A Ruffled Calm

by Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

An eccentric woman imposes herself on a family living in Jerusalem at a time of disturbances in the Old City. their orderly way of life is disrupted, bringing Tamar, devoted wife and mother, to the verge of a breakdown. Her husband, Reuben, does his best to keep things on an even keel but is distracted by his obsession with his young secretary. Matters come to a head when Tamar’s boss absconds with her colleague and the firm’s funds, and she finds Reuben in an compromising situation.

201 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2019

Reviews

[C. Yvette Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking, emotional roller coaster that left me seething. Perfect for today's political climate, this book will surely pull you in like a tight fist gripping your collar. A Jewish family enters into (today's time) and the head of household finds himself in the center of racism while dealing with his family who feels out of place. I honestly would have written the ending differently, not because the author did not successfully do her job. On the contrary, because she was able to make me want an alternative ending for the characters I grew to dislike. That's what you call amazing writer. Weeks after reading the final page, I still think about the story line. The author was able to intertwine a story of racism, adultery, misguided void and displacement all into one book, with multiple elements of characteristics like a perfectly fitting jigsaw that ended with a beautiful depiction of reality. Applause and standing ovation goes to this author. Highly recommended for those who wants a taste of the real stuff.