Mystics, Mavericks, and Merrymakers

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Fascinating subject but too much psychobabble - Rated
Ms Wellen Levine certainly picked a fascinating research subject and has been able to get in pretty close to a range of adolescent Lubavitcher girls. The best chapters of the book are the actual vignettes of the different girls and their families. However, I did get the sense that she either a) could only get close to those who were outside the mainstream or b) selected those who had slightly more interesting 'stories' to tell.

The key problem with the book is that although Ms Levine might be a smart graduate student, what she is not, is either a psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist. Despite this she feels fully 'qualified' to make pronouncements on these young girls mental health states that most professionals would feel unable to make even after extended investigations. Somehow I think her editor should have kept her focused on telling their stories and less on her own analysis.

Despite the above I enjoyed the book, felt she was able to articulate well what a hasidic life has to offer these girls and draws some interesting lessons for 'mainstream society'.