Strange Relations
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4.5 • 4 Ratings
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
A summer in paradise. That's all Marne wants. That's all she can think of when she asks her parents permission to spend the summer in Hawaii with Aunt Carole and her family.
But Marne quickly realizes her visit isn't going to be just about learning to surf and morning runs along the beach, despite the cute surfer boy she keeps bumping into. For one thing, Aunt Carole isn't even Aunt Carole anymore—she's Aunt Chaya, married to a Chasidic rabbi and deeply rooted in her religious community. Nothing could be more foreign to Marne, and fitting into this new culture—and house full of kids—is a challenge. But as she settles into her newfound family's daily routine, she begins to think about spirituality, identity, and finding a place in the world in a way she never has before.
This rich novel is a window into a different life and gets to the very heart of faith, identity, and family ties.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Levitin (The Goodness Gene) offers a vivid portrayal of Chasidic culture in this intimate novel about a contemporary Los Angeles teen's reunion with her extended Orthodox Jewish family. Having felt disconnected from her parents since her younger sister's disappearance five years ago, 15-year-old Marne is eager to go to Hawaii to spend the summer with her Aunt Chaya's family, even if it means putting up with their religious views and rituals. Marne looks forward to swimming in the ocean and learning to surf, but ends up spending most of her time helping overworked Aunt Chaya with her seven children and with her endless community duties as a rabbi's wife. Some traditions practiced in the household particularly the restrictions placed on women's dress and demeanor frustrate and embarrass Marne, and she finds herself in a sticky situation when a boy she meets receives a cold reception from her aunt. But Marne's induction to the family's strict rules also has a profound and positive effect, inspiring her to contemplate her own views of family, religion and morality. The broadening of Marne's outlook as she comes to know and cherish her aunt, uncle and cousins is convincing. There are perhaps a few too many conflicts cluttering the storyline, but the heroine's inner turmoil and emotional growth are skillfully and movingly wrought. Ages 12-up.
Customer Reviews
Wow
I read this book b4 from the library and its an amazing read for young adults.i was a middle skooler at the time but nonetheless its was THE BOMB!!!but young mind so i recommend it.🎯👍👍👍👍👍