Speaking to The Guardian about the mixed reaction her book received, Alderman said: "There is apparently one dog-eared copy being passed around the Jewish community of Hendon. I hear that one has made its way to Israel. People come up to me and say ... well, mostly they say, 'I loved your book.' Which is great.

“[But] occasionally at least one person thinks I should never have written it. That writing about a lesbian relationship in the Jewish community 'gives fuel’ to our enemies.”

Margaret Atwood's protégé added: “This kind of thing doesn't happen in our community, and if it does happen, then we shouldn't talk about it, and if we have to talk about it, then we should only talk about it among other Orthodox Jews.'"

Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz to star in adaptation of Disobedience