interesting how some things are taken more seriously and how other that aren't much better.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters. It's interesting how some things are taken more seriously and how other that aren't much better.
May 22, 2025
DNF. couldn’t get past the juvenile prose
October 4, 2025
Picked this up randomly from the library and it was an amazing book. The characters were developed so well and the story was heart wrenching and painful.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews