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Leaving Eastern Parkway a novel
Brooklyn’s Hasidic community of Lubavitchers is turned upside down when family tragedy strikes and everyday life changes forever in the life of Zev Altshul. He is first placed into the care of the closed and close-knit community where he grew up, but soon realizes he can’t stay. His saving grace is handball; it’s his gift from God, and the one thing he can rely on as he is shuttled, chased, and abandoned by trusted elders, family, and friends. Even as Zev never fully escapes from the guilt of his choices, he sets course across the United States to discover where loyalty really lies and what it means. He seeks out his long-lost sister, only to find himself as unprepared for life outside the Lubavitcher community as he was unwilling to remain. Forced out of his second home, Zev plays handball to support himself in the goyische world, but obligations he doesn’t fully understand still tie him to Crown Heights and follow him to Chicago and New Mexico threatening always to return Zev to life among the Lubavitchers. Lyrical, vivid, and thoroughly engaging, this is certainly among the first novels of its kind.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published August 13, 2022
256 people are currently reading
1697 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Daub
3 books33 followersMatthew Daub's watercolors and drawings have been widely exhibited for over four decades. He's had more than twenty solo exhibitions at galleries and museums throughout the United States, and his works have been included in exhibitions at venues such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Academy of Arts and Letters, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, and The National Academy of Design. In 1991, The Metropolitan Museum featured one of his watercolors in their annual engagement calendar. He is the author of the monograph, A CHARMED VISION: THE ART OF CAROLYN PLOCHMANN, as well as more than thirty articles published in nationally distributed art magazines. LEAVING EASTERN PARKWAY is his first novel. You can find out more about Matthew and his creative work on his website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
October 12, 2022
Leaving Eastern Parkway is the story of an Orthodox Jewish boy from Brooklyn, NY. It paints a picture of his life shortly before leaving, his reasons for leaving, and his adventures for the next couple of years. We get a peek into his thoughts as his life changes dramatically.
I live in Brooklyn and often interact with very religious Jews who live nearby. The author paints such an accurate picture of their dress, customs, beliefs, etc., that I am convinced he was raised in that environment.
This story was so interesting that I didn't want it to end. Recommended!
I live in Brooklyn and often interact with very religious Jews who live nearby. The author paints such an accurate picture of their dress, customs, beliefs, etc., that I am convinced he was raised in that environment.
This story was so interesting that I didn't want it to end. Recommended!
November 1, 2025
I picked up this book for a book-club read.
I saw that that the story was about a
13-year old Hasidic boy leaving in an Hasidic community of New York. I had my doubts about liking this book because reading about a boy’s coming of age is not really of interest to me.
However, I was delightfully surprised.
4.75 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The teenager’s parents both die.
His sister left the Hasidic community years ago.
The Rabbi tells the boy which family he’ll live with
as his family so he can continue studying Torah in the Hasidic community (and play handball as long as it’s not on the Sabbath or other Jewish holidays).
The boy is not happy about that.
The boy wants to remain in his family’s home.
His sister actually comes back to the Hasidic community & the two reunite and leave together.
There are problems. The boy doesn’t know how to live in the real world. With the help his sister, a Reform Rabbi and an older (new) friend - a handball “friend” - the boy adapts to some degree, to his new reality.
There are Yiddish words used at certain points throughout the book. Fortunately, there is a glossary with the Yiddish words’ definitions.
The Yiddish words did distract me from the beautifully worded flow. I took 0.25 off from
my rating. Please note that some people claim
that not all the Yiddish words were used correctly.
I don’t know Yiddish. 🤷🏻♀️
This novel is a beautifully written and a fascinating read.
The author is an artist, a painter, by trade.
He is also an artist of story telling. (In my opinion).
I will definitely read any future books
that he writes.
I highly recommend this book!
I saw that that the story was about a
13-year old Hasidic boy leaving in an Hasidic community of New York. I had my doubts about liking this book because reading about a boy’s coming of age is not really of interest to me.
However, I was delightfully surprised.
4.75 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The teenager’s parents both die.
His sister left the Hasidic community years ago.
The Rabbi tells the boy which family he’ll live with
as his family so he can continue studying Torah in the Hasidic community (and play handball as long as it’s not on the Sabbath or other Jewish holidays).
The boy is not happy about that.
The boy wants to remain in his family’s home.
His sister actually comes back to the Hasidic community & the two reunite and leave together.
There are problems. The boy doesn’t know how to live in the real world. With the help his sister, a Reform Rabbi and an older (new) friend - a handball “friend” - the boy adapts to some degree, to his new reality.
There are Yiddish words used at certain points throughout the book. Fortunately, there is a glossary with the Yiddish words’ definitions.
The Yiddish words did distract me from the beautifully worded flow. I took 0.25 off from
my rating. Please note that some people claim
that not all the Yiddish words were used correctly.
I don’t know Yiddish. 🤷🏻♀️
This novel is a beautifully written and a fascinating read.
The author is an artist, a painter, by trade.
He is also an artist of story telling. (In my opinion).
I will definitely read any future books
that he writes.
I highly recommend this book!
June 7, 2022
This was a very interesting, very different OTD (off-the-derech) story about a teen boy who runs away to live with his older sister after both his parents die. I found the Champaign-Urbana, IL setting in the 90's particularly interesting, plus the portions that took place in Chicago too. I knew nothing about hand-ball and was surprised to learn how competitive and lucrative it was. I think some of the characters needed to be developed more fully and I definitely need to discuss the ending. A strong possibility for my book groups . . . it will be released on September 13, 2022.
July 12, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I had low expectations because many books about people who go off the derech include stereotypical characters and paint the religious ones as hysterical and crazy. Some of them exaggerate to the point that the story is unbelievable. But I could not put the book down. The characters were nuanced, and even though the religious people in this one were "the bad guys" and did horrible things, and the main character's mother was crazy because she was mentally ill, they were somewhat realistic. So many good things - interesting story arc, great pacing, strong sense of place in Brooklyn, Urbana, and Chicago. I learned a lot about handball, and Zev's return to the New York Metropolitan area to play on different courts made me realize that I must have past many of them on my trips to New York City and Brooklyn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2023
Wonderful Debut
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Leaving Eastern Parkway. It was very human and inspiring. Life does not always take us n a straight path and this novel explores personal growth, belonging, doubts , community, connection and ultimately forgiveness. Well recommended. Beautifully written and engaging.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Leaving Eastern Parkway. It was very human and inspiring. Life does not always take us n a straight path and this novel explores personal growth, belonging, doubts , community, connection and ultimately forgiveness. Well recommended. Beautifully written and engaging.
July 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. The author does an amazing job in making you see and understand the world through Zev's lens. His upbringing, family, community and the culture. Existing in two worlds at the same time, the complexities.
I also enjoyed the wisdom offered by the Rabbi's in Zev's life.
I also enjoyed the wisdom offered by the Rabbi's in Zev's life.
July 30, 2023
Hm. I didn't enjoy reading this book particularly. But I think my rating system is predicated heavily on not just enjoyment, but "will I think about this book again?", and I will think about this book again for sure. It's strange how a book can be not fun to read in the moment, but also give you somewhat satisfying meat to chew on. It's a weird spot to be in.
For context, Leaving Eastern Parkway explores the tragic circumstances that lead to Zevi Altshul's departure from his insular Hasidic community, and his subsequent coming-of-age as an ex-Hasidic self-described loner Jew in a world where he has no permanent anchor to anyone or anything, aside from the sport of handball.
Firstly, I'll put my grievances with my book upfront: this book has a twist at the end. I don't actually usually like it when I know a book or movie has a twist because then the entire time I'm just waiting ... but in this case, I actually think it would have been better had I known. A major theme of the book is Shmuel Resnick, who takes an instant disliking to Zevi in the wake of his parents' death and continues to inexplicably harass him for years afterward. His intense dislike of Zevi in the beginning of the book was a bit ... hard to believe and unrealistic, and, being honest, I dismissed it as bad writing. Shmuel shows up again and again, without really a satisfactory answer of why he hates Zevi so much. It really impacted my enjoyment of the book--he just seemed like such a shoe-horned-in two-dimensional villain, and I couldn't help but internally roll my eyes whenever he showed up. The end of the book eventually explains why Shmuel had an issue with Zevi, but it just felt a little "too late"? I dunno. The suspension of belief I was forced to uphold for so long regarding Shmuel made it hard to get invested in other parts of the story.
I also felt like Zevi's life was a string of tragedy, over and over; in particular, I wish one character had not died, and Daub had instead found another way to tell the remainder of the story. I think the book could have ended similarly without this event, but more believably. So many people die or otherwise bad events happen that it feels a little unrealistic--what next? In some ways, it feels like Daub can only advance the plot or characters if a tragedy happens.
This particuar point isn't a demerit of the book in terms of "badly written," but in terms of "enjoying" in the moment: Zevi, the narrator, is a taciturn, staid boy. I get why he was written the way he was and it's absolutely part of his character. But you know the sobering documentary that isn't fun, even if it makes you think? That's Zevi. Zevi is not fun. He's not light. He's a very emotionally stoic character. You may feel emotions as you read, but chances are Zevi will not outwardly share those emotions on the page.
Where this book shone and where I'll be thinking later is the characters.
Firstly, I loved Frida, and I actually kind of wish the story had been about her! I usually don't relate very much to female characters in any medium; I don't relate to damsel-in-distress characters at all and never have. But I've also never liked the modern reaction to that stereotype, the strong don't-no-need-no-man woman. Frida is neither. She's fiercely independent and free-thinking--she broke away from an insular community!--but she is also flawed, weak, unsure of herself, unhappy. She says herself--it's easy to know what you don't want, but not what you do. I really relate to that. I didn't always agree with the decisions she made, but why she made them always made total sense to me. She was wonderfully complex. I love characters who are headstrong and outwardly confident and know what they definitely don't want and actively reject that, even if that means not fitting into society ... but yet don't actually know what they do want and how to achieve it... because that's me. Others see it as confidence, and perhaps in some ways, it is, but in other ways, it is anything but. It was refreshing to see that reflected.
Zev was an interesting character. As mentioned earlier, he's kind of like that intense documentary that isn't very fun to watch. Zev is not a fun character. I wouldn't be drawn to Zev as a friend. He's painfully awkward and stilted; he shares little with others around him, even when it would really behoove him to do so. Zev keeps almost everyone at arm's length, and even admits he's a loner. In some ways, Zev is not that dissimilar from his sister, though; while he never actively rejects Hasidism, he goes by the beat of his own drummer. Zev followed Hasidism because it was what he knew, and had Zev never left the community, he would have remained a Hasid. But he was a loner who didn't quite follow certain rules in that community, and he was the same in the "American" community too. There was no world in which Zev would have fit in, but Zev, to his credit, never really cares. He is nominally interested in fitting in, but he also sort of isn't. He sort of wants friends, but he sort of doesn't. Zev does what suits Zev. He's a hard character to relate to because he doesn't really try to relate to others--he actively pushes a lot of well-intentioned people away--but it also makes him interesting and complex? I can't recall the last time I read a book with such an indifferent character as Zev.
Zev's relationship with Joe was satisfying. I liked Joe, and I genuinely felt for him. He, like Frida, is both broken and believable, and it was not hard to see how Zev and Joe's relationship blossomed. I just wish his relationship with Zev had ended differently.
I guess ultimately you could say this book is about the characters and the relationships between them. I picked up a book thinking I would read about what it is like to leave the Hasidic community, and, yeah, it did cover that, but I felt like it wasn't the forefront focus. Leaving Hasidism allowed Zev to be a stranger within his own country, to be without a community, to find his own unique way as a marcher-of-his-own-drum.. which is really what the story is about.
For context, Leaving Eastern Parkway explores the tragic circumstances that lead to Zevi Altshul's departure from his insular Hasidic community, and his subsequent coming-of-age as an ex-Hasidic self-described loner Jew in a world where he has no permanent anchor to anyone or anything, aside from the sport of handball.
Firstly, I'll put my grievances with my book upfront: this book has a twist at the end. I don't actually usually like it when I know a book or movie has a twist because then the entire time I'm just waiting ... but in this case, I actually think it would have been better had I known. A major theme of the book is Shmuel Resnick, who takes an instant disliking to Zevi in the wake of his parents' death and continues to inexplicably harass him for years afterward. His intense dislike of Zevi in the beginning of the book was a bit ... hard to believe and unrealistic, and, being honest, I dismissed it as bad writing. Shmuel shows up again and again, without really a satisfactory answer of why he hates Zevi so much. It really impacted my enjoyment of the book--he just seemed like such a shoe-horned-in two-dimensional villain, and I couldn't help but internally roll my eyes whenever he showed up. The end of the book eventually explains why Shmuel had an issue with Zevi, but it just felt a little "too late"? I dunno. The suspension of belief I was forced to uphold for so long regarding Shmuel made it hard to get invested in other parts of the story.
I also felt like Zevi's life was a string of tragedy, over and over; in particular, I wish one character had not died, and Daub had instead found another way to tell the remainder of the story. I think the book could have ended similarly without this event, but more believably. So many people die or otherwise bad events happen that it feels a little unrealistic--what next? In some ways, it feels like Daub can only advance the plot or characters if a tragedy happens.
This particuar point isn't a demerit of the book in terms of "badly written," but in terms of "enjoying" in the moment: Zevi, the narrator, is a taciturn, staid boy. I get why he was written the way he was and it's absolutely part of his character. But you know the sobering documentary that isn't fun, even if it makes you think? That's Zevi. Zevi is not fun. He's not light. He's a very emotionally stoic character. You may feel emotions as you read, but chances are Zevi will not outwardly share those emotions on the page.
Where this book shone and where I'll be thinking later is the characters.
Firstly, I loved Frida, and I actually kind of wish the story had been about her! I usually don't relate very much to female characters in any medium; I don't relate to damsel-in-distress characters at all and never have. But I've also never liked the modern reaction to that stereotype, the strong don't-no-need-no-man woman. Frida is neither. She's fiercely independent and free-thinking--she broke away from an insular community!--but she is also flawed, weak, unsure of herself, unhappy. She says herself--it's easy to know what you don't want, but not what you do. I really relate to that. I didn't always agree with the decisions she made, but why she made them always made total sense to me. She was wonderfully complex. I love characters who are headstrong and outwardly confident and know what they definitely don't want and actively reject that, even if that means not fitting into society ... but yet don't actually know what they do want and how to achieve it... because that's me. Others see it as confidence, and perhaps in some ways, it is, but in other ways, it is anything but. It was refreshing to see that reflected.
Zev was an interesting character. As mentioned earlier, he's kind of like that intense documentary that isn't very fun to watch. Zev is not a fun character. I wouldn't be drawn to Zev as a friend. He's painfully awkward and stilted; he shares little with others around him, even when it would really behoove him to do so. Zev keeps almost everyone at arm's length, and even admits he's a loner. In some ways, Zev is not that dissimilar from his sister, though; while he never actively rejects Hasidism, he goes by the beat of his own drummer. Zev followed Hasidism because it was what he knew, and had Zev never left the community, he would have remained a Hasid. But he was a loner who didn't quite follow certain rules in that community, and he was the same in the "American" community too. There was no world in which Zev would have fit in, but Zev, to his credit, never really cares. He is nominally interested in fitting in, but he also sort of isn't. He sort of wants friends, but he sort of doesn't. Zev does what suits Zev. He's a hard character to relate to because he doesn't really try to relate to others--he actively pushes a lot of well-intentioned people away--but it also makes him interesting and complex? I can't recall the last time I read a book with such an indifferent character as Zev.
Zev's relationship with Joe was satisfying. I liked Joe, and I genuinely felt for him. He, like Frida, is both broken and believable, and it was not hard to see how Zev and Joe's relationship blossomed. I just wish his relationship with Zev had ended differently.
I guess ultimately you could say this book is about the characters and the relationships between them. I picked up a book thinking I would read about what it is like to leave the Hasidic community, and, yeah, it did cover that, but I felt like it wasn't the forefront focus. Leaving Hasidism allowed Zev to be a stranger within his own country, to be without a community, to find his own unique way as a marcher-of-his-own-drum.. which is really what the story is about.
January 8, 2023
I have been an avid reader of fiction since childhood. In recent years, I’ve often been disappointed by novels that have uninteresting characters or abrupt and often nonsensical endings. I have also found difficulty getting books about Jewish protagonists that satisfy my “no Holocaust” rule.
LEP had none of these problems. It was one of the most engrossing novels I've read in a very long time. The protagonist, Zev, and the other key characters are very well-realized and they are interesting for Jews and non-Jews alike, especially those who like a coming-of-age story.
LEP had none of these problems. It was one of the most engrossing novels I've read in a very long time. The protagonist, Zev, and the other key characters are very well-realized and they are interesting for Jews and non-Jews alike, especially those who like a coming-of-age story.
October 30, 2022
This was a spectacular read! It helps to know something about the background, but not necessary as his descriptions are fantastic. There is a great story, great psychological angst, and even a mystery in the background. A coming of age story as well. I really do hope that he continues to write as he shows great skill.
Yes, plenty of books have been written about those leaving the strict Orthodox community, but this one is completely different. I believe he shows a different take on beliefs vs dogma. Brilliant!!!
Loved this.
Yes, plenty of books have been written about those leaving the strict Orthodox community, but this one is completely different. I believe he shows a different take on beliefs vs dogma. Brilliant!!!
Loved this.
March 6, 2023
Quick and enjoyable read. Surprised to see my cousin Stevie Sandler’s name in many parts of this book, but he was the handball champ of Brooklyn.
Zev was an amazing, yet lonely character that got what he wanted.. to play handball everyday.
I would have liked a better ending, but still enjoyed this well told story.
Zev was an amazing, yet lonely character that got what he wanted.. to play handball everyday.
I would have liked a better ending, but still enjoyed this well told story.
December 17, 2024
This one was on my TBR list for a while and finally got there--and boy, am I glad I did. This was just a superb story and compulsive read about a Hasidic teenager and handball champ forced to leave his Brooklyn enclave and what the outside world holds in store for him. A great character study with many surprising twists and turns. A really impressive first novel by artist Matthew Daub.
June 16, 2024
LEAVING EASTERN PARKWAY is an enthralling coming-of-age story that delves into the internal struggle of a young man named Zev Altschul. The story beautifully explores the conflicting emotions he experiences as he tries to balance his Hasidic background with his love for the sport of handball. This is artist Matthew Daub’s first published novel, and it is truly astonishing. He even created the haunting cover of the book.
Daub's writing is funny, heartfelt and thought-provoking. Through Zev's perspective, the author sensitively explores the complexities of identity, faith, and the bonds of family and the Chabad Lubavitcher community. The narrative is richly layered, providing a profound exploration of the human experience. 770 Eastern Parkway is the location of the world headquarters of the Chabad Lubavitcher movement around which all of Zev’s early family life revolved, and so the book’s title is heavy with meaning.
One of the standout features of this audiobook is the exceptional narration by Luzer Twersky. Twersky's portrayal of the characters is remarkable, as he effortlessly captures the cadence and nuances of Yiddish and Hebrew. His performance adds depth and authenticity to the story, immersing the listener in Zev's journey of self-discovery.
LEAVING EASTERN PARKWAY is a poignant and engaging audiobook that will resonate with listeners of all backgrounds. It offers a unique glimpse into a world rarely explored in mainstream literature. Whether you are familiar with Hasidic traditions or not, this audiobook is a compelling tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of one's passions. Highly recommend!
Daub's writing is funny, heartfelt and thought-provoking. Through Zev's perspective, the author sensitively explores the complexities of identity, faith, and the bonds of family and the Chabad Lubavitcher community. The narrative is richly layered, providing a profound exploration of the human experience. 770 Eastern Parkway is the location of the world headquarters of the Chabad Lubavitcher movement around which all of Zev’s early family life revolved, and so the book’s title is heavy with meaning.
One of the standout features of this audiobook is the exceptional narration by Luzer Twersky. Twersky's portrayal of the characters is remarkable, as he effortlessly captures the cadence and nuances of Yiddish and Hebrew. His performance adds depth and authenticity to the story, immersing the listener in Zev's journey of self-discovery.
LEAVING EASTERN PARKWAY is a poignant and engaging audiobook that will resonate with listeners of all backgrounds. It offers a unique glimpse into a world rarely explored in mainstream literature. Whether you are familiar with Hasidic traditions or not, this audiobook is a compelling tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of one's passions. Highly recommend!
January 30, 2023
I couldn't put this book down! Aside from being a unique story, the author captured the Lubavitcher culture extremely well. I have never been a Lubavitcher but have been involved with them in various ways for almost 20 years. It is very well written with good descriptions. Thank you, Matthew!
April 23, 2025
I think I should have liked this one more than I did, but the experiences of this handball playing, Hasidic teenage boy didn’t resonate with me.
February 5, 2023
Not my usual type of reading which is suspense and historical fiction and I’m not even sure how I got this ebook although I think w an ebook sale thru an email. What a nice surprise as this was such a great story about a boy coming of age and the challenges he encounters. Read this book over a weekend as it keeps you hooked and wanting to see what happens next. Would make a wonderful film.
October 7, 2022
Very interesting and easy read. Some of the plot and resolution felt overly simple, but it still worked well. A good insihht into jewishness, but also a lot of the elements of the story felt universal. Knowing the author was an artist, I found Frida's and Paul's approaches to art interesting.
October 13, 2022
An inauthentic knockoff of The Chosen written by someone not from the community, that villainizes Hasidic Jewry to such a degree that all nuance is gone.
June 21, 2023
I loved the book until the end. The author just cut it off. No resolution nothing. I felt let down, there was no closure.
March 22, 2025
There are some novels that, although you turn the pages quite quickly, you really don't want the story to end. Leaving Eastern Parkway is a beautifully articulated coming of age story filled with both adversity and triumph. The protagonist, Zev, is young Hasidic Jew whose innocence and naivete is shattered by the death of both of his parents within days of each other. He leaves New York for Illinois with a garbage bag full of money to live with his sister, who left the ultra religious sect years earlier. Zev struggles mightily to assimilate into a new culture and finds an unlikely friend who helps him reconcile his past with his present. He is both endearing and amusing in his new environment. This book will break your heart as Zev attempts to form bonds while dealing with abandonment issues, his family's dysfunctional past, and his battle to make peace with his religious identity. Through his ups and downs, he finds acclaim as a renowned and gifted handball player. If you aren't familiar with the Hasidic faith, there's a handy glossary at the end of the book, which I found helpful. (Though, I had to Google handball.) The writing is captivating and the characters are perfectly nuanced. I loved this book.
April 1, 2024
It shows that this book was written by a painter. Much more effort is spent on crafting flowy prose than on constructing a solid plot. No particular setting, conflict, or moral is ever committed to. The story bounces schizophrenically between sports drama clichés, high school coming-of-age clichés, and mob thriller clichés.
With all that said, though, l still found Leaving Eastern Parkway quite entertaining mostly due to its choice to focus on Hasidic identity as a central motif. It's definitely educational in a way. I'd recommend this book to anyone who, like me, is fascinated by insular religious sects and loves to read about them, even by way of a trite, silly novel.
With all that said, though, l still found Leaving Eastern Parkway quite entertaining mostly due to its choice to focus on Hasidic identity as a central motif. It's definitely educational in a way. I'd recommend this book to anyone who, like me, is fascinated by insular religious sects and loves to read about them, even by way of a trite, silly novel.
March 23, 2025
I loved everything about this book, especially the voice of the boy who leaves his Jewish Hasidic life in Brooklyn, NY to pursue his dreams. This might not seem like much, but it’s a very big deal. Speaking mostly Yiddish his whole life Zev can barely speak “American” and since he’s been raised in the equivalent of a foreign country, he is unprepared for his new life. There is humor, and heartbreak, and joy and hope in this story, and above all it’s authentic. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents who spoke only Yiddish to each other, and often to me. I understand the language and how it sounds when a Yiddish speaker speaks English. The language and dialogue were pitch perfect as were the customs and influence of the Hasidic community. There is a great glossary in the back to help with Yiddish translation which I highly recommend. Note: There are some words that are untranslatable, ha!!
March 14, 2025
Beautiful tale; beautifully told
I loved the characters. I loved the literary writing. I especially loved the ending! This book has universal appeal, but should be esp interesting to people looking for a glimpse into the Hasidic world from the eyes of a young man yearning for something different...
I loved the characters. I loved the literary writing. I especially loved the ending! This book has universal appeal, but should be esp interesting to people looking for a glimpse into the Hasidic world from the eyes of a young man yearning for something different...
December 23, 2022
Did not like the beginning of the book - was very disturbing. Got better. Some important theological musings … really liked the variety of rabbis brought into the plot. Recommend to read - would be good to use for a discussion and learning session.
October 26, 2024
I liked the story, and the growth of the main character, Zev. But I didn’t love the ending-his sister’s storyline ended up feeling really rushed and not super true to her character. The revelation about Zev’s dad was interesting but again felt a little rushed and I was left wanting more.
March 18, 2025
I don’t know when or how I found this book and added it to my libby waitlist but I am so happy I did!! A very moving story of a young boy who (from largely external circumstances) leaves Hasidic crown heights and tries to reintegrate (severance brain?) into civil society.
July 17, 2025
This is the story of an orthodox Jewish teenage boy raised in NYC who loses both of his parents and goes to live with his non-practicing older sister in Illinois. The main character Zev is resilient as he adapts to this new way of life. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Damon from Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead book, which was one of my favorite books from 2023. Really excellent book with complex and flawed characters.
October 28, 2023
Brilliantly sustained and moving voice, a cracking coming-of-age novel with a real page-turner of a plot. A true gem of a novel.
November 2, 2023
3.5 stars. You can’t not love Zev Altshul, the orphaned Hasidic teenager from Brooklyn who is left to find his way in the secular world. He goes “off the derech”, leaving the insular religious community in which he was raised, and his coming of age story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
March 7, 2024
Excellent book about leaving Hasidic Judaism, but, more importantly, finding who you are and what you are capable of.
October 2, 2024
honestly shockingly good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews