Description
Council of Wise Women
by Izzy Abrahmson
ISBN: 9781940060637
Paperback, new
Publication Date: August 25, 2024
Brief Description:
A secret society, magical chicken soup, and a young girl, wise beyond her years. When Rachel Cohen’s parents’ marriage cracks, and her village teeters, she and The Council cook up a plan….
Author Bio:
Izzy Abrahmson is the author of the award-winning Village Life series, which has been nominated for a National Jewish Book Award. Izzy is also the pen name for Mark Binder. Mark Binder is a performing storyteller, and the author of more than two dozen books, audiobooks, and live audio concerts for adults and children. He’s won a Parents Choice Gold Award for Audio Storytelling, and was a nominated finalist for the Audie Audiobook Award for best original work. The Village Life stories began when Mark was working as the editor of a regional Jewish Newspaper. Izzy Abrahmson’s Village Life stories have been published in books and magazines, and performed around the world.
DK Paul –
“The Council of Wise Women” by Izzy Abrahmson is a splendid continuation of “The Village Life” series. I think this is one of the the best. The characters are well developed and interesting. The village of Chelm is proving to be very resilient and flexibly open to change. The people will do what it takes to keep everyone happy. They are a very selflessly giving community. They used all their food one fall to benefit the neighboring village of Smyrna. As a result, it’s proven by the villagers that they can survive a winter on cabbage alone, nothing but cabbage. Of course, there are a few nasty side effects, but these crafty villagers have a plan in place for that. We can only imagine.
The main theme of the story seems to be women’s rights and domestic happiness. Many world firsts occur here in the fictional village of Chelm, that today we’d think are common rights, but women weren’t always given authority over their own destinies.
The reader should know, that the village of Chelm is a long ago fictional Jewish village. There is no preaching of Judaism; the reader does not have to be Jewish to enjoy these stories. The author helps interpret subtle points with both footnotes and a glossary. The emotions experienced by the characters are common throughout all of humanity and all religions, love, hunger, jealousy, greed, joy, and belonging.
Neither is it required to read the earlier books in the series, this one can stand alone. But, it is gratifying to reacquaint with our friends from the earlier stories. Come along, read, laugh and cry, and celebrate with villagers of Chelm. This one focuses primarily on the women; the council of wise women. Aren’t all women wise; I ponder.