Intriguing novels explored at Hadassah’s annual Books on the Beach

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NEWPORT – Writer Alyson Richman says she often inhabits a long-ago world – and she brought that world to Hadassah Rhode Island’s Books on the Beach fundraiser held on Aug. 9 at Oceancliff.

After lunch, and plenty of schmoozing and admiring the spectacular views of Narragansett Bay, the 135 women who attended the annual event turned their attention to the speakers, Richman and Joanna Rakoff.

Richman said research is at the heart of writing good historical fiction. She learned to be a thorough researcher from her father, an electrical engineer, and her mother, an abstract artist who also taught Richman “to see the world through an artistic lens.”

Combining those skills has led Richman to international success as the author of six novels, including the beloved “The Lost Wife” and her newest, “The Velvet Hours.”

Inspired by true events, “The Velvet Hours” delves into the mystery surrounding a Paris apartment that was sealed off at the beginning of World War II – and remained that way for nearly 70 years. The lavish, intriguing historical novel explores the Belle Epoch, the stress of the coming German occupation as well as “art, beauty, history and questions,” Richman told the women.

Joanna Rakoff, author of “My Salinger Year,” read excerpts from her book after an entertaining talk about how she ended up in New York City in the 1990s, a grad school dropout who was hired to work as a personal assistant to author J.D. Salinger’s literary agent. The funny thing is, Rakoff didn’t have a clue about Salinger’s work. “My Salinger Year” details how Salinger’s novels, short stories and fan mail helped Rakoff find herself. The highly acclaimed book has received many honors, including being named an Oprah.com Summer Must Read Book.

But for all her honors, Rakoff noted, “Nothing is as exciting to my mother as when I’m speaking to a Hadassah chapter.”

Since its founding more than 100 years ago, reading, studying and discussion groups have been integral to Hadassah, an advocate for community programs and health facilities and initiatives in Israel, as well as women’s rights. Hadassah, which has 330,000 members in the U.S. alone, is one of the largest international Jewish organizations in the world.

After the authors spoke, the women in attendance eagerly lined up to buy signed copies of “The Velvet Hours” and “My Salinger Year ” – and Books on the Beach Co-Chairs Lorraine Rappoport and Betty Ann Israelit declared the seventh annual event a success. 

CYNTHIA BENJAMIN is an editor, writer and chef. She is a member of Congregation B’nai Israel, in Woonsocket.

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