Sisters of Fortune

One of the things I love most about reading is how it allows you to immerse yourself in different cultures and traditions, learning about them through stories. This book delivers exactly that experience.
Sisters of Fortune follows three Sephardic Jewish sisters living in Brooklyn, each at different stages of life: one embarking on marriage as a new bride, another being courted, and the third wanting nothing to do with romance, until the script flips and they all get what they truly wanted to begin with. Chehebar writes from each sister's perspective, weaving the rich traditions and customs of the Sephardic Jewish community throughout.
What makes this book so engaging is how it is both educational and entertaining. The cultural details show more feel authentic and integral to the story rather than forced, giving us genuine insight into this vibrant community and its practices.
I walked away from this story reminded of an age old truth: no matter who we are or where we come from, we share more similarities as humans than differences. Learning about those differences, and embracing them in one another, is what gives purpose to our shared human experience. Well done, Chehebar, this book bridges gaps while celebrating the beauty of this culture specifically.
*I was invited to read by the publisher, through NetGalley, for an honest review show less

This was fine. My enjoyment of this story of three sisters from a Syrian-American Jewish family was colored by my feelings about Niddah, the Orthodox Jewish tradition that considers women "unclean" during and for seven days after their periods, and requires immersion in a mikveh, or ritual bath, before resuming sexual relations with their husbands. The book's epigraph is a quote from Leviticus commanding Niddah, and before the first chapter even starts there's a letter to recently engaged women from a teacher who promises to teach them everything they need to know about being a good wife. The three titular sisters push back (in varying degrees) against some Syrian Jewish customs, but Niddah isn't one of them. Maybe if I weren't Jewish I show more would consider it an interesting cultural practice, but as an M.O.T.*, it is a horrifying example of patriarchy at its worst. Obviously, YMMV.

*M.O.T. = Member Of the Tribe, i.e., Jewish show less

I’m an only child, so having sisters always sounds both amazing and terrifying to me. As does being raised in a fairly strict religious community.

Fortune Cohen is one of three girls in her family. At 21 she is considered the steady sister. Her older sister Nina is a walking time bomb, always arguing with everyone. The baby Lucy is the beautiful one. Fortune is the one who is dependable. The perfect middle child.

The family lives in the Syrian neighborhood in Brooklyn. Specifically Syrian Jews. There is everything you could want in the neighborhood. Most girls are born and die in the same small section of the borough. There are those who fight the tradition, as in Nina, and those who embrace it, as in Fortune. Fortune’s wedding is show more coming up to her expected match, Saul.

Only lately Fortune is questioning her choice to marry Saul. Lucy is sneaking around with a man 12 years her senior. Nina has taken a job at a record label defying the norm. The paths were planned for these three young women, but they are challenging the expectations of their strict community.

This was a great book written with so much insight into the lives of women in this religious community. The expectations and rules that everyone must follow as Sephardic Jews. It was so interesting to learn about this sector of society that flocks to specific neighborhoods in parts of the U.S. Most immigrated during the regime changes in Syria in the middle of the 20th century. Some well before that.

It’s interesting to read about a group of people who have in many ways not assimilated into US culture, but have been able to maintain their traditions in spite of living in the US. I did enjoy it. Fortune is such a ‘good girl’ that you almost want her to take a chance. Lucy is playing with fire with this much older man, but you want things to work out. And Nina, I think mostly I just wanted Nina to finally be happy.

I enjoyed this one. Kind of a slow read, and sometimes hard to grasp the language and customs, but overall it was good. show less

A beautiful wedding often comes with unanticipated occurrences.

Fortune was getting married with invitations sent to 800 guests. This was the first of three daughters to walk down the aisle and her parents were working diligently to make it a showpiece.

They were a happy family with the matter-of-fact grandmother, loving parents and three sisters: Nina, Fortune and Lucy. They lived in Brooklyn, a close community of Syrian Jewish families.

Fortune had a meaningful name related to luck. Even though she was marrying a good, solid man, she secretly had mixed feelings. She needed a boost of encouragement as she contemplated her upcoming role as a supportive wife and destined mother.

Her oldest sister, Nina, was now 26 and her mother was show more anxiously waiting for a proper suitor. Her younger sister, Lucy, a high school senior, was happily dating a 30-year-old surgeon in training. How could this be good? While the family appeared to be close, there still were secrets waiting to come out.

I was unfamiliar with the Jewish words and phrases used from time to time. I didn’t realize there was a glossary at the end and skipped over the expressions. Yet, I enjoyed the dialogues showing strong ties and traditions.

I admire how the author brought life to all the characters making it easy to visualize. For those of us with sisters, it certainly made you think about the influence of parenting. To my surprise, however, the end felt rushed.

My thanks to Random House and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of July 22, 2025. show less