Targum Press Publication, ONLY 292 pages
Reviewed by Sheindel Weinbach
Actually, I could have doubled up this review with last
week's to make sure that you ran out to get your copy of
this book pronto. But that wouldn't have been fair for many
reasons:
Your Pesach cleaning would certainly have suffered since you
wouldn't have sufficed with rest-and-read breaks but might
have sneaked in portions when the others weren't looking. It
is absolutely addictive.
Then, again, having read it all, you'd be kicking yourself
for not having saved it for Chol Hamoed. Not that you can't
read it again. And again. (But I doubt that you'll laugh out
loud the third or fourth time round.)
I figured it was just too much of a temptation -- and
withheld this preview for right before Pesach. So now, rush
right out and grab this darling, delicious, downright rib-
tickling debut by Malka Adler.
Oh, but everyone knows Malka already from her numerous
appearances, in Yated, in Horizons and elsewhere, so I don't
have to convince you much. She has beguiled us with her
ingenuous humor, like a bonbonniere of Irma Brombeck and
Rebbetzin Ruchoma Shain combined, with certainly no slight
intended to the latter. We are referring to the chin-up,
square-your-shoulders and be a happy mentsch attitude,
making the best of whatever comes your way by truly seeing
it in its best light.
"A Sunny Slice of Life," like its cover, is lemon-tart with
insight into human frailty, but sunny-sight-up with taking
life in stride-rite. Malka laughs at herself all the time,
and we swing along with her ups and downs, gaining much
wholesome perspective, eishes chayil Hashkofa in the
process.
You will have to read this book at least twice, if only to
savor the excellent craftsmanship of writing, the subtle
alliteration, the deceptively carefree style that really
packs in tremendous skill in creating atmosphere, building
to a climax and delivering a powerful punch-and-judy Mussar
lesson to chew as cud.
It was a struggle, but I didn't allow myself the luxury of
reading the entire book yet; even so, there are some pieces
that I especially enjoyed. One was a very serious lesson on
the irreversible harm that can be inflicted through an
innocent remark of loshon hora. A truly painful
experience that the reader will feel to the bone and not
forget easily, as Malka herself does not. Another, longer
piece describes a fascinating visit to Odessa, a city of
yesteryear in many ways, but moving fast forward in
Yiddishkeit. With typical Malka Adler charm, humor,
insight.
Don't let her fool you into thinking that she really has two
left feet and ten thumbs, even when it comes to making jelly
apples or learning computerese. She is very much "on the
ball," very adaptable to all circumstances, especially new
ones. One of the outstanding attributes of this beguiling
book is a firm faith that everything is for the best, in
which she resembles R. Shain. And, I would add, so is
everyone -- for the best. If Malka is so lovable, it is
because she loves -- everything: Hashem, Torah, life,
people, trying situations and challenges -- and above all --
Eretz Yisroel. And she makes it contagious.
But why am I wasting your time when you could already be
reading and enjoying this great book, and telling your
friends about it?
There's one thing, though, that I can't forgive you, Malka.
I imagine that you will be withholding future stories from
Yated -- for the next book. But then, again, I will
hopefully get my copy of it before you other guys so that I
can review it... And to make sure I do, I hereby award the
author with an honorary M. A. (Malka Adler) degree!
Oh boy! Enjoy! A joy!
