His life was interesting, but not his memoir

He seems for forget what he's already told you, For example I got maybe a 3rd of the way in and he'd described his father's rejection of spirituality about 10 times in almost the same words. There is a great interview with one of his aunts about life in Eastern Europe and I kept hoping for more like that, but gave up. He tells you that his father constantly makes bad jokes and then he feels the need to share them with you. There's too much detail! We don't need to know about every item on his grandfather's desk. Once he describes a very ordinary kid lying on the driveway woolgathering in a way every kid on earth has watching the sun set in his neighborhood. He ends up describing in painful detail the exact colors as they change in the sunset. It is absolutely the most tedious passage I've ever read. I heard an interview with Oz and had great hopes, but they were dashed.

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Engrossing

I think this book could have done with a bit of editing (parts tend to drag), but overall it is an engrossing account of the author's childhood in Israel just before statehood to the early 60s, with references to his later adult life. The death of his mother during his early adolescence is central to the narrative both in form and meaning. I can't imagine a more sensitive narrator than Stefan Rudnicki.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Heartbreaking, masterful

Much praise has been lavished on this memoir and all of it deserved. Let’s also salute the exquisite work of the translator -the English prose is gorgeous, elegant, pitch-perfect.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Extraordinary descriptions of a family story.

Deeply moving insights into Jerusalem at a remarkable period of time in Israeli history intertwined with a tragic and uplifting saga of a family .

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A masterpiece

A beautiful story told in the most lovely way. I takes you to the profound psyche of a boy as he grows up. The story and history of Jewish people narrated with passion and magnificent details.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

An excellent literary work by Mr. Oz

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. His use of language, literary devices, and a love of words made me purchase a hard copy so that I could follow along. The reader’s voice complemented my visualization. I am looking forward to my next book by Amos Oz.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

About darkness and love - our lives.

If you never read another book, read this.It is about the essence of our existence.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

so beautiful!

this book is so beautiful. it is painful to read it knowing how awful today's book are.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Bummer!

I read this book with the expectation of learning about the early days of modern Israel and the observations of a well respected author. Instead, I got a self indulgent screed of the author’s early life. I concluded the book with the idea that this tome is the first part of a very lengthy memoir. I will not read any more.

Compelling

The author takes me with him into the winding alleys of his and his country's coming of age.