Miriam is a beautifully written novel that delves into the complexities of a woman's life in early 20th century Palestine. The author, Micha Josef Berdichevsky, masterfully captures the internal struggles and external challenges faced by the protagonist, Miriam, as she navigates her way through a rapidly changing society.

The character development is rich and compelling, drawing the reader into Miriam's world and making them empathize with her struggles and triumphs. The portrayal of the cultural and political tensions of the time is also highly engaging, adding depth and dimension to the narrative.

The prose is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the landscapes and people that populate Miriam's world. Berdichevsky's writing is both poetic and incisive, inviting readers to reflect on the themes of identity, love, and societal expectations that permeate the novel.

Overall, Miriam is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read that offers a window into a fascinating period of history. Berdichevsky's storytelling is both captivating and illuminating, making this novel a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complex tapestry of human experience.

Book Description:
Micha Josef Berdyczewski (surname also written Berdichevsky) was a Ukrainian-born writer of Hebrew, a journalist, and a scholar. He appealed for the Jews to change their way of thinking, freeing themselves from dogmas ruling the Jewish religion, tradition and history, but is also known for his work with pre-modern Jewish myths and legends. He wrote in Hebrew, Yiddish and German and has been described as "the first Hebrew writer living in Berlin to be revered in the world of German letters."

The book is supposed to be about Miriam, a young Jewish girl living in Eastern Europe toward the end of the 19th century. She tries to find her way between the old, frozen religious society and the new confusing winds of enlightenment. But in fact, the author draws a wide sketch of Jewish life in that period, by shortly focusing on a large array of characters and events populating the world of Miriam, and thus the real hero of the book is the Shtetl, the small Jewish town of Eastern Europe until the Holocaust. Berdichevski inadvertently created in this work a memorial to a lost rich civilization.