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Holy Shift: A Love Story in Code
Not yet published
Expected 6 Apr 27As a computer scientist, she knows how to debug software, but her own heart? That’s another story!
Chana-Malka lives by the ones dictated by her Orthodox Jewish upbringing, and the ones she writes as a computer scientist. She can debug software, but when it comes to forbidden desires, family expectations, and the chaos of her own heart, she’s stuck in an infinite loop. She dates Mr. safe, steady, and mother approved. But can’t stop wanting Dr. brilliant, bizarre, and inexplicably magnetic. Meanwhile, Yitzy, her lifelong coach of a father and Sophie, her built-in surveillance system of a mother, seem to have a direct line to God and all her business. When Chana-Malka’s worlds collide, sex doesn’t liberate her. Religion doesn’t protect her. AI doesn’t save her. Family doesn’t rescue her. With humor, heart, and a whole lot of chaos, Chana-Malka must learn how to write her own code. Because some crashes aren’t just inevitable—they’re transformative.
Chana-Malka lives by the ones dictated by her Orthodox Jewish upbringing, and the ones she writes as a computer scientist. She can debug software, but when it comes to forbidden desires, family expectations, and the chaos of her own heart, she’s stuck in an infinite loop. She dates Mr. safe, steady, and mother approved. But can’t stop wanting Dr. brilliant, bizarre, and inexplicably magnetic. Meanwhile, Yitzy, her lifelong coach of a father and Sophie, her built-in surveillance system of a mother, seem to have a direct line to God and all her business. When Chana-Malka’s worlds collide, sex doesn’t liberate her. Religion doesn’t protect her. AI doesn’t save her. Family doesn’t rescue her. With humor, heart, and a whole lot of chaos, Chana-Malka must learn how to write her own code. Because some crashes aren’t just inevitable—they’re transformative.
Paperback
Expected publication April 6, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
FIVE HUGE STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holy Shift portrays the struggle of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman navigating two vastly different worlds and the complexities of holding multiple truths. By turns funny and tragic, Monheit’s voice is undeniably compelling as she explores the meaning of selfhood. Good literature transforms its characters, but great literature transforms its readers—and I am forever changed for having read this book.
Holy Shift portrays the struggle of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman navigating two vastly different worlds and the complexities of holding multiple truths. By turns funny and tragic, Monheit’s voice is undeniably compelling as she explores the meaning of selfhood. Good literature transforms its characters, but great literature transforms its readers—and I am forever changed for having read this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This feels painfully slow. We don't actually start to get to what's described in the synopsis until almost `1/3 of the way through. Additionally, there is no indication that this is historical until the beginning of part 2, at around 25%, which just makes the start unnecessarily confusing? I assumed the book took place in the present day, since there was no indication otherwise, which makes everything seem wildly outdated and backwards. As a Jewish reader, the framing makes the whole first quarter feel icky.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews