Book Review: Coming Home (Dicky's Story) by Sarah Yoffa

When I was offered this book for review what first struck me was the description of genre as Jewish Inspiration Fiction/Romantic Comedy set in a post-apocalyptic world. It sounded like a really novel mix and I wanted to see how it would work.

Dicky is a Thief living in a post-apocalyptic underground colony. He has barely been above ground, only when the gamma levels are low enough to assist his thieving. He's most definitely a ladies man and surrounded by laid back family and friends. He's been brought up with a dislike of the Black Coats, similar to Chassidic Jews, who preach to the unconverted. However on his 32nd birthday he meets 6 year old Itzick and his family friend and companion Leah, Black Coats. Itzick seems to have a special connection with Dicky and when they are forced to spend some time together Dicky finds his pre-conceptions challenged and his lust needing to be controlled.

This book is an amazing mixture. The author uses, and where necessary translates, Hebrew and Leah and Itzick expose Dicky to a lot of their religious practices. A lot of the Hebrew is not translated but this serves to let the reader get a sense of Dicky's exclusion from their conversations. Inevitably I feel that I have learnt something from the book, but without be preached at in the way Dicky and his friends have been.

The romance is very sweet and tender, although there is a lot of sexual tension and some sex scenes. It was definitely steamier than I was expecting for Jewish Inspirational Fiction. I loved Dicky who in the past has been a bit of a lothario but now find himself faced with straight-laced Leah. He grows so much during the book, discovering a completely different way of life.

The setting, after a Great War, with a massive underground colony only able to venture out in optimal conditions and very limited communications and trade is really interesting. It adds another dimension, especially towards the end of the book where it comes into sharper focus and of greater importance.

This is quite a long book but I had a hard time putting it down and it didn't feel lengthy. I thought the characters were great, Dicky is charming, Leah warm and sweet and Itzick precocious but cute. It was such a great read and so different, I'm so pleased Sarah asked me to review it otherwise it is the sort of gem I might have missed out on.

Format: E-book, review copy
My rating: 5*