One of Them

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.

About the Author :
The author of Not Our Kind and The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights, Kitty Zeldis is the pseudonym for a novelist and nonfiction writer of books for adults and children. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York.

Review :
"Alternating the narration between Anne and Delia from 1946 through 1949, Zeldis vividly portrays the postwar period as it follows the women from Vassar to Paris to Palestine and back. Each woman has a different relationship to her Judaism, and through family upheaval and romantic entanglements, each grows into a new appreciation for her religion and her sense of self. Historical-fiction book groups will find much to discuss here." - Booklist "[A] nuanced story of friendship and heritage . . . . Zeldis adds depth to the brisk story in her portrayal of the characters' complex feelings about their Jewish heritage. It's an appealing historical." - Publishers Weekly "Zeld-is . . . has con-struct-ed an intri-cate plot with echoes of Gentleman's Agree-ment, Lau-ra Z. Hobson's 1947 best-selling nov-el about "gen-teel" anti-semitism in Amer-i-ca, and Exo-dus, Leon Uris's block-buster about the found-ing of the state of Israel that came out about a decade later. At its heart, though, One of Them is a com-ing-of-age sto-ry." - Jewish Book Council "Zeldis explores a friendship between two students at Vassar College just after World War II . . . . The milestones of first loves, the agony of family secrets, and a hunger to find their place in the world guide each woman in a different direction until the fitting and satisfying ending. VERDICT A strong story of women's friendship set against a dynamic historical era. The journey Anne and Delia undertake will inspire plenty of fruitful book club discussions." - Library Journal "Absorbing . . . . Kitty Zeldis captures period details, like fashion, with precision." - Hadassah Magazine "One of Them is a thoughtful chronicle of growth and friendship, and an examination of several facets of Jewish identity . . . . Kitty Zeldis's insightful third novel explores the complexities of Jewish identity through the lives of two young women who meet at Vassar College." - Shelf Awareness "This novel, set in the late years and aftermath of WWII provides insights into how two Vassar sophomores--both Jewish--navigate the fraught times and their circumstances . . . . Their difficulties and challenges are carefully described in this fascinating story of two women finding out who they are after WWII." - The Paris Insider "This is a profound and compelling read for anyone who appreciates character-driven stories and a rich historical backdrop. The emotional weight of Anne and Delia's journey will stay with you long after you've finished the final page. Check this book out!" - MSN.com "[Anne and Delia's story is] inspiring and a testament to the importance of forgiveness and being true to one's self. Multifaceted protagonists, an intriguing plot and beautiful writing make this a novel not to miss." - Bookreporter.com "One of Them showcases secrets and betrayals along with efforts to make amends." - Novels Alive "An enthralling portrait of a woman daring to defy convention in the face of rigid social confines. Lively period details of the bustling city breathe life into Not Our Kind, a story capturing issues of discrimination, the marginalization of women and class disparities. Often veering in unexpected directions, the novel is filled with thought-provoking turns that explore timely subjects in a gripping light. . . . The book's greatest strength is exploring how the building of relationships can help dissolve ignorance. . . . its themes linger long after the final page is read." - USA Today on Not Our Kind