A devastatingly tragic, unbelievably funny, and fiercely honest autobiography of one of the most iconic writers of Israel.
A boy grew up in war-torn Jerusalem of the 40s–50s in a cramped apartment packed to the brim with books in twelve languages and relatives who spoke those same languages. In his teenage years, the sudden and tragic death of his mother forever changed his life. Leaving behind the stuffy world of his family and their community of dreamers, scientists, and would-be businessmen, the young man moves to a kibbutz to start life from scratch.
This is the story of a famous writer who became an active participant in the political life of his nation—a family saga, and a coming-of-age tale of a person and a country during the turbulent postwar era. Amos Oz’s novels have been published in 38 languages. His novel “My Michael” (1968) was included by the International Publishers Association in the list of the one hundred best novels of the 20th century. Oz has been awarded the French Legion of Honor, the Polish Order of Merit, and the Italian Order of the Star of Solidarity. Recipient of the Bialik Prize, the Israel Prize for Literature, the Goethe Prize, and the Kafka Prize. Honorary Doctor of the University of Antwerp.
In 2018, he was recognized with the Russian literary prize “Yasnaya Polyana.” “A Tale of Love and Darkness” is considered the best-selling literary work in the history of Israel. Acclaimed actress Natalie Portman was so impressed by the novel that she arranged an in-person meeting with Amos Oz and his wife, acquired the rights for a film adaptation, wrote the script herself for the future film, and for the first time in her life served as director—also playing one of the major roles, the mother of the writer. The film of the same name was released in 2015. The audiobook version of this poignant and wise novel was performed with deep feeling by Grigory Perel.
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