Exploring Identity and Tolerance in Rue des Rosiers
Book Review of Rue des Rosiers by Carole Mertz
Tregebov’s Rue des Rosiers appeared in 2019. A well-constructed novel, it deserves to be kept alive through repeated discussion because of its central theme of racial discrimination and antisemitism. Tregebov thoughtfully explores this theme by first acquainting readers with her main characters, including three sisters: two who live in Toronto, and one in Winnipeg. She sustains her readers’ rising expectations through to the final pages with swiftly turning events and captivating diction. Strikingly, the Arab antisemitism that plagued Parisian society in the 1980s remains regrettably relevant today, particularly in light of the ongoing struggles in the Gaza Strip. (One could assume the novel was published just last week.)
Sarah, the youngest sister, had an abortion at age 16 and yearns for the love and forgiveness of her oldest sister, Rose, to feel a sense of completion. While Sarah and Gail, both living in Toronto, share moments of compassion, they are also somewhat at odds. Gail, a lawyer, cannot understand why Sarah has not completed her law degree. Sarah, in turn, enjoys her low-paying job as a gardener, which Gail regards as a “dead-end” career. Sarah’s quirky approach to life—making decisions by tossing a penny—seems to stem from the inner loss she feels after her abortion, contributing to her struggles with decision-making.
Sarah can’t quite envision her future. She sees herself as a project in need of a solution and feels uncertain about her identity. Her friend Michael is empathetic and supportive without being overbearing.
When Rose sinks into clinical depression and is hospitalized, the entire family becomes deeply concerned for her health. Amid this familial worry, Sarah attempts to make sense of her life by taking an experimental university course. Through her professor, she grapples with questions about Jewish identity and history. The course materials—significant Jewish texts, historical documents, and confronting photos—challenge her deeply. Sarah diligently completes her assignments until, one day, she can no longer bear the weight of the Jewish struggle for survival, especially in light of her own decision to abort her baby.
A twist in her relationship with Michael, coupled with the loss of her satisfying job, leads Sarah to accompany him to Paris. There, she begins a transformative journey of self-understanding. She finds herself relaxing in her relationships and immersing herself in Parisian life, exploring the city’s rich culture and history at her own pace. Her growing comfort with the French language, aided by her playful fascination with etymology, adds an engaging layer to her personal growth.
Sarah’s etymological musings on various French words are woven throughout the novel. One particularly poignant discovery marks a significant turning point in the story’s final act. At first, the chapters focusing on “Laila” seem tangential to the main storyline. Through these passages, however, we meet a scarred Arab girl unfamiliar with Parisian life, who, like Sarah, is finding her way toward maturity, employment, and independence. The two women, unaware of each other’s existence, undergo parallel journeys of growth.
Laila’s physical and emotional scars mirror the disruptions in Sarah’s life. However, Laila’s hate-filled boyfriend (spoiler alert) becomes the catalyst for a harrowing disruption to Sarah’s life. The larger theme Tregebov conveys left me in complete admiration of her skill. Rue des Rosiers, set across Toronto, Winnipeg, and Paris, draws readers into a vivid exploration of the significance of life, the necessity of tolerance, and the tragic consequences of its absence when cultures clash. Tregebov’s work is timeless. She reveals, in profound and unexpected ways, how fragile life can be.
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