In The Book of V., Lily is a wife and mother living in modern-day Brooklyn and struggling to find her purpose in life. As she works to manage her relational roles, she is also working to understand her Jewish heritage and particularly the story of Esther, a young Jewish woman in ancient Persia who became queen and used her influence to save her people from being killed. Although Lily finds fault in the overt patriarchy of the story, her two daughters see the young woman as a heroine and demand to hear about her repeatedly as the festival of Purim approaches. Purim, which celebrates Esther's actions, is one of the most important Jewish holidays and includes a number of long-held traditions.

Also known as the festival of lots, Purim is a Jewish celebration dating back to the 5th century BCE. The holiday commemorates Esther's saving of the Jews from Haman, the royal vizier who demanded they all be killed in retaliation for one Jewish man's refusal to bow before him. The name "Purim...