Hush

by Eishes Chayil

Overview

Perfect for fans of Unorthodox, this emotionally haunting story—one of both humor and depth—is of sexual abuse within the secluded orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn.

Inside the closed community of Brooklyn, where most Chassidim live, the rules of life are determined by an ancient script written thousands of years before—and abuse has never been a part of it. But when thirteen-year-old Gittel learns her best friend has been sexually assaulted by one of her own family members, her the adults in her community try to convince Gittel, and themselves, that nothing happened. Forced to remain silent, Gittel begins to question everything she was raised to believe.

A nuanced exploration of a complex world, one of understanding and horror, this story illuminates the conflict between yesterday's traditions and today's reality.

A Morris Award Honor Winner
A Sidney Taylor Award Winner

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802723321
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	02/28/2012
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

EISHES CHAYIL is a pseudonym meaning woman of valor, chosen by JUDY BROWN when Hush was first published because of feared backlash from her community. Since publication, Judy's identity has been revealed, she has left the Chassidic community, and she has been profiled in The New York Times Magazine. Judy was raised in a world of Chassidic schools, synagogues, and summer camps and is a direct descendant of the major founders of and leaders in the Chassidic world. She holds a master's degree in creative writing and has worked as a journalist for several international Orthodox newspapers. She lives in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

*[A] painful, respectful story of redemption.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“*An engaging coming-of-age story.” —BCCB, starred review

“[Hush] will strike a deep emotional chord.” —VOYA

“I couldn’t put Hush down. Gripping, fascinating and poignant, the book is bravely written. . . .An extremely well-crafted story that keeps you turning pages.” —Teenreads.com

“An extremely well-crafted story that keeps you turning pages.” —Teenreads.com

“*This painful, respectful story of redemption is well-worth delving into.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

From the Publisher

Gr 8 Up—After six long years, Gittel is still haunted by her friend's suicide. Now 17, she knows what happened to Devory and why, but their ultra-Orthodox Jewish community has refused to accept the truth. The incest that led to Devory's death is not acknowledged, because "that doesn't happen in our community." This thoughtful, disturbing, and insightful novel provides an insider's view of an insular society that denies the reality of rape and oppression within its ranks. Gittel is poised to be married to a good man, the best fate she can obtain. The present action of the story is the unfolding of Gittel's arranged marriage, from negotiations between the families and her only meeting with her intended groom, to the wedding ceremony, young married life and the birth of her first child. But the plot revolves around her internal struggles to reconcile her faith and culture with the awful secrets that she knows and has witnessed. Her own purity—and therefore desirability—is linked to her silence. Speaking out carries too high a cost in a society in which the appearance of holiness and probity is everything. Family and social life within today's Chassidic community are portrayed with affection for the warmth and the enduring values but with a clear eye for the vulnerability of the young and the hurt. When Gittel finally does try to tell her friend's story, she comes up against the powerful men of the community. It is fitting that it is through the written word that both Gittel and the author are able to speak for the Devorys of the world.—Carolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

School Library Journal

Seventeen-year-old Gittel is preparing for marriage, and she hopes the shadchen, the matchmaker, picks a good husband. It's 2009 in this Hasidic Brooklyn neighborhood, where Yiddish is a first language and women work so men can study Torah all day. But if Gittel lives in accordance with God's law, why can't she forget what happened when she was ten years old? Interleaved chapters of Gittel at ten and 17 reveal two heartbreaking stories: the sexual abuse and subsequent suicide of ten-year-old Gittel's best friend, and Gittel's wholly believable breakdown seven years later. The community had lied to the police about the abuse, believing that negative attention is a Chillul Hashem, a transgression of God's name. The shameful cover-up is only one of the aspects of Gittel's community condemned, but just as many are portrayed lovingly: the joy in God, in music, in family. This painful, respectful story of redemption is well worth delving into Yiddish-laden prose. No Chillul Hashem here, but gemilut hasadim and tikun olam: serving the dead in lovingkindness, repairing the world. (Fiction. YA)

Kirkus Reviews