[Book Review] Making Meaning Out of Madness by Miranda Portnoy

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By Miranda Portnoy

Portnoy’s memoir takes the reader through a traumatic childhood. When she finds herself the scapegoat of a murderer, Portnoy feels alone, with seemingly nowhere to turn this agnostic turns to faith. This is where her life takes an unexpected turn. She meets and marries a prestigious Orthodox man in Jerusalem.

In part two of her book, Portnoy seeks to assist others in their journey to finding faith by challenging agnostic assumptions in a series of essays.

Portnoy’s story is a harrowing tale of childhood traumas followed by years of self-seeking while coping with the added trauma of anti-Semetism. Her use of humor breaks up the tension for the reader and keeps the story moving.

The essays in the second portion of the book are thought provoking and make for an interesting exercise for any reader, regardless of their level of faith or observance.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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