Set in the 1980s, this novel is based on a true story and explores how familial expectations, cultural and educational differences, and career ambitions influence the unexpected love that develops between a 30-year-old Jewish-American ophthalmologist and an eighteen- year-old Israeli army recruit.

ROBERT JAFFEE (30) is a newly graduated, single, career-driven ophthalmologist working in a small town in upstate New York. He studies for his final Board exams while working part time in his controlling, money-conscious brother’s ophthalmology office.

Robert and Iris Meet

Robert is introduced to IRIS (18), an attractive Sabra visiting relatives in the States before she will return to Israel for her mandatory army service. While Iris doesn’t speak English well, Robert enjoys her company and their discussions about their cultural differences. She’s a good listener and shows, in her understanding of his problems, maturity beyond her age.

Wanting to briefly escape the pressures of their families, they visit New York City together. Robert finds Iris sexually appealing and entertaining but can see no future in their romantic relationship as their life goals differ, and Iris must complete her military service.

Iris, in her short time in the States, feels a bond with Robert. When she returns to Israel, she insists he call and write her. He focuses on passing his board exams but keeps up with Iris as he is gradually and subconsciously drawn to her, even though they don’t always see “eye to eye.”

Cultural Differences and Growing Bonds

After passing his exams, Robert moves to Odessa, Texas for additional training and experiences a culture that’s new to him, a New Yorker. He works at increasing his surgical skills while adapting to a Texas drawl, two step dancing and religious differences.

He visits Iris in Israel to determine if he should continue his relationship with her. While he finds the country fascinating, Iris, who has lived there all her life, finds the historical sites boring. But Robert finds in her a independence, sophistication, sense of humor, and understanding he seeks in a wife.

They decide to get married, but religious obstacles preclude an immediate marriage and Robert must return to the US alone. Robert and Iris face bureaucratic hurdles in order to marry and bring Iris into the United States, but finally prevail.

Challenges of Marriage and Adaptation

Since she doesn’t know the language or culture of Texas, she finds the transition difficult. Robert and Iris, different in age, background and education, also must adjust to a wife and husband relationship.

Iris initially is very despondent, and the marriage is in jeopardy. She wants to have a life apart from just being a doctor’s spouse. She doesn’t want to be only a housewife; she wants to go back to school. Iris struggles with improving her English and making friends in a foreign land, while she misses her family and life in Israel.

Robert, working to one day have his own clinic, must adjust his somewhat traditional perceptions of what a wife should be as he grows to appreciate Iris’s persistence, independence and intelligence.

Iris finds fulfillment in her chosen study of photography. Through the vehicle of the camera lens, she is able to show Robert and others how she “sees” the world.

Tragedy and Reflection

Day by day, her English improves, and she makes more friends. She faces new situations of religious bigotry and cultural attitudes, but succeeds in her studies and looks forward, after a year, to returning to visit Israel.

Before the trip, she and Robert decide to go on a short ski vacation. On the way, they are involved in an automobile accident. Iris, three months short of her twenty first birthday, is killed.

Robert returns to Israel to bury Iris. As husband and wife, they didn’t always share the same view of life, but he realizes his great loss and her great sacrifice of which only the monuments of memory are left.