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There are currently 31 member reviews
for The Family Tabor
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Ann W. (New York, NY)
All is vanity
I am beginning my essay about The Family Tabor, a novel by Cherise Wolas with an excerpt of the diary written by my paternal grandmother, Annie Weinstein. She put the date, 1898 and a quote "All is Vanity". She began, "Determined in 1891 to keep a diary but put it off until I should have something worth writing. I thought of it again in 1894 yet I still decided to wait. Then in 1898 I resolved firmly to start it right then and there and ended by starting it to-day September seventh, 1898. " I was born September 30th, 1879 in Lebau, Russia, now Latvia. Libau, founded in 1625, was until 1914 one of the main ports of the Russian empire.
"My parents were comfortably possessed of this world's goods and so I had no sufferings on that account. I remember very little about Russia as I was about five when I left Russia, for the "Eldorado of the West" the United States. In New York things were very different and from our passage across the Atlantic dates my memory. I remember that my mother and sister were very ill but as I have always been hardy the voyage had very little effect on me. Our first residence in N.Y. was in 61 East Broadway and I remember it was quite a nice street. But here we were very poor and a little later moved to rooms a little cheaper and nicer in 5 Eldridge Street from there we opened a little store at 199? Bryant St. There, as though we were not poor enough we were robbed of almost everything we had. Then to 68 Bayard later to 54 Division where my father fell ill and we almost despaired of his life but Thank God he recovered. From there to 44 Allen St. again to 105 Allen St. and then to 83-1/2 Division where our fortunes turned…
My maternal grandmother was from Bialystok, my grandfather from Kiev. Reading Wolas' novel, I was transported back into my own family history as well as that of the Tabor family. Each of her characters resonated with someone I know. Roma, a child psychologist, is someone I know well as I am a forensic child psychologist. Her daughters, Phoebe, a lawyer and Camille, the anthropologist. My family includes lawyers, economists and others. They become comfortable companions with their brother Simon and his family on this tale of atonement and redemption. We discover the hidden truths, the layers covered on and move forward.
There is some much rich material in this novel. It bears several readings. Camille studied the Triobriand Islands. It was here that Mead studied teenaged girls and published her findings that adolescent "storm and stress" is not universal and continues to stand the test of time. Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski was Mead's mentor. His ethnography of the Trobriand Islands described the complex institution of the Kula ring, and became foundational for subsequent theories of reciprocity and exchange. His approach and that of this novel was a brand of psychological functionalism emphasizing how social and cultural institutions serve basic human needs. This is a wonderful book, reminiscent of Mann's Buddenbrooks but ultimately more hopeful.
Wolas' ends with Leonard Cohen. "If you are the dealer, I'm out of the game. If you are the healer, it means I'm broken and lame. If thine is the glory, then mine must be the shame. You want it darker. We kill the flame. Magnified, sanctified, be thy holy name. Vilified, crucified, in the human frame. A million candles burning for the help that never came. You want it darker. Hineni, hineni. I'm ready, my lord.
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paulagburnett
A Rare Criminal Mystery Not Involving Murder
I enjoyed this book, a rare criminal mystery not involving murder, but something far more common. The family members each have interesting issues, which lead you through the story. However, the premise of a serious financial crime unremembered and the primary perpetrator not prosecuted, not even interviewed, provides the backdrop to the story. Like a Greek tragedy the main character suffers from a fatal character flaw and the plot has seriously unbelievable facts relating to the criminal prosecution, but even so, the theme of creating a satisfying life is interesting and addresses several disparate problems modern Americans face. The book will provide a lively discussion for bookclubs about spiritual needs, marital bliss, life goals and victims. I have so much more to say, but more appropriately discussed with people who have read the book so as not to reveal plot spoilers.
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Suzanne L. (Westport, CT)
Complications and Secrets within families
Each family member has a story to tell. Families are complicated - each member is developed well with a backstory that will keep you reading this novel by Cherise Wolas. I enjoyed it and will read her prior novel now.
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PiperUp
Wolas Excels at Character Development
I loved The Resurrection of Joan Ashby so I had high expectations for The Family Tabor. Cherise Wolas did not disappoint me. Wolas once again excels at character development & describing family dynamics. It's another extremely well written family saga. This book would be a fantastic book club selection & has made me an even bigger fan of Cherise Wolas. I'm once again eagerly anticipating her next book.
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Barbara E. (Rockville, MD)
Lives unwanted/lives desired
I found the "Family Tabor" to be a compelling, though at times, infuriating read. I especially enjoyed the extensive exploration of the lives, hopes, and frustrations of the Tabor children. However, I found Harry and Roma to be frustrating and rather superficially drawn characters. They seemed to be willfully blind to so much in their past and the amnesia on the part of Harry I found rather unbelievable. His decision to go to Israel to atone was understandable, but I found it infuriating that he ignored his first and foremost obligation to ask for forgiveness from his family. His disappearance perplexed and angered me. I also wasn't quite sure why Wolas had included the story of Roma's patient in the narrative. It, to me, only served to belabor the point of running away from problems.
I would highly recommend this as a book club book because of the characters, their deficiencies as well as their virtues, and so many of the questions that are posed by the narrative.
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Debbie M. (Grand Junction, CO)
The Family Tabor
A well written story of a family with many secrets. On the outside, they appear to be the ideal family. As the time approaches when they must publicly lie or come clean, their world starts to come apart. The story shifts from family member to family member. How each chooses to deal with their secret is surprising. An unexpected ending.
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Diane D. (Blairstown, NJ)
Left me discombobulated!
Although I really enjoyed reading the book, especially the way all the characters were brought forth, I felt that the ball was dropped near the end. I would have liked to have had some resolutions in each of their lives, since that was needed, in my opinion.
Without giving anything away, I have to say the last chapter left me up in the air...not really understanding what was going on. I wish the author would have added to it.
Other than that, I think the book was well written.
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