In this proficient historical, Esther Kaminsky is a deeply conflicted young woman. A product of the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community in Jerusalem in the early 1910s, Esther’s place is to marry and raise children, though she has a gift for painting, something considered an idle pursuit and a sin. After many years of following the rules — she marries, has children and tries to make a home for her family — she takes a wild trip to Paris, where she immerses herself in her art and reconnects with the one man she was ever truly passionate about. When an unspeakable tragedy occurs in Jaffa, however, she must decide who she is and what her life will be. The author draws upon meticulous research to paint a picture of a cloistered community that is both immersive and accessible to outsiders. With an exceptional handle on both place and time, the author lets readers into a foreign world through the eyes of a marvelously human heroine. Granted, the prose is sometimes haltingly clunky, but with some polishing, this heartbreaking work could be enjoyed by many readers. The prologue and epilogue frame the story nicely.

Vivid and amazingly well told. The author brings the reader into the world of a young Jewish girl without abandon. We are lulled into a simple life story of childhood -- until the terrible brutal attack. This is set up to be an enduring story....