Disobedience

By: Naomi Alderman

Narrated by: Rachel Atkins

In a cramped synagogue in north-west London, the eminent elderly rabbi passes away. On the other side of the Atlantic, his estranged daughter, Ronit, hears of her father's death and returns to London for the funeral. She has not returned home in 15 years.

Ronit looks forward to a week or two of revisiting old friends, perhaps settling old scores. But she finds the community she grew up in a more confusing place than she'd anticipated. Particularly when she is unexpectedly reunited with Esti, her childhood sweetheart, who has taken a very different path in life....

Disobedience is a hugely enjoyable and warm-hearted portrayal of characters caught between two worlds, and a wise exploration of sexuality, tolerance and faith.

Now a major motion picture starring Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams.

©2006 Naomi Alderman (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"A bold comic touch.... Like Brick Lane, offering a glimpse of a closeted and surprisingly English nook of British society." (Observer)

"A fresh, feisty peek at the hidden world of London’s Orthodox Jewish Community." (The Independent)

Story ok, voices horrible

They picked the wrong voices for these characters. Ronit sounds like a cartoon villain and it’s hard to connect to her.

Beautiful and Quiet

It's beautiful. It's quiet, and emotional, and unique. I loved it. The story and performance were both amazing.

For anyone who struggles with formal religion

3 main characters struggle with identity and desire in a close knit orthodox community. They each transition to different and yet reasonable places . The triggering event is the death of someone who was a nurturing father figure to all three. I thought the book meaningful and enjoyable

Movie is MUCH better

The flow of the story didn't allow for true connection between the two women. There was too much focus on insignificant details vs. spenidng more time on the relationships and tension of their attraction. It didn't need to end with everyone happy, but I felt wanting much much more.

Excellent story dinged by poor narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it especially to someone who does not know how the Hebrew and Yiddish should be pronounced.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Disobedience?

When Esti is in Hamden seeing how the secular world acts on a Friday afternoon. Her description of Shabbat and what it means to her is stunning especially against the backdrop of her reason for being there.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

As I said - the narration was OK except for the mispronunciation of the Hebrew and Yiddish. At times it was comical because she said words that mean other things...

If you could take any character from Disobedience out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Ronit - I feel like I would like to hear more about her life in the orthodox community vs. her life outside.

I guess I did like it, I guess.

Is the second Alderman’s book I read and at the begging and at the end I had the same feelings. First it was a drag, then it got interesting! Quite interesting. The end was, I don’t know, ok? I guess. I came to realize she shows us humanity at its vulnerable state. Doesn’t mean because of that I related to the characters, but I understood them and that was refreshing.

No Jews to help with Narration?

So many of the Hebrew words were mispronounced, I sometimes wasn't sure what the narrator was talking about. Seems somewhat lazy on the production team to not have a more knowledgeable Jew help with those words. Totally distracted me from an otherwise excellent novel.

Orthodox Jewish Women

Would you listen to Disobedience again? Why?

Yes, need to understand what the author is going through as a modern Jewish Women.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I liked the end. It reflected how I felt as a Jewish Women in America in the 20th Century.

Have you listened to any of Rachel Atkins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The Hebrew pronunciation of many words was incorrect and that bothered me. If you don’t know Hebrew you would enjoy her British accent. The author is British make it more meaningful to use this narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved by her decision about being a Jew and/or a lesbian. She is bi-sexual but explains that unlike African Americans, Jews and Lesbians can choose to ignore their differences and keep others from knowing they are different. This may cause some from feeling isolated but know one questions their behavior. One must admit to being different.

Any additional comments?

It is important to know where you come from and where you are going in America. This seems to be the message the author is communicating to all readers. Be yourself!

I was not really for this book to end.

A fascinating portal of a religious community, spirituality and same sex relationships. Naomi Alderman once again shines as a feminist author for our generation.

Simply Disobedient.

Great story and voice acting. I could not put it down. An amazing view into a very different world.