THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

The life of Chenia Arnow as told through her daughter Devorah’s view.

 

Chenia and her sister Ruchel immigrate from Russia to the USA.  In the 1950’s, Chenia and Ruben Arnow marry and become the parents of Sheldon and Mimi, now school aged children.  Chenia, in her mid-forties, faces the unwanted pregnancy with Devorah.

Neither Chenia nor Ruben feel happy in their marriage; Ruben is a handsome guy, with a temper, Chenia is a beauty, but simply unfulfilled.  Ruben cheats on Chenia with Trudy Fleisch, a married woman.  Trudy and Ruben share a long time romance.  Chenia is unsuspecting.

After an abusive episode, Chenia decides to end her marriage, her pregnancy, and all her unhappiness so heads for the beach.  However the water is unpleasantly rough so she struggles back to shore where meets she Harry Taubman, who, after watching her from a distance, comes to see if she is all right.  Chenia and Harry soon begin a relationship where she discovers moments of happiness.

After a fateful decision by Ruben, Chenia, both warm and personable, as well as and naïve and clever, learns she must manage her life on her own terms.

 

Told with a lovely sense of humor, the novel extends not only to a story of immigrants, but to relationships, and to the disappointments in and power of love.