About the book
A razor-sharp, hilarious, and poignant memoir about growing up in the closed world of the ultraorthodox Jewish community.
The third of six children in a family that harks back to a gloried Hassidic dynasty, Judy Brown grew up with the legacy of centuries of religious teaching, and the faith and lore that sustained her people for generations. But her carefully constructed world begins to crumble when her \"crazy\" brother Nachum returns home after a year in Israel living with relatives. Though supposedly \"cured,\" he is still prone to retreating into his own mind or erupting in wordless rages.
The adults' inability to make him better -- or even to give his affliction a name -- forces Judy to ask larger questions: If God could perform miracles for her sainted ancestors, why can't He cure Nachum? And what of the other stories her family treasured? Judy starts to negotiate with God, swinging from holy tenets to absurdly hilarious conclusions faster than a Talmudic scholar: she goes on a fast to nab coveted earrings; she fights with her siblings at the dinner table for the ultimate badge of honor (\"Who will survive the next Holocaust?\"); and she adamantly defends her family's reputation when, scandalously, her parents are accused of having fallen in love -- -which is absolutely not what pious people do.
For all its brutal honesty about this insular community, This Is Not a Love Story is ultimately a story of a family like so many others, whose fierce love for each other and devotion to their faith pulled them through the darkest time in their lives.
Editions of This Is Not a Love Story
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780316400725
- EBook
- ISBN 9780316400718
Read an Excerpt
A razor-sharp, hilarious, and poignant memoir about growing up in the closed world of the ultraorthodox Jewish community.
The third of six children in a family that harks back to a gloried Hassidic dynasty, Judy Brown grew up with the legacy of centuries of religious teaching, and the faith and lore that sustained her people for generations. But her carefully constructed world begins to crumble when her \"crazy\" brother Nachum returns home after a year in Israel living with relatives. Though supposedly \"cured,\" he is still prone to retreating into his own mind or erupting in wordless rages.
The adults' inability to make him better -- or even to give his affliction a name -- forces Judy to ask larger questions: If God could perform miracles for her sainted ancestors, why can't He cure Nachum? And what of the other stories her family treasured? Judy starts to negotiate with God, swinging from holy tenets to absurdly hilarious conclusions faster than a Talmudic scholar: she goes on a fast to nab coveted earrings; she fights with her siblings at the dinner table for the ultimate badge of honor (\"Who will survive the next Holocaust?\"); and she adamantly defends her family's reputation when, scandalously, her parents are accused of having fallen in love -- -which is absolutely not what pious people do.
For all its brutal honesty about this insular community, This Is Not a Love Story is ultimately a story of a family like so many others, whose fierce love for each other and devotion to their faith pulled them through the darkest time in their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is This Is Not a Love Story about?
A razor-sharp, hilarious, and poignant memoir about growing up in the closed world of the ultraorthodox Jewish community.
The third of six children in a family that harks back to a gloried Hassidic dynasty, Judy Brown grew up with the legacy of centuries of religious teaching, and the faith and lore that sustained her people for generations. But her carefully constructed world begins to crumble when her \"crazy\" brother Nachum returns home after a year in Israel living with relatives. Though supposedly \"cured,\" he is still prone to retreating into his own mind or erupting in wordless rages.
The adults' inability to make him better -- or even to give his affliction a name -- forces Judy to ask larger questions: If God could perform miracles for her sainted ancestors, why can't He cure Nachum? And what of the other stories her family treasured? Judy starts to negotiate with God, swinging from holy tenets to absurdly hilarious conclusions faster than a Talmudic scholar: she goes on a fast to nab coveted earrings; she fights with her siblings at the dinner table for the ultimate badge of honor (\"Who will survive the next Holocaust?\"); and she adamantly defends her family's reputation when, scandalously, her parents are accused of having fallen in love -- -which is absolutely not what pious people do.
For all its brutal honesty about this insular community, This Is Not a Love Story is ultimately a story of a family like so many others, whose fierce love for each other and devotion to their faith pulled them through the darkest time in their lives.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in This Is Not a Love Story?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Biography: general
Where can I read a sample of This Is Not a Love Story?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780316400725
Who is/are the Author/s of the book This Is Not a Love Story?
Judy Brown
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
This Is Not a Love Story is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780316400725) and ebook(ISBN 9780316400718)
Where can I buy This Is Not a Love Story online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy This Is Not a Love Story from below
Where can I buy This Is Not a Love Story?