Karmel's novel of womanhood, the love and strife between mothers and daughters, marital dead zones, and the baffling metamorphosis of age is covertly complex, quietly incisive, and stunning in its emotional richness." - Booklist 'Deeply moving... . Being Esther is a spare book with cosmic implications and a huge heart." - Lilith Magazine A deliciously funny and tender novel." - BookWomen Full of emotion and wisdom about aging and finding meaning from a well-lived life... . While reading this lovely book, I felt as if I were reconnecting to the women in my life of Esther's generation. I savored it and did not want it to end." - NA'AMAT Women Magazine Readers of any age will long for more Esther." - ForeWord A tale worth telling and reading." - Jewish Book Council [An] accomplished debut" - Minneapolis Star Tribune Being Esther ... will linger long in readers' minds and hearts.' - St. Paul Pioneer Press A delight." - The American Jewish World Being Esther is impossible to put down. - Margot Livesey A small masterpiece." - Faith Sullivan, author of Gardenias Wryly funny and always (sometimes painfully) honest." -Rosellen Brown A small gem-a beautiful, funny and sad meditation on life and old age." -Ellen Burns, Books on the Common, Ridgefield, CT A wonderful portrait of a seemingly simple life." - Karen Frank, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT What a delightful book, even if it did end up making me cry." -Jackie Blem, The Tattered Cover Bookstore, Denver CO The possibilities for inter-generational discussions are limitless." -Nancy Simpson-Brice, Book Vault, Oskaloosa, IA I was charmed by Esther's wonderful observations of life, her love of literature and clarity of vision." -Terri Weiner, Village Books, Bellingham, WA Being Esther should be required reading by all we Baby Boomers as we think about our parents' and our own last years." -Keri Rojas, Cornerstone Cottage Kids, Hampton, IA Pitch perfect." -Ellen Sandmeyer, Sandmeyer's Bookstore, Chicago, IL A beautiful, touching novel." -Pierre Camy, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids, MI A beautiful, touching story filled with humor, compassion." -Anderson McKean, Page & Palette Books, Fairhope, AL A thoughtful and lively meditation." - Lisa Boudain, Books & Company, Okonomowoc, WI Richly complex and loveable." -David Unowsky, SubText Bookstore, St. Paul, MN A gem." - Rabbi Stacy Offner, Temple Beth Tikvah, Madison, CT 'Very much like Stewart O'nan's Emily, Alone, Being Esther is a beautiful and finely crafted novel.' - Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, Director, Hillel at Ohio University 'A loving portrayal of a woman's last chapter." -Rabbi Sandy Bogin, Jewish Home Lifecare "