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A Breath She Took
A sudden separation prompts a young woman to unveil a family mystery
Her father disappeared when she was only 10 years old. The strange circumstances of his disappearance left her, her mother and sister to struggle on their own with what was left of their home. She finds herself stuck between the two of them in a bitter-sweet and sometimes funny symphony.
Thirty years later she is an attractive, successful researcher but deep within her, she is still the overweight, rejected child. When her husband announces that he wants to separate, she discovers the lie behind the life she has tried to build for herself and decides to act. In a brave journey of discovery she opens up the mystery of her past, and for the first time confronts her secretive mother and escapist sister. What are they hiding from her? Who was her father and will she be able to rediscover herself and build a life without lies?
Her father disappeared when she was only 10 years old. The strange circumstances of his disappearance left her, her mother and sister to struggle on their own with what was left of their home. She finds herself stuck between the two of them in a bitter-sweet and sometimes funny symphony.
Thirty years later she is an attractive, successful researcher but deep within her, she is still the overweight, rejected child. When her husband announces that he wants to separate, she discovers the lie behind the life she has tried to build for herself and decides to act. In a brave journey of discovery she opens up the mystery of her past, and for the first time confronts her secretive mother and escapist sister. What are they hiding from her? Who was her father and will she be able to rediscover herself and build a life without lies?
- GenresContemporary
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 24, 2018
http://pebbleinthestillwaters.com/a-b...
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a matter of choice - A Breath She Took by Ilan Amit - Book Review #BookReview
A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit is about an internal transformation. 23 chapters and 158 pages tell you a tale in a very different manner. It might change your perspectives on life. This is a fascinating story of a young girl trying to run away from her home umpteen times. During this course of action, she never realizes when she becomes an adult. All of a sudden she realizes that now it is not merely a matter of paining muscles, shortening of breath, aching limbs, and profuse sweating because of continuous running for so many years, it is a matter of new discovery. Something more than all this that she is facing for years. She discovers she can fly instead. She realizes a new strength within. This is something that happens quite rarely.
The beginning of A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit is quite immersive and curiosity generating. It is powerful enough to grab your attention right from the first page itself. When roots of a tree start lifting the sidewalk bricks, it becomes necessary to take an immediate action. Probably cutting down the tree is the best option. Uprooting it completely comes as the only option in the mind at the first instance. Is it possible to attain the goal just by trimming it a little? Absolutely, this is not the story of a tree. But what if similar kind of situation arises in one's life? The aggressive amputation results into just a surviving trunk to observe its own downfall. But everything doesn't happen as you think or wish in life.
What if a few weeks later you notice a little bud appearing on one of the stumps? Is it a moment of happiness or an occasion to cry? After spending so many years together Yaron wants them to split up. She has a childhood habit. When she's hurt, she smiles. As if by squeezing her cheek muscles, she tries to block her tear glands. Such is the intensity of the engrossing story of A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit. Her name is Inbal. She had to leave her house when she was only 10. And then after living together with her husband Yaron, he one fine day wants them to split. Life has been so cruel to her in every instance. It is fascinating to read how she comes out of it. Bravely.
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a matter of choice - A Breath She Took by Ilan Amit - Book Review #BookReview
A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit is about an internal transformation. 23 chapters and 158 pages tell you a tale in a very different manner. It might change your perspectives on life. This is a fascinating story of a young girl trying to run away from her home umpteen times. During this course of action, she never realizes when she becomes an adult. All of a sudden she realizes that now it is not merely a matter of paining muscles, shortening of breath, aching limbs, and profuse sweating because of continuous running for so many years, it is a matter of new discovery. Something more than all this that she is facing for years. She discovers she can fly instead. She realizes a new strength within. This is something that happens quite rarely.
The beginning of A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit is quite immersive and curiosity generating. It is powerful enough to grab your attention right from the first page itself. When roots of a tree start lifting the sidewalk bricks, it becomes necessary to take an immediate action. Probably cutting down the tree is the best option. Uprooting it completely comes as the only option in the mind at the first instance. Is it possible to attain the goal just by trimming it a little? Absolutely, this is not the story of a tree. But what if similar kind of situation arises in one's life? The aggressive amputation results into just a surviving trunk to observe its own downfall. But everything doesn't happen as you think or wish in life.
What if a few weeks later you notice a little bud appearing on one of the stumps? Is it a moment of happiness or an occasion to cry? After spending so many years together Yaron wants them to split up. She has a childhood habit. When she's hurt, she smiles. As if by squeezing her cheek muscles, she tries to block her tear glands. Such is the intensity of the engrossing story of A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit. Her name is Inbal. She had to leave her house when she was only 10. And then after living together with her husband Yaron, he one fine day wants them to split. Life has been so cruel to her in every instance. It is fascinating to read how she comes out of it. Bravely.
July 24, 2018
http://pebbleinthestillwaters.com/a-b...
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a matter of choice - A Breath She Took by Ilan Amit - Book Review #BookReview
A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit is about an internal transformation. 23 chapters and 158 pages tell you a tale in a very different manner. It might change your perspectives on life. This is a fascinating story of a young girl trying to run away from her home umpteen times. During this course of action, she never realizes when she becomes an adult. All of a sudden she realizes that now it is not merely a matter of paining muscles, shortening of breath, aching limbs, and profuse sweating because of continuous running for so many years, it is a matter of new discovery. Something more than all this that she is facing for years. She discovers she can fly instead. She realizes a new strength within. This is something that happens quite rarely.
The beginning of A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit is quite immersive and curiosity generating. It is powerful enough to grab your attention right from the first page itself. When roots of a tree start lifting the sidewalk bricks, it becomes necessary to take an immediate action. Probably cutting down the tree is the best option. Uprooting it completely comes as the only option in the mind at the first instance. Is it possible to attain the goal just by trimming it a little? Absolutely, this is not the story of a tree. But what if similar kind of situation arises in one's life? The aggressive amputation results into just a surviving trunk to observe its own downfall. But everything doesn't happen as you think or wish in life.
What if a few weeks later you notice a little bud appearing on one of the stumps? Is it a moment of happiness or an occasion to cry? After spending so many years together Yaron wants them to split up. She has a childhood habit. When she's hurt, she smiles. As if by squeezing her cheek muscles, she tries to block her tear glands. Such is the intensity of the engrossing story of A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit. Her name is Inbal. She had to leave her house when she was only 10. And then after living together with her husband Yaron, he one fine day wants them to split. Life has been so cruel to her in every instance. It is fascinating to read how she comes out of it. Bravely.
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a matter of choice - A Breath She Took by Ilan Amit - Book Review #BookReview
A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit is about an internal transformation. 23 chapters and 158 pages tell you a tale in a very different manner. It might change your perspectives on life. This is a fascinating story of a young girl trying to run away from her home umpteen times. During this course of action, she never realizes when she becomes an adult. All of a sudden she realizes that now it is not merely a matter of paining muscles, shortening of breath, aching limbs, and profuse sweating because of continuous running for so many years, it is a matter of new discovery. Something more than all this that she is facing for years. She discovers she can fly instead. She realizes a new strength within. This is something that happens quite rarely.
The beginning of A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit is quite immersive and curiosity generating. It is powerful enough to grab your attention right from the first page itself. When roots of a tree start lifting the sidewalk bricks, it becomes necessary to take an immediate action. Probably cutting down the tree is the best option. Uprooting it completely comes as the only option in the mind at the first instance. Is it possible to attain the goal just by trimming it a little? Absolutely, this is not the story of a tree. But what if similar kind of situation arises in one's life? The aggressive amputation results into just a surviving trunk to observe its own downfall. But everything doesn't happen as you think or wish in life.
What if a few weeks later you notice a little bud appearing on one of the stumps? Is it a moment of happiness or an occasion to cry? After spending so many years together Yaron wants them to split up. She has a childhood habit. When she's hurt, she smiles. As if by squeezing her cheek muscles, she tries to block her tear glands. Such is the intensity of the engrossing story of A Breath She Took: A Story About a Woman Confronting Her Dark Secrets and Meeting Her New Self by Ilan Amit. Her name is Inbal. She had to leave her house when she was only 10. And then after living together with her husband Yaron, he one fine day wants them to split. Life has been so cruel to her in every instance. It is fascinating to read how she comes out of it. Bravely.
July 19, 2018
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
In “A Breath She Took“, Inbal has struggled her entire life with coming to terms with her past. When she was ten years old, her father disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving her, her mother and her sister behind. Now, Inbal has put up walls all around her, to protect herself from the outside world.
When her husband declares he wants a seperation, the walls around Inbal collapse. Panicking, she runs outside, to the city, seemingly aimlessly running from the terrible truth. However, the run soon becomes a voyage, a trip down memory lane, as she tries to unveil the mystery of her father’s disappearance and comes to terms with the past.
This is a compelling, emotional read about the journey to discover one’s true self, to deal with one’s past, and become a stronger person. I found it very inspiring, and a solid read, but the only downside for me was the lack of action in the present – the journeys into the character’s past are interesting, but they don’t hold enough excitement for the “here and now”.
In “A Breath She Took“, Inbal has struggled her entire life with coming to terms with her past. When she was ten years old, her father disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving her, her mother and her sister behind. Now, Inbal has put up walls all around her, to protect herself from the outside world.
When her husband declares he wants a seperation, the walls around Inbal collapse. Panicking, she runs outside, to the city, seemingly aimlessly running from the terrible truth. However, the run soon becomes a voyage, a trip down memory lane, as she tries to unveil the mystery of her father’s disappearance and comes to terms with the past.
This is a compelling, emotional read about the journey to discover one’s true self, to deal with one’s past, and become a stronger person. I found it very inspiring, and a solid read, but the only downside for me was the lack of action in the present – the journeys into the character’s past are interesting, but they don’t hold enough excitement for the “here and now”.
July 1, 2018
A very compelling read, with a very fleshed-out main character who is trying to understand herself while intending to be what the world expects of her as a professional, a partner, a daughter...
A tense, grabbing story of self-discovery that will keep you reading non-stop until the end.
Very recommended.
A tense, grabbing story of self-discovery that will keep you reading non-stop until the end.
Very recommended.
August 13, 2018
Family or fantasy
I enjoyed the reading of this book. Although it skipped around a bit, it was easy to follow. The transitions made sense. Each chapter kept enticing me to read it, and one led to another and before I knew it the book was done. The writing flowed not unlike a good poem.
I enjoyed the reading of this book. Although it skipped around a bit, it was easy to follow. The transitions made sense. Each chapter kept enticing me to read it, and one led to another and before I knew it the book was done. The writing flowed not unlike a good poem.
April 25, 2019
This is the story of two sisters and how they have dealt with the things life has handed them as they grew up. They each deal with things differently, it makes for an interesting story.
August 27, 2018
I'm hard-pressed to give 2 stars. I didn't understand or like this chaotic story.
September 12, 2018
A Breath She Took by Ilan Amit is a novel about a woman who's reached a point of crisis in her life. From the outside Inbal looks like a successful, brilliant happily married woman. When her husband announces he wants a divorce the reader is pulled into her actions and thoughts and it quickly becomes clear she is nothing like the stable brilliant scientist the world perceives her being.
After her husband's announcement Inbal basically runs away without any thought about where she is going. As she gets lost in memories from the past as well as past mysteries the reader becomes aware of just how disturbingly unadjusted Inbal is.
Raised by a mother who seems to have nothing but contempt for her, with an older sister who is selfish and has no use for her and a loving father who mysteriously disappears Inbal becomes so shy and introverted she can barely function but hides it well. She shows every sign of what would be considered autistic. She can't function in society, doesn't understand social cues, can't express herself, has no friends because she doesn't know how to relate to people, is bothered by loud noises and doesn't know how to express her feelings.
In spite of all of this she's managed to become a brilliant scientist with a PhD, marry and hold down a demanding job. No matter where she is, who she's with or what she's doing she doesn't even understand herself. This quote from the book explains how she perceives herself. "I went into research due to inertia. That’s all. I’m better at understanding what I’m not than at defining myself positively in any way."
This would be a fantastic book club pick. Trying to understand Inbal is something worth discussing. There is a lot of meat to this book and figuring out when Inbal's life went completely off the tracks is tough. I kept wishing I could discuss the book with someone. Inbal is a conundrum. I'll be thinking about and questioning my interpretation of this book for a long time.
If you've read this far it should be obvious this is a novel with well developed characters and a well developed storyline. It isn't an easy read but it's a thought provoking one. I kept asking myself if it's possible for a person's upbringing to create personality and character flaws that appear to be autism or if Inbal was predisposed to be this way from birth.
I recommend this book. I would encourage people to read it as a buddy read or a book club pick simply because I had so many questions through the novel. If you can't find someone to read it with it is still a book that makes the reader examine how and why people become who they are.
After her husband's announcement Inbal basically runs away without any thought about where she is going. As she gets lost in memories from the past as well as past mysteries the reader becomes aware of just how disturbingly unadjusted Inbal is.
Raised by a mother who seems to have nothing but contempt for her, with an older sister who is selfish and has no use for her and a loving father who mysteriously disappears Inbal becomes so shy and introverted she can barely function but hides it well. She shows every sign of what would be considered autistic. She can't function in society, doesn't understand social cues, can't express herself, has no friends because she doesn't know how to relate to people, is bothered by loud noises and doesn't know how to express her feelings.
In spite of all of this she's managed to become a brilliant scientist with a PhD, marry and hold down a demanding job. No matter where she is, who she's with or what she's doing she doesn't even understand herself. This quote from the book explains how she perceives herself. "I went into research due to inertia. That’s all. I’m better at understanding what I’m not than at defining myself positively in any way."
This would be a fantastic book club pick. Trying to understand Inbal is something worth discussing. There is a lot of meat to this book and figuring out when Inbal's life went completely off the tracks is tough. I kept wishing I could discuss the book with someone. Inbal is a conundrum. I'll be thinking about and questioning my interpretation of this book for a long time.
If you've read this far it should be obvious this is a novel with well developed characters and a well developed storyline. It isn't an easy read but it's a thought provoking one. I kept asking myself if it's possible for a person's upbringing to create personality and character flaws that appear to be autism or if Inbal was predisposed to be this way from birth.
I recommend this book. I would encourage people to read it as a buddy read or a book club pick simply because I had so many questions through the novel. If you can't find someone to read it with it is still a book that makes the reader examine how and why people become who they are.
April 15, 2019
Breathless
The book opens with a woman is going on a run just after her husband tells her their marriage is over, and she flashes back on seemingly random things that have happened to her lately. This radical change in Inbal’s life starts off a chain of events. Her father disappeared when she was ten years old under suspicious circumstances, and she has never known the whole story. She decides she needs to get to the bottom of this and talk with her secretive mother as well as try to reconnect with her sister.
Will Inbal find the answers she seeks? What other things will she discover about herself and her family?
This is a beautifully written book in which the author cleverly interweaves past and present and takes the reader on a journey that is both physical and psychological. I love the way he wrote the first scenes. You don't understand at first why she is running or the relevance of the flashbacks, but it all comes together neatly. I enjoyed the initial metaphors of the buckling sidewalk and the trimming of the tree. I was surprised when I got to the end of the book and saw that a man wrote this as his understanding of complex female relationships, as between mother and daughter or sisters, seems right on. The author plays with language in a way that is both literary and accessible, which doesn't always happen.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
The book opens with a woman is going on a run just after her husband tells her their marriage is over, and she flashes back on seemingly random things that have happened to her lately. This radical change in Inbal’s life starts off a chain of events. Her father disappeared when she was ten years old under suspicious circumstances, and she has never known the whole story. She decides she needs to get to the bottom of this and talk with her secretive mother as well as try to reconnect with her sister.
Will Inbal find the answers she seeks? What other things will she discover about herself and her family?
This is a beautifully written book in which the author cleverly interweaves past and present and takes the reader on a journey that is both physical and psychological. I love the way he wrote the first scenes. You don't understand at first why she is running or the relevance of the flashbacks, but it all comes together neatly. I enjoyed the initial metaphors of the buckling sidewalk and the trimming of the tree. I was surprised when I got to the end of the book and saw that a man wrote this as his understanding of complex female relationships, as between mother and daughter or sisters, seems right on. The author plays with language in a way that is both literary and accessible, which doesn't always happen.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
July 16, 2018
A Breath She Took by Ilan Amit
Inbal is a biologist and when one morning her husband states he wants to separate, Inbal reacts by leaving the house for a run. She then goes on to think about what happened to bring her to this point. We learn about how her father leaving when she was young affected their lives, her relationship with her mother and sister and how she came to this point in her life. I received this book as a gift and the review is entirely my own.
Inbal is a biologist and when one morning her husband states he wants to separate, Inbal reacts by leaving the house for a run. She then goes on to think about what happened to bring her to this point. We learn about how her father leaving when she was young affected their lives, her relationship with her mother and sister and how she came to this point in her life. I received this book as a gift and the review is entirely my own.
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March 1, 2021The only way out is thru
I enjoyed reading this book and finished it in one day. I thought it would be a book about the protagonist and how she moves on with her life. But instead, it provided the reasons that brought her to her pre se nt condition and goes into depths to explain what she needs to work thru in order to move on. And as she moves thru her pain, she becomes lighter and you end up feeling that she really will make it.
I enjoyed reading this book and finished it in one day. I thought it would be a book about the protagonist and how she moves on with her life. But instead, it provided the reasons that brought her to her pre se nt condition and goes into depths to explain what she needs to work thru in order to move on. And as she moves thru her pain, she becomes lighter and you end up feeling that she really will make it.
July 28, 2018
I found this book to be full of integrating characters. The emotions felt were believable and at times I mirrored her emotions for her. Sadness, empathy, resentment, fear, sentimental and inspirational. A great insightful book on the trials of a woman and her relationships, while trying to find a piece of herself.
July 11, 2018
Very well written read! Hard to put down much less to walk away! Story plot and characters are well planned and thought out. This makes for a great rainy night reading or any time for that matter! Absolutely enjoyed it!
March 4, 2025
כולנו יכולים להיות ברגע נתון בהרבה מצבים ולבחור הרבה דברים שונים שיובילו שוב להרבה פיצולים אחרים של מצבים ואירועים... , כדי שנהיה מודעים לכך וניטיב לבחור את הפוזיציה שהכי טובה לנו ונצעד בעולם בו אנו רוצים ולא בעולם שאחרים קובעים לנו
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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