Hush - Eishes Chayil

I have not been keeping up with this blog and since I am trying to procrastinate writing a paper, (or three) I have decided to update the world wide web on whats going on.

In January I was reading one of my favorite author's blog (Kristin Cashore) and she mentioned she was reading a book called Hush - by Eishes Chayil - which is a pseudonym meaning woman of valor. Since the author still lives in an orthodox community, she had to publish under a different name. Though she mentions in an interview (link below) that she doesn't think her community knows about the book or that she has written it. The book looked so good I had to go out and buy it. I HAVE to say it was heart-wrenching.

The book describes a teenage girl about to be married, who grew up in a Chassidic community in Brooklyn. She is remembering her best friend when she was young.  She saw something happen to this friend that no child should see, and as she tells people like: her father, her principle, everyone in her community tells her to be silent - otherwise she will not have a good marriage. As she prepares herself for her marriage nine years later, she wonders whether or not to tell anyone outside the community that has so many walls in place to stop people from speaking out. This book is beautifully written.

The author has a fascinating interviews you can read here, here and here if you are interested.

Alright I have put my paper off long enough - back to the grind stone.