Review of Sand Dollars on the Beach

[Kaivalya Khisti]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sand Dollars on the Beach" by Estelle Chasen.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Hannah is suffering from a tragic personal loss. She is specialised in internal medicine and her work and studies keep her sane. Hannah is very much dependent on her family for support. But her rabbanit has a plan which she believes is what Hannah needs to get over grief. The rabbanit wants Hannah to take up a locum position in Djerba in place of the regular Jewish doctor. Hannah is reluctant, but the rabbanit is persistent. She reminds Hannah of her Tunisian roots and convinces her that the people of Djerba need a Jewish doctor who understands their customs and way of life. What follows Hannah’s acceptance of the offer is an uplifting tale of love and community bonds. Sand Dollars on the Beach by Estelle Chasen is a feel-good story with a historical background based on true events.

This book is essentially a charming read. Chasen has a knack for storytelling and character development. Hannah’s entry in Djerba takes readers inside an intimate Jewish community, showing them a very different way of life and companionship. The way Hannah navigates her professional journey as a lady doctor on the island while winning the hearts of the local people with her caring nature was in many ways inspiring.

What I liked the most about the book was the delicacy with which the author has written about Hannah and Guido. The story has a soft romance that readers get to see bloom through the pages. The bond Hannah and Moriya shared was also delightful. I loved reading how their relationship evolved as the story progressed.

There was nothing that I did not like about the book. It is professionally edited with no grammatical errors. The language is simple and the pace of narration is perfect. The author’s descriptions of Jewish festivals and foods are lively and informative. I especially loved how the author has softly woven the woes of women in traditional patriarchal systems in the story. She informs on realities without hurting religious sentiments. Though the focus of the book is on the Jewish community, there are no biases or no religious sponsorships.

I would gladly rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to readers who enjoy reading about different cultures and communities. Jewish readers would especially enjoy the book, being able to relate to the festivities. But the book is not religious in nature and can be read as a beautiful tale of overcoming grief and finding a new purpose in life.

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Sand Dollars on the Beach
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[NutellaBanana]

This is an interesting and well thought of book. This is also an interesting and well-written review. This is also a book that I would definitely love to try out. Thank you for this wonderful review.

[Kirsti Friesen]

I'm glad I took the time to read the review on this book. Most of the time I "judge a book by the cover" and give it a try without reading what it's about. I like romance, but the Jewish aspect may be a little hard for me to understand. Being in the Healthcare field myself, I may give it a try. Great review!