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Kaaterskill Falls
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Kaaterskill Falls
Author: Allegra Goodman

Book Information
Publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780385323901 - ISBN-10: 0385323905
Publication Date: 8/10/1999
Pages: 336


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Unabridged)

Book Description:
In the summer of '76, the Shulmans and the Melishes migrate to Kaaterskill, the tiny town in upstate New York where Orthodox Jews and Yankee year-rounders live side by side from June through August. Elizabeth Shulman, a devout follower of Rav Elijah Kirshner and the mother of five daughters, is restless. She needs a project of her own, outside her family and her cloistered community. Across the street, Andras Melish is drawn to Kaaterskill by his adoring older sisters, bound to him by their loss and wrenching escape from the Holocaust. Both comforted and crippled by his sisters' love, Andras cannot overcome the ambivalence he feels toward his children and his own beautiful wife. At the top of the hill, Rav Kirshner is coming to the end of his life, and he struggles to decide which of his sons should succeed him: the pious but stolid Isaiah, or the brilliant but worldly Jeremy. Behind the scenes, alarmed as his beloved Kaaterskill is overdeveloped by Michael King, the local real estate broker, Judge Miles Taylor keeps an old secret in check, biding his time....

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Top Member Book Reviews

Jeanette B. wrote on 2/6/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Go inside the world of orthodox Jewish community members. Does their way of life allow for them to live and insure for their families their religious customs and beliefs, or does their way of life rob them of freedom to persue goals and dreams?

Susan G. (WestofMars) wrote on 12/3/2006...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

A National Book Award Finalist, like much literary fiction, there is a narrative distance between the reader and the happenings on the page. This distance makes it difficult to connect, empathize, or care about the characters and their lives.

Kae P. wrote on 5/2/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is a story of family and trditions. Well written and joy to read.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Pamela L. wrote on 4/23/2009...


Another book I could just not get my head around. I gave up pretty early.

Carolyn E. wrote on 3/1/2007...


From the cover . . . "It is 1976. And the tiny upstate New York town of Kaaterskill Falls is bustling with summer people in dark coats, fedoras, and long, modest dresses. Living side by side with Yankee year-rounders, they are the disciples of ®av Elijah Kirshner. Elizabeth Shulman is a restless wife and mother of five daughters; her imagination transcends her cloistered community. åcross the street åndras Melish is drawn to Kaaterskill by his adoring older sisters. Comforted, yet crippled by his isters' love, he cannot overcome the ambivalence he feels toward his own children and his young wife. At the top of the hill, ®av Kirshner is nearing the end of his life. As he struggles to decide which of his sons should succeed him -- the pious but stolid Isaiah or the brilliant but rebellious Jeremy -- his followers wrestle with their future and their past."

P.J. C. (mizPJ) wrote on 7/4/2006...


Well written, certainly deserving of National Book Award Finalist status

Pat G. wrote on 4/23/2006...


A great book for a book group to read and discuss

Lauren W. wrote on 2/19/2006...


a bit slow moving, but very descriptive characters and great writing.

Kathleen C. (Woodchuck) wrote on 8/18/2005...


from Wraps--National Book Award Finalist, A New York Times NOtable Book, the Philadelphia Inquirer "A glorious tapestry. Every line in this marvelous creation rings true."

Joette H. wrote on 3/9/2005...


Takes place in an upstate NY town of Kaaterskill Falls. A tale of family, tradition, and disciples of a strict Jewish summer community.


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