These sensitively written essays may be read as a diary of the last
ten years of Israeli-Palestinian relations, charting as they do the
hopes and disappointments of liberal Israelis since the signing of
the 1993 Oslo Accords. Taken as a whole, the collected articles and
open letters reveal the major shifts in political relations between
Israel and Palestine. Grossman discusses the characters, politics
and actions of the dramatis personae, including Arafat, Rabin,
Netanyahu and Sharon. The author cares deeply about the outcome of
this bitter struggle, because he has committed his life, and his
children's, to the dangerously troubled land he writes about.
Grossman speaks out against the injuries perpetrated by Israeli
troops against Palestinian civilians, as well as denouncing the
suicide bombings which indiscriminately slaughter Israelis and
passing tourists. For him, Jewish and Israeli identity are neither
simple nor fixed. Grossman struggles with the complexities of his
situation, and tries to create links with those Palestinians who
are willing to explore the possibility of cooperation between two
closely associated but separate states. He maintains an optimistic
vision of a thriving and peaceful Middle East, but is realistic
enough to acknowledge that he is unlikely to live to see it. Not
all the essays are about Palestine-Israel. There is a tenderly
observed account of the Pope's visit to Jerusalem, and a trenchant
commentary on Jewish-German relations since the Holocaust. This is
a book which deserves to be read with care by anyone wishing to
make informed distinctions between Jew, Israeli and Zionist, or by
the general reader who appreciates well-crafted essays. (Kirkus UK)
In autumn 1993 the Oslo Agreements were signed by Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat, marking the beginning of promise for a constructive peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The ten years that followed were charted first by hope and optimism only to deteriorate into revenge and violence. Throughout this decade David Grossman has published articles in the American and European press, written in a personal voice father, husband, peace activist, novelist as he witnesses devastating events, he cries out with a prophetic wisdom, imploring both sides to return to sanity, to negotiations.
David Grossman has been published in twenty-two languages and has won numerous international awards. His groundbreaking journalism includes
The Yellow Wind and
Sleeping on a Wire. The publication of this collection of articles will mark ten years since the dream of Oslo.
To find out more about the author, visit www.bloomsbury.com/davidgrossman In the 34 essays of
Death as a Way of Life, novelist David Grossman charts the past 10 years of Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This is an eclectic mix of reflections which reinforces Grossman's position as a major political writer. Like Amos Oz, he stands as the moral conscience of Israel. There are some wonderful insights. I loved his description of the intensity of Jerusalem where, 'every year a hundred or so tourists lose their mind'. His examination of assassinated prime minister Rabin is loving and insightful. He sees Rabin as 'the DNA of the Israeli'. Grossman adored Rabin's capacity for renewal and his ability to move from hawk to dove. 'How many of us could have been so victorious over ourselves,' he asks. This is the underlying thrust of all the essays: a constant, post-Talmudic need for self- examination. This refreshing critique from the inside of the crucible (sharply translated by Haim Watzman and well edited by Efrat Lev) helps us understand a little of what has been going on since Oslo. As Grossman says, 'the writing is on the wall in three languages. Hebrew, Arabic and Death'.
Independent,
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