So far, this year, I’ve read mostly all non-fiction. Some of the books I read with specific research goals in mind for various fictional projects. Others, I read for my own spiritual enrichment. In this category, reading on one topic often prompted me to read similar books on similar topics. Even among these books I read because they just captivated my interest, I think very likely they will have an indirect if not direct influence on my writing. “How Then Should We Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture” by Francis Schaeffer prompted me to begin reading “Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assualt on Mind, Morals and Meaning” by Nancy Pearcey. Since both books deal with communicating better as a Christian to the modern culture, I think they should definitely have some influence on my own writing.
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
This is a novel written for youth. I first noticed in on an end cap in Borders and, since, it showed up in my Amazon recommendations. The story takes place during World War II, and unlike a lot of other World War II stories, the protagonists here are German citizens. The narrator of the story, strangely enough is Death, but the story is really one of survival, of evading Death. The main character is a young preteen girl, Liesl Meminger, who is raised by foster parents.
Her foster mother is a strict disciplinarian in the habit of using rough language, sometimes disguising a tender heart. Her favorite addresses for people were “saumensch” and “saukerl” which translate into something like “filthy pig” in the feminine and masculine. She used such mixed-up expressions as “Good girl, Saumensch” while hugging Liesl.
Her foster father was a gentler character, who was often at Liesl’s bedside when she was wakened by nightmares, brought on by memories of her brother’s death and separation from her biological mother. He would entertain her with his accordion and help her learn to read at odd hours of the night, including, as the title suggests, her “stolen” book, “The Gravedigger’s Handbook.”
Although Liesl and her friends are forced to take part in Hitler Youth activities, the atmosphere at home is definitely anti-Hitler. In fact, her family hides a Jewish man in the basement, a man who develops a special friendship with Liesl and helps nurture her love for books.
"Mystics, Mavericks and Merrymakers: An Intimate Journey among Hasidic Girls" by Stephanie Wellen Levine
Her foster mother is a strict disciplinarian in the habit of using rough language, sometimes disguising a tender heart. Her favorite addresses for people were “saumensch” and “saukerl” which translate into something like “filthy pig” in the feminine and masculine. She used such mixed-up expressions as “Good girl, Saumensch” while hugging Liesl.
Her foster father was a gentler character, who was often at Liesl’s bedside when she was wakened by nightmares, brought on by memories of her brother’s death and separation from her biological mother. He would entertain her with his accordion and help her learn to read at odd hours of the night, including, as the title suggests, her “stolen” book, “The Gravedigger’s Handbook.”
Although Liesl and her friends are forced to take part in Hitler Youth activities, the atmosphere at home is definitely anti-Hitler. In fact, her family hides a Jewish man in the basement, a man who develops a special friendship with Liesl and helps nurture her love for books.
"Mystics, Mavericks and Merrymakers: An Intimate Journey among Hasidic Girls" by Stephanie Wellen Levine
I chose to read this book in preparation for writing certain parts of the sequel to “And the Violin Cried.” My first book deals with some Hasidic characters, who will become more important in the second book, and, yes, one of these is a teen girl, which made this book appropriate.
While a graduate student in American studies at Harvard, the author spends some time as living among Lubavitcher Hasidim in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Her study was among the teen girls, whom she observed in their homes, social and school activities. Whereas mainstream American teens have their own cliques and stereotypes like jocks and geeks, Levine discovered certain types among the Hasidic girls. Levine goes into depth of how girls live in a community that is really completely gender-segregated, and how life and expected roles are very different for Hasidic men and women.
She gave character profiles of several girls she met who fell into different categories. From her descriptions, you get the feeling of what their daily life was like, interacting at school, going out in the neighborhood to The Gap or a kosher restaurant, attending weddings, their religious customs and the tricky business of following the strict religious laws.
One type is the chassidische girls. Chassidische girls are highly interested in religious study and in the Lubavitcher ideal of reaching out to the outer Jewish community to draw people into a more orthodox religious lifestyle. These were a rarity. “Normal” girls were fashionable and popular. They may get themselves into slight mischief such as accepting a car ride from a man who is not related to them, something which, in their community, could hurt their reputation and their matchmaking chances. Their slight rebellion might include wearing long socks instead of stockings to school.
The author came across questioners and rebels. One questioner was highly respected by her community for her intelligence and yet this same community felt, “She was too smart for her own good.” Her intelligent mind caused her to question the religious system she was brought up in and which her family was part of for generations. Levine also came across a group of young rebels who left the community and who were rebellious by any teen standard, smoking marijuana, visiting strip clubs, exploring alternative lifestyles, etc.
It was an interesting glimpse into a culture I would not likely be able to see any other way.
While a graduate student in American studies at Harvard, the author spends some time as living among Lubavitcher Hasidim in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Her study was among the teen girls, whom she observed in their homes, social and school activities. Whereas mainstream American teens have their own cliques and stereotypes like jocks and geeks, Levine discovered certain types among the Hasidic girls. Levine goes into depth of how girls live in a community that is really completely gender-segregated, and how life and expected roles are very different for Hasidic men and women.
She gave character profiles of several girls she met who fell into different categories. From her descriptions, you get the feeling of what their daily life was like, interacting at school, going out in the neighborhood to The Gap or a kosher restaurant, attending weddings, their religious customs and the tricky business of following the strict religious laws.
One type is the chassidische girls. Chassidische girls are highly interested in religious study and in the Lubavitcher ideal of reaching out to the outer Jewish community to draw people into a more orthodox religious lifestyle. These were a rarity. “Normal” girls were fashionable and popular. They may get themselves into slight mischief such as accepting a car ride from a man who is not related to them, something which, in their community, could hurt their reputation and their matchmaking chances. Their slight rebellion might include wearing long socks instead of stockings to school.
The author came across questioners and rebels. One questioner was highly respected by her community for her intelligence and yet this same community felt, “She was too smart for her own good.” Her intelligent mind caused her to question the religious system she was brought up in and which her family was part of for generations. Levine also came across a group of young rebels who left the community and who were rebellious by any teen standard, smoking marijuana, visiting strip clubs, exploring alternative lifestyles, etc.
It was an interesting glimpse into a culture I would not likely be able to see any other way.
More to Come...
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