It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. I expect this will be the first novel in a great literary career.
I read this wonderful story on my flight from California to New York. I liked the characters, their very real feelings & the scene placements. Bits and Ash Kellerman’s family unraveled when their younger sister, Alena, was kidnapped and never found. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Diana Spechler's writing is graceful and engaging, her characters are vivid, and her story was completely captivating. I like a Jewish story with authentic terms used also. Harper Perennial; 1st Edition (September 23, 2008), Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2009. Who by Fire tells the story of Ash and Bits, a brother and sister whose younger sister Alena had been kidnapped more than a decade ago. Something went wrong. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 24, 2017. Please try again. No matter what your family background we can all relate to the three characters: Ash, Bits, or the mother in some way. Like Fox News, Ms. Spechler's motto seems to be, "we present; you decide. I gave a signed edition to my mother for Christmas as well as recommended it to all who would listen.
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Though the ending is overly tidy, Spechler's debut raises provocative questions about religion, violence and the resilience of families and individuals. Diana Spechler received her MFA from the University of Montana and was a Steinbeck Fellow at San José State University from 2004 to 2005. Her disappearance led to the break-up of their parents' marriage, and their father's disappearance from their lives. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. But, I am willing to share. I liked that each chapter (some of them less than 2 pages) was either the mother, Bits or Ash speaking. She explores the brainwashing and deprogramming that compete for the hearts and pocketbooks of college and post-college youth, largely American, who seek to explore and find their own identities in an otherwise secularly-dominated society. I can't wait to read more from Diana Spechler! Each chapter was told from a different characters perspective with their own unique voice. Please try again. I stumbled upon this book as it was recommended in a review I read for another book (that I've since forgotten). The family is saved from total dissolution when the siblings' mother Ellie announces that Alena's body has been found, and that Ash must return for the funeral. The dialogue is natural and easy and each character quickly develops their own voice. It's such a beautifully written story (and I'm not saying that because she was my professor) that takes your breath away. The premise for this flawed if occasionally gripping debut novel is interesting. Soon, we become aware that she has a much more ambitious plan in mind, particularly after she meets up with 'cult expert' Jonathan, who is determined to save her son. I loved this book and would recommend it to any fiction fan looking for a great read. Ash, who blames himself for the kidnapping, runs off to Israel and joins an Orthodox yeshiva. I discovered a new writer! In this girl's quest to extract her brother from an ultra-orthodox Jewish center of study and contemplation, the girl herself has to examine and overcome her own hangups. There was a problem loading your book clubs. And can Bits, who seems incapable of getting her own life together, manage to get her own brother back to America? This was amazingly good, considering the subject matter. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Sharp and captivating, Who by Fire deftly explores what happens when people try to rescue one another. This pushes their mother over the edge, and she insists that Bits go to Israel to convince Ash to come home. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average.
What more could you want in a novel? Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2008. Now Bits is traveling across the world in a bold and desperate attempt to bring her brother home and salvage what's left of their family. When their mother informs them that her remains have finally been discovered, it's up to wild child Bits to go to Israel and convince her now Orthodox Jew brother to come home for a memorial service--no easy feat as he's been out of touch with the family since entering the yeshiva. The irresponsible oldest daughter, Bits, seeks out random sexual encounters with near strangers to fill the voids in her life. A wonderful book!
She lives in New York City. Thirteen years later, Ash is living as an Orthodox Jew in Israel, cutting himself off from his mother, Ellie, and his wild-child sister, Bits. It makes you reflect on your family experiences and say "Wow, I'm glad we're not like them" or "I wish I could have that with my sister." Diana Spechler flawlessly intertwines them into a heartwarming, funny, yet tragically honest portrayal of the bonds that hold a family together. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Bits, a teacher, loses herself in promiscuous sex. There are so many unexpected surprises you don't get bored and keep turning the pages! This is a novel, a story. A character driven family drama, Who By Fire is the work of a stunning new talent. Please try again. Let me introduce you to one of the most exciting new novelists in years, Diana Spechler. ", Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2008. This novel was absolutely amazing. Unable to add item to List. Siblings Ash (Asher) and Bits (Beatrice) have never got over the loss of their little sister Alena, who was kidnapped on the way home from school at the age of seven, and has not been seen or heard of since. Bits’ adventures as she attempts to bring her brother home and deal with the ensuing family crisis provide this above-average debut novel with plenty of dramatic tension. Son Ash, meanwhile, dabbles in a variety of compulsive behaviors before settling on Orthodox Judaism, cutting himself off from the rest of the family and moving to Jerusalem. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. But soon he may have to face them again; Alena's remains have finally been uncovered. Diana Spechler's debut novel, Who By Fire, is brilliant. Please try your request again later.
I bought a few copies for holiday gifts already and would suggest it for any book club as well. Of course, like most of us, her final resolution seems to be a matter more of happenstance than of planning. A couple of the substories did not really come to fruition but they were subtle enough not to throw the readers attention. We also get a closeup view of the practices and fears of the orthodox Jewish man.
There's a problem loading this menu right now. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. But is it only Ash's presence at the funeral that Ellie requires? Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Bits refuses, but when Alena’s remains are recovered, her mother is insistent that the family be together for the funeral. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission.
Story draws you in with characters you care about, Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2010. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. The mother, Ellie, enlists the help of a charismatic stranger to help save Ash from what she views as a cult, and when Alena's remains are discovered, Bits determines to bring Ash home for their sister's long-overdue memorial service. Indeed, it hardly ever exposes a point of view. When he refuses, Bits determines to set out for Israel to bring him back. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, + No Import Fees Deposit & $7.58 Shipping to Singapore. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. In Who by Fire novelist Diana Spechler gives readers a compelling, haunting, picturesque and unique look at the conflicts and inner doubts experienced by the Ba'alai Techuva (returnees to Judaism) who are an almost ubiquitous but also largely hidden feature of the Jerusalem landscape. and having no real friends; Ash (who was with Alena when she disappeared and blames himself) discovered Orthodox Judaism as a teenager after being rejected by a girlfriend; this eventually leads to his quitting college and running away to Israel to study. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books.
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