Reseña: Unorthodox - Deborah Feldman // Review: Unorthodox - Deborah Feldman
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Lo que más me gusta de un libro, aparte de una buena historia y personajes, es cuando esta lectura me hace conocer más sobre un tema que era desconocido para mí, ya sea desde el punto de vista histórico o como en este caso el de una comunidad particular judía de la que poco sabía. Fue publicado en el 2020, siendo su autora Déborah Feldman. Es un libro autobiográfico.
What I like most about a book, apart from a good story and characters, is when this reading makes me learn more about a subject that was unknown to me, either from a historical point of view or as in this case that of a particular Jewish community of which I knew little. It was published in 2020, being its author Deborah Feldman. It is an autobiographical book.
Sinopsis: Deborah es una niña que es criada por sus abuelos en una comunidad judía Satmar ubicada en Brooklyn, USA. Esta comunidad cerrada para los extraños, tiene sus peculiares protocolos, formas de comunicarse y reglas, que la vuelven estricta para Deborah. Con su pequeño secreto, que es el poder leer libros prohibidos por la comunidad, se irá alejando poco a poco de su comunidad y buscará su independencia.
Synopsis: Deborah is a girl who is raised by her grandparents in a Jewish Satmar community located in Brooklyn, USA. This community, closed to outsiders, has its peculiar protocols, ways of communicating and rules, which make it strict for Deborah. With her little secret, which is to be able to read books forbidden by the community, she will gradually move away from her community and seek her independence.
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La historia se ubica desde finales de los 90 hasta casi 2020. Veremos como la protagonista va cambiando su forma de pensar y percepción del contexto en que vive con el pasar de los años. Los libros le permitirán conocer el exterior, lo que queda afuera de su comunidad cerrada y religiosa. A su vez, le hará conocer como muchas protagonistas de ciertas novelas también sufrieron el sentirse vivir en una vida injusta y cómo reaccionaron a ello.
The story is set from the late 90's to almost 2020. We will see how the protagonist changes her way of thinking and perception of the context in which she lives as the years go by. The books will allow her to get to know the outside, what is outside her closed and religious community. At the same time, it will let you know how many protagonists of certain novels also suffered from the feeling of living in an unfair life and how they reacted to it.
Si bien es interesante conocer muchos de los rituales, protocolos, injusticias y modos de la vida judía Satmar; la protagonista es un poco victimista, además de parecer nunca tener culpa de nada o no poder ver más allá de lo inmediato, se vuelve insufrible en ciertos puntos. Me desilusiona un poco la falta de conflicto en especial al final, solo menciones del posible rechazo a la protagonista.
While it is interesting to learn about many of the rituals, protocols, injustices and ways of Jewish Satmar life; the protagonist is a bit of a victimizer, in addition to never seeming to be at fault for anything or unable to see beyond the immediate, it becomes insufferable at certain points. I am a bit disappointed by the lack of conflict especially at the end, only mentions of the possible rejection of the protagonist.
La historia genera mucha reflexión sobre la fe ciega. Te hace preguntar qué es lo que hace que una comunidad decida apegarse a ciertas reglas que reducen al individuo y sus deseos, y quienes son los grandes beneficiados de mantener tal status quo.
The story generates a lot of reflection on blind faith. It makes you wonder what makes a community decide to stick to certain rules that reduce the individual and his desires, and who are the great beneficiaries of maintaining such status quo.
El libro es fácil de leer, pero tiene varias palabras en Yiddish, idioma judio; sin embargo, nos apoyan con un glosario al final del mismo. Al menos en la edición que tengo. Es una historia lineal y de obvio final, así que no esperen muchas sorpresas.
The book is easy to read, but has several words in Yiddish, the Jewish language; however, we are supported with a glossary at the end of the book. At least in the edition I have. It is a linear story with an obvious ending, so don't expect many surprises.
En general es un buen libro para conocer sobre el tema y la búsqueda de la libertad de la protagonista. Tiene una adaptación en forma de serie en Netflix. La autora tiene un libro continuación llamado EXODUS, que con suerte también leeré.
Overall it is a good book to learn about the subject and the protagonist's quest for freedom. It has a series adaptation on Netflix. The author has a follow up book called EXODUS, which I will hopefully read as well.
I've only watched the TV series because the books it's not available in my country maybe I will find an English version somewhere by the way I will be extremely curious to read the book after seeing the show.
The truth is that I have not read it, but the issue of such a closed community and with its own rules in the middle of Brooklyn seems fascinating. And what you say, that books are their escape to know the outside world, is a very powerful idea. How curious what you say about the protagonist. It is a task when the theme is so good but the main character is a little ball or victimist, as you say. Thanks for the honest review