Whimsical Wednesday

5 Flames

Good Evening my Fellow Book Dragons,

This evening’s gem came to me in a heart shaped box, the heart was riddled with cracks as though it had been broken many times and yet it had been put back together by a Mighty Hand. As I held the box in my claws, it pulsated within and I could feel a great energy. I slowly opened the box and light filled my library. A gem lay there in the shape of the Star of David and it’s sapphire blue continued to light the room as it told it’s tale.

This is Gem Maker Sarah Lavane’s “Unmatched”. She takes us on a journey of faith, laughter and tears as she tells of her mystifying journey to find a soulmate while upholding her Orthodox Jewish beliefs.

Her tales of dating woes and singlehood within a culture where wife and motherhood are central to a happy life, to fitting in and being seen as a woman and not a girl made me laugh and, more than once, have to get the tissues.

She tells of her parent’s own struggles to find a mate after World War II and how two people, despite language barriers, came together to build an Orthodox Jewish home with four children.

Sarah herself upholds the faith and values of her family. Her search for a mate is fettered with obstacles and her clever names for the men she has dated along the way, matchmakers (both professional and the well meaning), and even computer dating.

Who are these men? I don’t do spoilers but I’ll give you one example. There is Singular, who, despite a dozen different run ins , feels they aren’t compatible, but then marries a woman he barely knows. The dates, the coincidences, all of it, are both funny amd sad.

The folks who try to help by introducing her to men are just as funny and sometimes infuriating. Why would anyone set someone up on a date with a person who obviously has nothing in common with the other person?

But this tale is about more than going on dates. It’s really a journey of learning to rely on God, of learning who oneself truly is and being the type of person who holds to those values she finds important and fundamental to her very soul and doesn’t compromise these pearls she holds dear. Something we don’t see enough of in this world of fast and loose.

Whether you are single or married or divorced, I recommend reading this book. In all my years I have never read anything like this. Sarah lets us in on not only her Jewish Culture but Womanhood in general.

If you only read one memoir this year, make it this one. You’ll find it on Amazon and other book sellers.

Join me next Friday for another gem.

Sincerely, Your Humble Book Dragon,

Drakon T. Longwitten

I received a copy of this book for review, my opinions are my own.