One of Them

A Novel

By: Kitty Zeldis

Narrated by: Gilli Messer

The beloved author of Not Our Kind and The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights returns with a story of secrets, friendship, and betrayal about two young women at Vassar in the years after World War II, a powerful and moving tale of prejudice and pride that echoes the cultural and social issues of today.

Anne Bishop seems like a typical Vassar sophomore—one of a popular group of privileged WASP friends. None of the girls in her circle has any idea that she’s Jewish, or that her real first name is Miriam. Pretending to be a Gentile has made life easier—as Anne, she no longer suffers the snubs, snide remarks, and daily restrictions Jews face. She enjoys her college life of teas, late-night conversations, and mixers. She turns a blind eye to the casual anti-Semitism that flourishes among her friends and classmates—after all, it's no longer directed at her.

But her secret life is threatened when she becomes fascinated by a girl not in her crowd. Delia Goldhush is sophisticated, stylish, brilliant, and unashamedly Jewish—and seems not to care that she’s an outcast among the other students. Knowing that her growing closeness with Delia would be social suicide if it were discovered, Anne keeps their friendship quiet. Delia seems to understand—until a cruelty on Anne’s part drives them apart and sends them scattering to other corners of the world, alone and together.

Amazing story and narration!!!

This was very understandable and with all of the current antisemitism, makes an important point

Multi-faceted, interesting, enjoyable

There’s so much covered in the novel—the Nazis and the war; the founding of Israel and the Arab plight; rich America, the seven sisters college education and antisemitism; and more. The characters are well drawn and involving.

Objective characterization of Israeli and Palestinian conflicts from 1946-1951

Great story by 2 Jewish girls who overcome the many obstacles. Extended family was necessary but over discussed