Teaser Synopis:
In a sweeping, beautifully written story, Joan Leegant weaves together three lives caught in the grip of a volatile and demanding faith. Emotionally wrenching and unmistakably timely, Wherever You Go shines a light on one of the most disturbing elements in Israeli society: Jewish extremist groups and their threat to the modern, democratic state. This is a stunningly prescient novel.
"He turned back to the terrible bed. It looked like the bed of a prisoner, the brutal metal frame, the cheap narrow mattress. He straightened the sheets, smoothed the thin blanket, tried to fluff up the sorrowful pillow, making it up as best he could so that if she ever came back, she would know that someone had been there who had loved her and cared for her and hoped that she would be all right."This is the type of writing where I can really lose myself in the story and never want to come up for air. I was truly amazed at how much this story impacted me because it's a quiet story with two out of the three main characters who are quiet people. The author took me into Israel...an Israel that I have never really seen ,nor ever experienced quite like this. I feel that this is a timely book in regards to the current hostilities that Israel has been facing and though it doesn't go into detail regarding the problems with the Palestinians, it does give you a few glimpses into the lives of the Jewish people that live there. Some are strictly religious and follow the Talmud without question, while others are just happy to try to co-exist with their Arab neighbors. I liked the way the author had the characters lives intersect and what happened after that one fateful event!
p. 154
After reading this paragraph I had to stop and really mull it over for a while...
The muezzin was finishing his chant. First to the east, then to the west, then north and south. It seemed to Yona to be a live human voice, though she'd heard they were often recordings now. In some cities, the honor used to go to a man who was blind so that when he ascended the minaret to sing out his cries, he wouldn't be able to see into the courtyard of his fellow citizens and violate their privacy.[p.185-186]
But listening now--Allah u Akbar! Allah u Akbar! God is great! God is great!--Yona wondered if perhaps only a blind man could bear to do it. If maybe all calls to the faithful, of all religions, were made by those who were blind. The trumpet charge to the Crusades, the whipped-up cries for jihad, the pumped-up settler rallies in Zion Square refusing to withdraw, to Never forgive! Never forget! Because that way they would never have to see what it was they were calling for.
Recommend? Yes, without hesitation. This is a book that will draw you in slowly and has a certain rhythm to it...hard to explain exactly, but I was captivated by each character's story and how their choices and decisions would impact their happiness and the direction of their life.
Rating: 8/10
Published: July 25, 2011
Publisher: W.W. NortonPages: 253Genre: Literary FictionISBN: 9780393339895
Joan Leegant is also the author of a story collection, An Hour In Paradise, winner of the 2004 PEN/L.L. Winship Award for outstanding book by a New England author and the Edward Lewis Wallant Award, as well as a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award and selection for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Series. Formerly a lawyer, for eight years she taught writing at Harvard University. The mother of two adult sons, she divides her time between Newton, Massachusetts and Tel Aviv, where she teaches at Bar-Ilan University. For more about Joan Leegant, visit:
www.joanleegant.com 
© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Wowwwwwwwwww! This sounds good! :):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteI read this book back in April for the Jewish Literature Challenge and I loved it. Glad to find someone else who does too. Short stories aren't my favourite in recent years but I too like her writing very much and will read her collection. One can only hope she'll write more novels. Thanks for reviewing this and reminding me of a good reading experience.
ReplyDeleteI do love the except you introduced us to. I need to make time for this one from my shelves.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a timely book. You've made me very curious about that fateful event!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when you can get lost in a really good story? Sounds like yet another for my list...
ReplyDeleteI have to be in the right mood for quiet books, but this one sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI've heard many good things about this book! I too sometimes get totally knocked out by "quiet" stories!
ReplyDeleteI generally like quiet stories too. I think it takes more talent for a writer to write quiet stories than more obvious, in-your-face type stories.
ReplyDeleteI like books that have a rythym and draw you in, nice review.
ReplyDeleteBased on the passages you included, the writing does sound fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI have this book and am planning to read it later this month - it sounds absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review and for being on the tour. I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.
I love a well written book. Great review Staci. I'm going to keep an eye out for this one.
ReplyDeleteI think it will work, or I would give up after 5 pages. I do get that feeling and I would just have to try it to see
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm to be the only one who did not like this book. There is a lot to like, just not for me. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more. Hard to put into the correct words :) Great job Staci.
ReplyDeleteThis does look like a timely book. I don't read many book set in Israel but this one has be curious.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you gave high praise to this one - I am reading it for a read-along with Avis next month!
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing this book around and I'm intrigued by the story. I'm glad to see you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any interest in visiting Isreal, so I'm going to pass on this one.
ReplyDeleteI really liked that quote, too. Leegant's writing did appeal to me and it was so interesting to be reading a book like this and then have the whole Palestine as a state issue come up at the UN.
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