Esty and Rebecca try to reconcile their newfound interest in sex with their strict faith.

(from The Best American Nonrequired Reading, 2004)

The intricate beliefs and system of rules by which Esty’s Orthodox family try to live are appropriately enthralling and befuddling for the young people in this story. This goes double for this lapsed Catholic reader. More to the point, the scary and occasionally humorous struggle with sin experienced by these characters is universal.
This story is sharp and engrossing. Careful attention is paid to the senses, which makes for a slowly-paced but heightened read. And the parts where Rebecca talks to her sick mother on the phone are expertly awkward.

Couldn’t find a homepage for this author, but look, how weird, you can open Julie Orringer’s “virtual notebooks.” That page promises a sneak peek into the writing and rewriting process of an author who swears that multiple drafts can eventually lead to a good story.

Thank you for reading my virtual notebook.