When life is at its best, the unimaginable can shatter everything you think you know...
Abigail Samuels has no reason to feel anything but joy on the morning her life falls apart. The epitome of the successful Jewish American woman, she is married to a well-known and respected accountant and is in the middle of planning her daughter Kayla's wedding. Kayla, too, wakes up that morning with the world in the palm of her hand. Having lived the charmed life of a well-loved child from a happy family, she is bright, pretty, a Harvard law student who has never really questioned the path she found herself on.
With a shocking suddenness, all that is smashed to pieces in ways they could never have dreamed. When a heartbroken Kayla runs away to a desert commune run by a charismatic mystic, Abigail rushes to save her, only to find that there is nothing more whole than a broken heart.
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"I adored this book, despite the fact that Ragen switches POVs throughout scenes (usually something I cannot tolerate). The characters were all so multi-faceted and believable, so fleshed-out, all their actions and views understandable and sympathetic. I loved Abigail's and Kayla's introspections, the scenes in Boston and Israel, those beautiful prayers with Natan. I only hope I can find the rest of Ragen's novels I haven't read yet."
— Paula (5 out of 5 stars)
A page-turner illustrating the horrifying consequences of becoming embroiled in the American legal system.
— Kirkus" I was disappointed. Felt the story was a bit rushed, characters weren't developed well enough and the plot was a bit contrived. Was disappointed in the ending. "
— Peggy, 2/19/2014" I bought this book after hearing Naomi Ragen speak about how her life changed so dramatically when false accusations were made against her. In that context, this book was very interesting, as the lives of the characters in this book were almost ruined as a consequence of accusations made against them. On its own, though, I thought the book was just ok. A good plot and quick read, but a little flat. "
— Naomi, 2/14/2014" Loved this book. It is a nice story about parents and daughter relationships and their quest to find themselves. "
— Karen, 2/14/2014" I love this author. She is so tought provoking and her novels really make you stop and think about what is really important in life. I really enjoyed this book but I fealt that the ending was a bit rushed. She could have spent more time developing an ending instead of leaving it so abrupt "
— Leah, 2/9/2014" I loved this book. For me it was a page turner. I am a big fan of Naomi Ragen and this book certainly didn't disappoint me. "
— Solkon, 2/5/2014" My jewish friends will like this book although it is a bit hokey I finished it very quickly. "
— Lkgallop, 1/31/2014" I was really disappointed with this book - it read like a Harlequin romance. I have read many of Naomi Ragen's older books and really liked them but I didn't like this one much at all. The language was too flowery, the story not believable, the characters making life changing decisions in the blink of an eye. The Israel descriptions are very believable having been there but otherwise I think this storyline almost seemed ridiculous. I would not recommend this book - sorry Naomi.... "
— Beth, 1/24/2014" One of my favorite books of all time was The Ghost of Hannah Mendes"- this does not compare, but Ragen takes a potentially "real life" situation and her connection with faith, God and Israel takes center stage. Worth the read, and there were some passages I actually highlighted. "
— Miriam, 1/18/2014" Jewish family...father accused of funding terrorists - daughter flees to Israel and 'finds her calling/self/love'. An uneven book.... "
— Dottie, 1/9/2014" It started out slow but did pick up. A nice Jewish family, daughter attending Harvard Law school. Father is a CPA who has his own company. The father is picked up by the FBI for sending money to terrorist organizations. Interesting and shows how it affects the whole family. "
— Sande, 1/3/2014" A great soul searching story. "
— Martha, 1/2/2014" About a Jewish family--mostly their youngest daughter. It was O.K. "
— Wanda, 1/1/2014" Sounded interesting, but I'm having a lot of trouble feeling something for the characters. They are really difficult to like. "
— Liz, 12/21/2013" Having enjoyed the author's earlier books, I was very disappointed with this one. The characters are caricatures. I don't know that I'll try another one by Ragen. A waste of an audible credit. "
— Lynne, 12/10/2013" I really enjoyed this book but I felt the quick tidy up ending was a bit lacking. Still I would read other books by her. "
— Nancy, 11/22/2013" Maybe a 2.5.....story of a Jewish accountant accused of laundering money for terrorist groups and the havoc it wrecks on his life and the life of his family when he is arrested. Wraps up a little too neatly and quickly. Some good thoughts scattered throughout, but just didn't quite do it for me. "
— Heather, 7/4/2013" This was an unsuspected great read. It's a "thinker" throughout some parts, but I definitely enjoyed it. "
— Ashley, 6/6/2013" Ragen is a good writer. I rated the book four stars until the end. She ties everything up too neatly. "
— Donna, 6/2/2013" I usually love Naomi Ragen's books but this one was a real disappointment. The entire story was so contrived! Really quite silly. "
— Betty, 4/24/2013" A Jewish account is accused of helping launder money for a terrorist group. The story os his family--reactions and actions. People shun them as they fight to redeem their identity. Sometimes sweet, sometimes sappy, sometimes great pearls of wisdom reavealed. "
— Trudy, 2/21/2013" It was an enjoyable read, but the actions of some of the characters stretched my ability to suspend belief - and I have an incredible ability to suspend belief! "
— Anita, 12/26/2012" Not as good as all the other books by Naomi Ragen.. I kept waiting for it to get better.. and it just never did. There was no depth to the story, you just were wanting more the entire time "
— Jodi, 12/6/2012" It was a bit predictable - father gets in trouble, spoiled daughter flees, then helps to prove his innocence. Love angle for daughter also predictable, but a couple of twists and some great insights in the book. Well written. Just a nice read. "
— Grace, 5/21/2012" I had high hopes for this story about the effects of a father's criminal investigation on his wife and youngest daughter. However, I had trouble caring about the characters and felt that major life-changing decisions that they made were determined unrealistically quickly and simply. "
— Ivy, 5/7/2012" Boston father gets in legal trouble. Harvard law school daughter flees to Israel. "
— Janet, 1/3/2012" Very good book she is back to heer old writing of interesting stories. write some more......... "
— Marlajan, 12/20/2011" I truly enjoy Naomi Ragen's writing style. From the moment you pick up one of her books, you're hooked! The Tenth Song was no different. I also like that I can relate to the places in Israel that she talks about. "
— Robin, 8/24/2011" I loved this book. For me it was a page turner. I am a big fan of Naomi Ragen and this book certainly didn't disappoint me. "
— Solkon, 4/17/2011" This is a contrived predictable silly novel- not worth anyone's time or energy. I don't see how this author has any kind of following. "
— Louise, 4/2/2011" Maybe a 2.5.....story of a Jewish accountant accused of laundering money for terrorist groups and the havoc it wrecks on his life and the life of his family when he is arrested. Wraps up a little too neatly and quickly. Some good thoughts scattered throughout, but just didn't quite do it for me. "
— Heather, 2/25/2011" It started out slow but did pick up. A nice Jewish family, daughter attending Harvard Law school. Father is a CPA who has his own company. The father is picked up by the FBI for sending money to terrorist organizations. Interesting and shows how it affects the whole family. "
— Sande, 2/23/2011" One of my favorite books of all time was The Ghost of Hannah Mendes"- this does not compare, but Ragen takes a potentially "real life" situation and her connection with faith, God and Israel takes center stage. Worth the read, and there were some passages I actually highlighted. "
— Miriam, 2/22/2011" A Jewish account is accused of helping launder money for a terrorist group. The story os his family--reactions and actions. People shun them as they fight to redeem their identity. Sometimes sweet, sometimes sappy, sometimes great pearls of wisdom reavealed. "
— Trudy, 2/5/2011" Read in a review that this book is really good. Didn't really like it - was quite boring. "
— Andrea, 2/4/2011" Especially good if you are interested in 'JAP' culture, law, financial acts of terror, and finding oneself! "
— Kaye, 1/27/2011" Very good book...enjoyed the plot and the writing style! "
— Karen, 1/17/2011" Jewish family...father accused of funding terrorists - daughter flees to Israel and 'finds her calling/self/love'. An uneven book.... "
— Dottie, 1/9/2011" It was an enjoyable read, but the actions of some of the characters stretched my ability to suspend belief - and I have an incredible ability to suspend belief! "
— Anita, 1/4/2011" It was a bit predictable - father gets in trouble, spoiled daughter flees, then helps to prove his innocence. Love angle for daughter also predictable, but a couple of twists and some great insights in the book. Well written. Just a nice read. "
— Grace, 12/14/2010" My jewish friends will like this book although it is a bit hokey I finished it very quickly.<br/> "
— Lkgallop, 11/30/2010" About a Jewish family--mostly their youngest daughter. It was O.K. "
— Wanda, 11/29/2010Naomi Ragen is an award-winning novelist, journalist and playwright. Her first book, Jephte’s Daughter, was listed among the one-hundred most important Jewish books of all time. Her bestselling novels include Sotah, The Covenant, The Sisters Weiss, and Devil in Jerusalem, among others.
Karen White has been narrating audiobooks of all genres since 1999. Honored to be included in AudioFile’s Best Voices, she’s also a four-time Audie Finalist and has earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and Library Journal starred reviews.