Review (PDF) Michal's Destiny
Siberia 1919. In a Jewish settlement a young woman is about to embark upon her destiny. Her father has arranged a marriage for her and she must comply with his wishes. She has never seen her future husband and she knows nothing about him. Michal’s destiny lies in the hands of fate. On the night of her wedding she is terrified but her mother assures her that she will be alright. Her mother explains that it is her duty to be a good wife, to give her husband children and always to obey him. However, although her mother and her mother’s mother before her had lived this way, this was not to be Michal’s destiny. Terrible circumstances would force Michal to leave her home and travel to the city of Berlin during the Weimar period where she would see and experience things she could never have imagined. Having been a sheltered religious girl she found herself lost and afraid trying to survive in a world filled with contrasts. Weimar Berlin was a time in history when art and culture were exploding, but it was also a period of depravity and perversions. Fourteen tumultuous years passed before the tides began to turn for the young girl who had stood under the canopy and said “I do” to a perfect stranger. Michal was finally beginning to establish her life However, the year was 1933, and Michal was still living in Berlin. Little did she know that Adolf Hitler was about to be appointed Chancellor of Germany and that would change everything forever.
File Size: 702 KB
Print Length: 317 pages
Publication Date: July 28, 2016
Sold by: Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01J0JW0MM
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #5,493 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #2 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Regional & Cultural > European > German #2 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Drama & Plays > Continental European #18 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Jewish
Starts with coming of age of young Jewish couple but then develops into fascinating plot over many years. Characterizations and theirinteractions are excellently described. It centers also on romance and hardships. The plot is overall depressing but seems realistic. Yet it also isa story of survival during early Nazi years. Writing style keeps reader's ongoing attention even with probably accurate historical references. Idealdiscussion groups' questions e.g. who, what, when, and how is our future determined? Eagerly await a sequel.
Roberta Kagan has a way of writing books that are like taking a ride back in time. You will feel the character fear and pain, it's like you're a person back in her time. She writes in a form that is very easy but amazing. She my favorite author about the Holocaust. She tells things through her character that are like a history lesson through someone who lived it. Her characters seems so real, it's like you're Papa telling a story. Alike her all my love detrick series I can't wait for this series to unfold, I'm waiting for the next book. This story is based on Holocaust Nazi times, alike many of Kagan books. This book is great.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.First of all, there is much to like about Michal's Destiny. The characters are well drawn and sympathetic, the writing is engaging, and the book focuses on a less known part of Jewish history. I enjoyed it enough that after reading the first few chapters of the free copy, I splurged and bought the actual book from . Ideally, I would've given the book 4 1/2 stars, but that wasn't an option so I went with 4 stars instead.The reason I took off a star was because of a few factors.1. Although Michal starts off as incredibly frum and dedicated to Orthodox traditions, she changes rapidly after she leaves her homeland. I find it hard to believe that a widow who's horrified at the thought of remarriage, to another Jew at that, changes enough to have a lusty affair while her husband is off playing the field.2. The book ends very abruptly at the brink of WWII. Michal seems relatively unconcerned about Hitler's rise to power, though perhaps many Jews felt that way. Certainly, most didn't try to escape until the writing on the wall was clear. From a literature point of view though, the book just ends. You turn the page expecting to find a continuation of the story and instead there's an acknowledgement page. Even though this is meant to be part of a series, an ending should feel like an ending.That said, Michal's Destiny has a lot of merit and is an enjoyable story that gives insight into Jewish culture in the early 20th century. I would recommend adding it to your library!
I have read all of Kagan's books and loved them. Michal's Destiny was a page turner. The characters are so rich and real. However, I didn't expect the "non ending." How long until the continuation of the next book???
Roberta Kagan writes fantastic books! I am so happy that I discovered this author. The time period she writes about is very tumultuous and one that there needs to be more written about. Michal's destiny is well written and keeps you interested. I had a hard time putting this book down. I hope the next book comes quickly! I cannot wait. You will love this book.
I am not one to write reviews but I loved this book. The characters were likeable and it seemed like they were real. After reading the book I thought it was more about doing what they had to do to get by in life. It was also about forgiving. They both had to reach deep inside them to forgive each other. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
This book took my breath away. I could not put it down.Thankfully there will be a sequel and hopefully soon. I have read all of Roberta Kagans books and they just get better and better. If you like WW2 novels filled with love of family and lots of historical facts , do not miss out on this great book. You will not be disappointed.
There were a number of typos and errors toward the beginning of the book. (There are no "I dos" under the chupa.), but it gets better as the book progresses. Michal grows up in Siberia. Her father is abusive and home and arrange her marriage at the age of to Avram, a shoemaker. She secretly is attracted to Taavi, a carpenter, although she has never spoken to him, but her father doesn't ask and although Jewish law requires her consent, she is too afraid of her father to protest. The two muddle through a marriage, but she does not get pregnant. Then the classic pogrom by Cossacks, when Avram gets beheaded, Michal raped and then saved by Taavi. They flee to the forest where Taavi knows of an old woman who lives in the woods and would take them in. Taavi goes back to their town to gather his tools and some possessions, but strangely does not check to see if either his parents or Michal's family is still alive. Eventually they leave and go to Berlin. Through misunderstandings they lose each other for several years, but finally find each other and raise a family. We all know what is coming. The story ends at Kristallnacht, leaving a "cliffhanger" with Michal and Tavvi disappearing at police headquarters. The book started out weak, but got better.I read a free ARC for an honest review. I got invested enough in the characters to want to read the next installment.
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