I belong to a few online groups to help with book recommendations. What to read after exhausting favorite authors, that sort of thing. One suggestion looked cute: Playing With Matches by Suri Rosen. Despite the orthodox content, it was actually available on my library network!
But I was wary. OK, why wary? I'll be honest, I've read few books by frum authors that didn't somehow disappoint. Clunky, not flowy, you get the drift.
I made a request for a stack of books from my local library, and chucked that one in too. Why not give it a try?
The first book from my haul, by a best-seller name with rave reviews, was unreadable. The prose was stilted and saccharine. I had to put it down after 15 pages. I rarely put books down.
I then picked up Playing With Matches, and the contrast was amazing. Rosen's words flow pleasantly, even humorously! The plot can be a little farfetched at times, but it doesn't matter. Every time I had to stop reading I was itching to continue. It was a sheer delight.
Rosen, very smartly, doesn't overplay the orthodox card. The characters are frum, but very little is overtly said in terms of observance. Shabbos is matter-of-factly mentioned in passing. As for the dating system, again, no apologies, this is how we do it people, moving on.
It's simply a story, and the characters happen to be religious. It's more about bein adam l'chaveiro then bein adam l'Makom, and the importance of owning our actions, which is a good message.
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