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I quite enjoyed The Matzah Ball, by Jean Meltzer. Rachel is the daughter of a
prominent rabbi and a doctor, has myalgic encephalomyelitis (a.k.a.
chronic fatigue syndrome), and is in love with Christmas--to the extent
that she makes her living as a Christmas romance novelist. She's told
she needs to write a Hanukkah book, though, so she determines that she
needs to attend the Matzah Ball, a party being thrown on the eighth
night of Hanukkah by Jacob, who was her camp boyfriend when they were 10
years old.
Having read a bunch of holiday-themed rom coms
lately, I particularly appreciated that both Rachel and Jacob are
flawed. (And I really appreciated that the book does include both POVs.)
A misunderstanding at camp affected both of them, but it's not like
they've spent the last 20 years pining for the other. Jacob has issues
from his upbringing and Rachel is pretty self-absorbed. The two of them
together were good, though.
I also enjoyed getting a look at the
life of more observant Jews; the description of the Shabbat where Jacob
visits Rachel's parents, particularly, was illuminating. It brought me
back to 2002, when I wound up booking a hotel in a quite Jewish
neighborhood, staying on a Saturday night. (There was...not much
available. Also, the elevators stopped on every floor!) I also found the
discussion of Hanukkah interesting--how it is a minor holiday, but the
characters brought their own depths and perceptions to it. And
characters run the gamut from very observant to less; it all felt very
inclusive and realistic.
A big highlight for me was Jacob's
journey and him coming to terms with his past and family issues. He's
truly more than just the love interest in the book; he has his own arc
and adorable, supportive bubbe.
Recommend for a good late-year read.
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