The acclaimed author of Not Our Kind and The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights, Kitty Zeldis, returns with One of Them, a powerful and moving novel that explores secrets, friendship, and betrayal. Set at Vassar College in the years following World War II, the story is a timely and poignant examination of prejudice and the cost of belonging, with cultural and social issues that resonate just as strongly today.
Disclaimer: Some links found on this page might be affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
A Secret Identity at Vassar
Zeldis introduces us to Anne Bishop, a seemingly typical Vassar freshman who fits in perfectly with her popular group of privileged WASP friends. Anne is Jewish and her real first name is Miriam, which she doesn’t share with her peers. By living as “Anne” and pretending to be a Gentile, she has successfully shed the snubs, snide remarks, and daily restrictions that Jews faced during that era. She enjoys a blissful college life of late-night conversations and social gatherings, even turning a blind eye to the casual anti-Semitism that is a constant undercurrent among her friends. After all, it’s no longer directed at her.
This fragile new identity is put to the test when Anne becomes captivated by a girl outside her social circle. Delia Goldhush is the opposite of Anne’s carefully constructed facade: she is sophisticated, stylish, brilliant, and unashamedly Jewish. Delia seems to not care that she is an outcast among the other students, and her confidence draws Anne in. The two women forge a growing friendship that Anne keeps a secret, knowing that its discovery would mean social suicide. Delia seems to understand, but a thoughtless cruelty on Anne’s part drives them apart, sending them scattering to different corners of the world, alone and together in their separate struggles.
The High Cost of Belonging
One of Them is a story of trying to survive, no matter the cost that is captured beautifully by Kitty Zeldis. This author handles the internal conflict of a young woman who gives up her identity for acceptance and the painful reality that such a choice can never truly be free in a remarkable way. Zeldis expertly navigates complex themes. The central tension lies in Anne’s choice to abandon her heritage for the sake of social comfort, a decision that forces her to constantly betray a part of herself. Delia serves as a crucial foil to Anne’s character, representing a proud, unyielding identity that challenges Anne’s own choices. The novel’s strength is its ability to showcase the subtle, pervasive nature of prejudice and the way it forces individuals to make heartbreaking sacrifices.
Why This Story Stays With You
This is a profound and compelling read for anyone who appreciates character-driven stories and a rich historical backdrop. The emotional weight of Anne and Delia’s journey will stay with you long after you’ve finished the final page. Check this book out!
Thanks to HarperCollins for this #gifted book for this review.
