Apparently, it was a question originally posed by Virginia Woolf: “what if Shakespeare had had an equally talented sister?” The author said she decided to write a book that answered the question, although she realized the true answer was probably, “She would have had a family and then died.”
Thanks—I suspect the author is correct that many brilliant women had children, lived quiet lives and died.
A friend recommended The Mathematician’s Shiva, a very engaging novel about a brilliant woman who had children, lived a successful life being brilliant, and died.
I recently finished rereading The Weight of Ink, this time in hardcover rather than an ebook. It felt much more appropriate to be turning pages back and forth and running my fingers across the ink! I liked it just as much the second time; it moved faster for me and I didn’t get sidetracked by trying to follow the philosophy. In fact, this time I could see the philosophical discussions developing Ester’s realization of what God meant to her.
I also saw a major theme of regrets this time around, as had been discussed.
I had remembered Helen’s time in Israel as being much more of the book that it really was. This time I understood that she had run in fear that Dror would think that she couldn’t cope with the life he led. At the end she understood that her fear blocked seeing his hope. There was a brief passage where she pictured what kind of academic life she might have had. But I think she was correct that the brief flare of love would have tremendous trouble holding up in the life she would have led. Making major life changing decisions at age 18 or whatever she was is always risky; just look at some of the threads in this forum!
This time I was able to better appreciate the growing respect and appreciation between Helen and Aaron. Even in his confusion over his love and academic lives, he had her back.
Rivka also came more alive and interesting for me the second time around. This time I could see that she found satisfaction not only in caring for others, but in running a fine household. Shades of Downton Abbey!
While reading it this time, I couldn’t help thinking of a very different book and a very different woman who lived during the same period - Forever Amber. The plague and fire were integral to that book, so it was interesting to in effect see the same situations through different eyes and a different culture.
What struck me strongly this time was Ester’s final writings - her Viddui, i.e. her confession. In Judaism, it can be said when one believes they are about to die as a way to seek a final reconciliation with God. And during the High Holidays (coming up soon), it’s a part of the Yom Kippur service where the congregation comes together to recite a joint public confession. Since Yom Kippur is called the Day of Atonement where one is expected to ask forgiveness of those they have wronged (literally and figuratively), it all fits together and was very appropriate for what Ester had to say.
@Marilyn what a great, thoughtful “second “ review of this book.
Thanks for sharing how your second reading differed from the first time.
I look forward to finishing this book.
Hey friends, I just want to share: When I read The Weight of Ink, I had to look up many things, one of which was Masada. I didn’t know its location, its history or its significance, so off I went to Wikipedia and other sites to educate myself. Fast forward two months later, and through an unexpected (but fortunate) series of events, I will be in Israel for two weeks in June. Day 7: Masada.
I was in Israel in 1986, unfortunately we arrived in Masada about five minutes after the last cable car went up. Oops. Have a great trip!
^ Thanks! It’s not for ages…have to make it through a long midwestern winter first.
I’m rereading The Handmaid’s Tale, as I just got out of the library its brand new sequel, The Testaments. I had forgotten how good it is.
The Handmaids Tale was one of my favorite books when I read it in my 20’s! I absolutely loved it and was so disappointed with the movie version. I am on the wait list for the Testaments at the library and can’t wait to read it. I’ve also really enjoyed watching the TV series on Hulu so it will be interesting to see whether the book sequel will have any impact on the direction of the show.