- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: St. Martin's Press (July 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312265905
- ISBN-13: 978-0312265908
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,499,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'The book is poignant, earthy and engaging' Daily Telegraph 'You will find yourself unable to put the book down' London Jewish News 'Spanning the generations Shifra Horn spins a magic web' Jewish Telegraph 'A rich and magical tale' The Bookseller
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Rosa's start in life is far from auspicious; born days after her father's murder, her first experiences take place against a soundtrack of guns. She grows into a voracious beauty and though a prophesy leads her to believe she will have four husbands, nothing prepares her for the life she will lead.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Another magical,charming and often amusing Jerusalem story from Shifra Horn.Rosa the voluptuous central figure has three husbands( all of whom die directly or indirectly from their relationship with Rosa) and has eight children,the youngest being the most tragic but beloved named Angel. Horn's characters are colourful and emotional and highly sensual.The story has a fairy tale quality and never fails to entertain. For those who enjoyed Four Mothers this will be another highly satisfying read.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
7 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Definitely not a favourite
26 Feb 2002
Format:Hardcover
Rosa is a larger than life woman both physically and spirtually. Life begins in the Arab-vacated section of West Jerusalem. With her mother and uncle she shares a house with other inhabitants; other refugees like themselves from the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and Holocaust survivors from Europe.
Impregnated at 14 by her uncle, who then became her first husband, she had 8 children by him. A firmly held belief during childhood prophecised she would have 4 husbands. Much to the delight of the community this prophecy appeared to be coming true. The premise sounded interesting, but for me the book was a huge disappointment.
The characterization of Rosa came across as obese and lazy having one child after another. The story had no depth, no direction and wandered aimlessly from one frivolous and meaningless non-event to the next. Her children, her husbands, her friends were all fleetingly mentioned - there were no characterizations -they were just there.
Rosa is depicted as this beautiful sexual woman that men lusted after and who unbelievably grew more beautiful with age - even as a grandmother. When she had put on so much weight that the doors in her house had to be widened to enable her to get through them, she still remained this passionately beautiful being! During her various wedding ceremonies, her husbands' erections were evident as were the rabbis - Ugh!
On numerous occasions I put the book down in frustration - the storyline was going everywhere, but nowhere. I found the writing mechanical - perhaps the story was lost in the translation. It was a chore to get through this book and I only finished it because I didn't have anything else to read.
I do not recommend this book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
And who WAS the fairest among women?
13 Feb 2003
Format:Hardcover
I liked this book. As I riffled through the pages, it felt as if I were drifting along in a slow moving stream of life. It was warm and subtle and intriguing. When you are finished reading the book, answer this question: who WAS the fairest among women? Was it Rosa or her daughter, Angel? My favorite scenes in the book were with the gallery of portraits on the bedroom wall. If you liked "The Magician's Assistant" you'll like this one.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A disappointment
4 Jan 2003
Format:Hardcover
Although The Fairest Among Women held my attention until the end, I felt disappointed by the book. The book was entirely centred on its main character, Rosa, with all other characters peripheral and little attention paid to the setting of post-war Israel. The book had an unusual style - I wouldn't describe it as magic realism but it was certainly not a believable, realistic story either. I found it hard to accept that the grossly obese Rosa, "the fattest woman in Israel", could also be so incredibly beautiful. The author appeared to be trying to make Rosa a character who was extreme in every way, but it just seemed bizarre ... maybe I didn't get the whole concept of the book. I thought the premise of the book was good but I did not enjoy the way it was executed.
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