'Into this void she poured the life of another. Ruby . . . Ruby, with a soft and generous heart, a shell grown hard as flint. Ruby with the laughing eyes as dark as bittersweet chocolate. Wild Ruby. Restless, sensitive, angry Ruby. Loving and lovable. Talented Ruby. Ruby of the high cheekbones, the skin as smooth as silk. Ruby, my darling, my maydele. My heroin addict.' The Book of Rachel is the story of Rachel Grinblatt and her yearning for the elusive perfect family. Like many children she believed her parents to be wanting and constructed for herself a fantasy family life. In adulthood she tries to make her own family right through the sheer force of her love, longing and concern. But her love becomes obsessive and spirals out of control. When faced with her daughter's own obsessions Rachel's focus on Ruby drives first her son, Eli, and then her husband, Jerry away. Rachel seeks sanctuary in her nursery business and home garden. Her women friends support and sustain her. Two events occur: one shocking, one ordinary. Both force Rachel to finally concede defeat. She must allow her children to lead their own lives; she must lead hers. So begins the process of Rachel's healing, of taking her life in hand. A powerful and moving novel about family, about the fragility and strength of its fabric.