Kaaterskill Falls (novel)

Kaaterskill Falls is a novel by Allegra Goodman, published in 1998. The story follows the lives of an Orthodox Jewish community from Brooklyn, New York, who spend their summers in a rural town in the Catskill Mountains called Kaaterskill Falls.

The novel explores themes of religious observance, cultural identity, assimilation, and the tension between tradition and modernity. It depicts the interactions and conflicts that arise between the Orthodox community and the secular residents of the town. Specifically, the novel focuses on several families and individuals within the community, highlighting their personal struggles and evolving relationships.

Goodman delves into the intricacies of Orthodox Jewish life, including the observance of Shabbat, dietary laws (kashrut), and the role of women within the community. The novel also examines the impact of the outside world on the insular community, as some characters grapple with desires for greater freedom and integration into mainstream American society. The setting of Kaaterskill Falls itself acts as a character, representing both a refuge from the city and a place where the challenges of maintaining tradition are amplified.

The book is known for its nuanced portrayal of Orthodox Jewish life, avoiding stereotypes and presenting a complex and humanistic perspective on the characters and their beliefs. Kaaterskill Falls received critical acclaim for its literary merit and its exploration of cultural and religious identity in contemporary America.