Customer Reviews

In Every Laugh A Tear

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With dialogue that was, at times, less than smooth, and carrying perhaps a bit too much detail, still, Leslea Newman's In Every Laugh A Tear is a wonderful book. It is a believable and touching story of one woman's experience with having a loved one placed in a nursing home. Shayna Steinblatt and her beloved Bubbe, Tzeidl are so real I found I was immediately connected to their lives. The loving granddaughter, Shayna Steinblatt isn't part of the decision to place her grandmother in a home, and as this story unfolds, the reader will share her concern and anger over the situation. I also sympathized with Bubbe and her loss of freedom. Told from the daughter's perspective, the woman who'd made the "nursing home decision" (Shayna's mother) is painted in villainous colors. The reader will admit however that such a decision never sets well, even when it is "for the best." Leslea Newman did an excellent job of addressing an issue not many books address, and she did it with heart, humor, and realism. I would have liked more details on the grandmother's life as a girl growing up in the old country, but loved the snippets that WERE included. I also appreciated the veracity of "community" as it was depicted in the nursing home setting. It's amazing how quickly friendships and a sort of family develop in this setting. It is clear in this book, that this community is vital for the resident's survival. The only character that wasn't fully drawn was Shayna's own mother. This may very well reflect the fact that Shayna herself does not have a full picture of her mother. It's unfortunately true that we don't always see clearly those we are closest to... Through conversations with her grandmother, Shayna catches a glimpse of what the relationship between a mother and daughter could be. The lesbian angle of this book was a joy and added additional truth to the story for me. True romance, a true sense of family, humor, sorrow, this one has it all.

What caught my eye about this book was it's title. The relationships in this book are what alot of people wish they had in their lives. Shayna has many best friends, her Bubbe, her friend, Pearl, and her lover, Luz. The relationship she has with her mother is something I think alot of people can relate to, and understand. the conflicts that arise, and the love that is shown when they do, shows alot humaness. We should all be this lucky in our own lives as to have such meaningful and wonderful friendships, whether it is with our mother, grandmother, friend, or lover. This book is a must read.

not many books tuched me the way this book has, and i am forever faithful to Leslea Newman. She is a combination i love: Agreat and talented writer, a woman, a jewess and a proud lesbian.I am looking forward a new book of hers.

This is a beautiful book about a relationship between a grandmother, Tzedyll, and granddaughter, Shayna. It is also a romance, a story of friendship, and a story of conflicts between generations. Shayna is a Jewish lesbian, and this book is on opportunity to learn from her perspective. The book starts out a little slowly, but soon becomes very engaging. Newman is very skilled at characterization. You will very likely become emotionally involved with these characters.

A powerful book on the relationships between mother, daughter, grandmother and lover. A moving book that reminds us how important family, relationships and life is to us. The book hooks you in from the very begginning and will not let you put it down until you have run out of tisssue. This is the first book I have read by the author, and it will not be the last.

I really like this book. It was refreshing. I was pleasantly surprise that the focus was on family and not lesbianism so much.

As I read the book, I couldn't help but draw parallels in my own relationship with my late Grandmother, my best friend. We are reading the book for our Book Club and I cannot wait for next week to arrive so I can discuss the book with others. The lesbian angle lended a very human picture to the story without detracting from the book's real message; the message of family, love and loss. This is a must read!