Mishpacha - Family

"The story of four women living together as wives of one man in the modern state of Israel. Each arrives from a different background-the anti-semitism of Communist Russia; the exclusive suburbs of Tel Aviv; the poverty of Yemen; the comforts of Middle class America-to live confined in one home and one family. Each has a separate story-Dana is the daughter of a Russian immigrant; Amelia, of a successful European-Israeli businessman; Beruriah, of Yemenite Jews. Rachel is the daughter of assimilated American liberal Jews. Their stories combine, when their emotional and personal needs bring them to live as one family under one roof with one man, pooling resources and bearing his children. International Proverse Prize Joint-Winner 2009."Passionate." "A saga of women seeking identity." - International Proverse Prize Judges"Outstanding ... I was engrossed. In ... [one] sense the novel deals with a universal issue - the dynamic relationships-between family and state, between cultures, between the varied world-views and motivations possessed by young and old generations. ... Mishpacha touches me deeply. ... the author sensually delivers a vividly colourful story-telling how young women negotiate for favourable lifestyles, love, and power while dealing with family difficulties and ... external forces .... Through the young women's painful experiences, Mishpacha creates an ambitious thinking place in itself - throughout the book it desperately tries to find out: What on earth has my life got to do with this abstract and symbolic homeland? The novel has a rhythm composed by its black humour and sometimes by light humour. It has its own characteristic literary style. ... It is delightful to see that Hong Kong-an international city upholding freedom of creativity - has eventually become the birthplace of 'Mishpacha'." -Yeeshan Yang, author of "Whispers and Moans" and "Palma's Tears".