Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Lisa Emanuel, Pantera Press, $29.99.
Having a sense of purpose and meaning is important for many of us. An awareness of belonging is crucial to our life satisfaction, happiness, mental and physical health —and even longevity. The human emotional need for interpersonal relationships, of affiliating, creating a connectedness and being part of a group is vital.
What Lisa Emanuel explores in The Covered Wife is the damage we can do — not only to ourselves, but to others — in our yearning to belong and to be accepted.
Sarah is a smart, young lawyer working endless hours when she falls in love with Daniel, who is handsome, passionate and part of a large, chaotically loving family. Being the only child of a single mother, Sarah had longed to be in such a household.
Even though Sarah did not intend to, when Daniel introduced her to a charming young couple, Rabbi Menachem Lev and his wife, Chani, she is pulled towards their progressive beachside synagogue.
The Rabbi and his wife have established a community of believers in Jamison Valley, so when Sarah and Daniel move down there, she cannot imagine life without the friendship, purpose and love she’s discovered.
However, four years later, youthful ardour has given way to discouraging thoughts. A series of chilling truths have surfaced that tear Sarah’s world apart, causing her to question everything — from her faith, her marriage, to above all, her future.
The Covered Wife is a smart and curious debut that grasps your attention. You are forced to ask yourself a question. From what is apparently a perfect marriage deep into a closed community, the incessant query is: ‘Where would you draw the line?’
