Between Gods invites us to re-examine our beliefs and the extent to which they define us.
Growing up in a tight-knit Christian family, Alison Pick went to church regularly. But as a teenager, she discovered a remarkable family secret: her paternal grandparents fled from the Czech Republic at the start of WWII because they were Jewish. Tragically, other family members who hesitated to emigrate were sent to Auschwitz.
Haunted by the Holocaust, Alison's grandparents established themselves in their new lives as Christians. Not even Alison's father knew of his parents' past until he visited the Jewish cemetery in Prague as an adult. This atmosphere of shame and secrecy haunted Alison's journey into adulthood.
Drowning in a sense of emptiness, she eventually came to realize that her true path forward lay in reclaiming her history and identity as a Jew, and she began attending conversion classes. But the process was far from easy as old wounds were opened, and all of her relationships were tested.
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MY REVIEW
It has been my experience that family secrets kept hidden in our lives eventually work their way back to the surface, whether we welcome them or not. What was for Alison a search for the truth of her heritage became a search for her own sense of self.
Given the political climate in Europe at the time, especially the areas under Nazi control, who amongst us can positively state that they would not have made the same choice as Alison's paternal grandparents. And they hid the secret of their true faith well - even their own son did not know until he became an adult.
In a way I an understand the party line of the Jewish establishment encountered by Alison during her search. All families have challenges to and opportunities for closeness, but multi-faith families encounter some special issues that can help or hurt. This is not to say that two people belonging to different faiths cannot work, but the differences have to be mutually and forever respected.
On the other hand, it is hard for me to imagine a religion not welcoming a new adherent, even if that person's other family members do not toe the same line. My own denomination advises against being 'unequally yoked', but at the same time talks about the benefits of being a good example. For example, my husband calls the NFL season 'church season', tongue in cheek, and I suppose you could say he adheres to the Church of the Dallas Cowboys. I guess I have more work to do on being an better example, eh?
I found Alison's memoir, titled Between Gods, to be an incredibly touching tale. Even though I am not Jewish, I respect this ancient faith, and my heart broke with her trials and soared with her successes on her journey.
If you have ever struggled to find or determine your identity (and which of us hasn't really), if you can rejoice in the success of others, if you value the strength it takes to share your story (and not just the pretty bits), put this book on your shelf. Then take it off your shelf...and read it.
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AUTHOR INFORMATION
Alison Pick was the Bronwen Wallace Award winner for the most promising writer under thirty-five in Canada. Her first novel is The Sweet Edge, and her second novel, the bestseller Far to Go,
was nominated for the Man Booker Prize, won the Canadian Jewish Book
Award for Fiction, and was named a "Top 10 of 2010" book by the Toronto Star. Between Gods, named a "Best Book" by both the Globe and Mail and CBC, has been nominated for the prestigious BC National Award for Nonfiction.
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I am pleased and honored to be kicking off the tour today. The rest of the schedule can be accessed by clicking on the logo just above. You can also find out how to apply to become a tour host yourself!
(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via TLC Book Tours in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.)
This one sounds good! I'm adding it to my list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kim. I do indeed recommend it!
DeleteSounds interesting. Nice job on the review.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy! I appreciate you!
DeleteI think someone's journey to reclaim their identity and roots might not be an easy one. But finding that is of great importance. Liked the story line of this book. Sounds like an interesting and inspiring read too!
ReplyDeleteOh, it was, Shilpa! I, too, can identify with someone 'searching for herself', and you can bet I was cheering for her along the way!
DeleteI was raised very religious and haven't embraced that as an adult, but I find religious journeys fascinating. This one seems to be no exception!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour!
I've gone in and out of the church experience since I was 12 and was torn a new one by a Sunday School teacher for not giving the 'acceptable' answer. I still consider myself spiritual, however. Thanks for stopping by, Trish!
DeleteI loved your review, LuAnn. This is a book I certainly want to read.
ReplyDeleteIt's true what you say about family secrets. I wonder what my own ancestors went through when they forcibly converted to Catholicism when Goa was ruled by the Portuguese. Imagine the change in culture too. Sadly, there's no record of when this happened. I often wonder at how different our lives would be if they had not converted.
Very sad, indeed Corinne. I'm sure the Native Americans in the US and the First Nations (I think this is what they are called) in Canada feel the same way. I've read stories where young children were sent away from their families to 'white, Christian' schools, could only speak English, wear 'appropriate' clothing, called by Christian names ...etc. On the one hand, the people running the schools thought they were doing the right thing. On the other hand, they did it because they considered natives to be 'inferior'. IMO, one culture should not be valued over another.
DeleteI really liked the style of the memoir, the details of the scenes which immediately tugged us, as readers, into her story, making it read more like a novel (at times) than non-fiction: very inviting!
ReplyDelete