Iphigenia in Forest Hills
Iphigenia in Forest Hills
Janet Malcolm
Anna Khachiyan
[One of] of my favs. - Anna Khachiyan
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Iphigenia in Forest Hills

Iphigenia in Forest Hills: Anatomy of a Murder Trial

Janet Malcolm
By
Janet Malcolm
3.6
977
ratings on Goodreads

In "Iphigenia in Forest Hills," Janet Malcolm delves into the heart of a gripping murder trial that shakes the tight-knit Bukharan-Jewish community of Forest Hills, Queens. The story unfolds with the chilling accusation against Mazoltuv Borukhova, a young and beautiful physician, charged with orchestrating the assassination of her estranged husband, Daniel Malakov, in a scenario as tragic as it is bewildering. Malcolm's narrative weaves through the complex labyrinth of justice, where the lines between guilt and innocence blur, compelling the reader to question the very foundations of truth and morality. With her characteristic rigor and insight, Malcolm examines the trial from every angle, exposing the myriad human factors that shape legal outcomes. From the peculiarities of jury selection to the nuances of evidence interpretation, she reveals the chasm between the ideal of justice and its often flawed practice. "Iphigenia in Forest Hills" is not merely a chronicle of a legal battle; it is an exploration of character, a study in reasonable doubt, and a commentary on the narratives we construct around crime and punishment. Through Malcolm's masterful storytelling, this book stands as a testament to the complexities of the human condition, inviting readers into a profound reflection on the ambiguities of justice and the narratives that define our lives.

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Released
2011
1 Jan
Length
168
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

[One of] of my favs. - Anna Khachiyan
Both jurors called Strauss’s decision to change custody “a good decision.” His scathing words from the bench—that Scaring had fought so hard to suppress and Leventhal equally hard to admit—seemed entirely reasonable to them. “Why would a judge take such a drastic step if there wasn’t a good reason for it?” Jones said. “Why would so many people be against her?” Smith said, “That lawyer for child aid who painted a portrait of her as overbearing. Why would he lie?” Both accepted the F.B.I. translator’s version of the disputed line in Borukhova’s taped conversation with Mallayev—“Are you going to make me happy?”—as correct. “Why would he be working for the F.B.I. if he didn’t know what he was doing? He had no reason to say something that wasn’t true,
— Janet Malcolm, Iphigenia in Forest Hills

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