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Jerozolimska plaża
A może by tak, jak Michael, rzucić wszystko i zamieszkać w Berlinie? Kuszące, zwłaszcza, że w czasach Instagrama nie musisz nawet ruszać się z Izraela. Każdy się nabierze. Ale czy na pewno?
Jeśli nie Berlin, to może spróbuj zostać budowniczym snów? Gorzej, jeśli uwikłasz się w sieć koszmarów, jak Bruno. A skoro dręczą cię pytania bez odpowiedzi, szukasz swojej pasji i nie wiesz, kim chcesz zostać, kiedy dorośniesz - zapisz się na szkolenie zorganizowane przez firmę „Sens Życia” Sp. z o.o. To twoja szansa, by zostać szczęśliwym człowiekiem! Albo nie.
Oto zdumiewający świat opowiadań Iddo Gefena. Te brawurowe historie, które dzieją się na granicy rzeczywistości realnej i wirtualnej, poruszają i zaskakują. I choć technologie i sztuczna inteligencja zdają się tutaj mieć receptę na wszystko, szybko okazuje się, że ludzkie potrzeby i emocje są niezmienne. Nic nie zastąpi zwykłego spojrzenia prosto w oczy drugiemu człowiekowi. To od niego zaczyna się przyszłość.
Gefen wyjątkowo zręcznie łączy błyskotliwy humor z filozoficznym zacięciem i z czułością opisuje ludzką naturę, dostrzegając wszystkie jej sprzeczności i śmiesznostki. Jego niezwykły talent docenili jurorzy nagród literackich w Izraelu i USA, należy do najbardziej docenianych izraelskich debiutantów.
PRAWA DO EKRANIZACJI KUPIONE M. IN. PRZEZ STUDIO PRODUCENCKIE RYANA GOSLINGA.
Jeśli nie Berlin, to może spróbuj zostać budowniczym snów? Gorzej, jeśli uwikłasz się w sieć koszmarów, jak Bruno. A skoro dręczą cię pytania bez odpowiedzi, szukasz swojej pasji i nie wiesz, kim chcesz zostać, kiedy dorośniesz - zapisz się na szkolenie zorganizowane przez firmę „Sens Życia” Sp. z o.o. To twoja szansa, by zostać szczęśliwym człowiekiem! Albo nie.
Oto zdumiewający świat opowiadań Iddo Gefena. Te brawurowe historie, które dzieją się na granicy rzeczywistości realnej i wirtualnej, poruszają i zaskakują. I choć technologie i sztuczna inteligencja zdają się tutaj mieć receptę na wszystko, szybko okazuje się, że ludzkie potrzeby i emocje są niezmienne. Nic nie zastąpi zwykłego spojrzenia prosto w oczy drugiemu człowiekowi. To od niego zaczyna się przyszłość.
Gefen wyjątkowo zręcznie łączy błyskotliwy humor z filozoficznym zacięciem i z czułością opisuje ludzką naturę, dostrzegając wszystkie jej sprzeczności i śmiesznostki. Jego niezwykły talent docenili jurorzy nagród literackich w Izraelu i USA, należy do najbardziej docenianych izraelskich debiutantów.
PRAWA DO EKRANIZACJI KUPIONE M. IN. PRZEZ STUDIO PRODUCENCKIE RYANA GOSLINGA.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
June 10, 2021
“Jerusalem Beach”, ….a collection of short stories…..is ‘definitely’ a must read for those who are a fan of the ‘other-Israeli-King’ of short stories, Etgar Keret.
It’s a must read for everyone who enjoys contemporary short stories about life, relationships, challenges, and love.
Iddo Gefen lives in Israel. This is his debut SLAM DUNK BOOK-BUSTING -BOOK-BUSTER…collection.
These stories are AWESOME! HITTING all the right marks!
…..His writing is witty, creative, contemporary, clever, quirky, tender, genius, poignant, inspiring and entertaining.
We feel the emotions… they are intimate > stories about love, friendships, compassion, psychological distress, loyalty, disloyalty, faith, unique perspectives about living and dying,…..stark, weird, imaginative, and relatable.
It was interesting to learn about the author after reading these stories- that take place in Israel.
His stories kinda make sense - more sense - after learning these facts about Iddo Gefen:
He was born in 1992 in Israel and currently resides in Tel Aviv. He works in neurocognitive research at The Immersive Media & Cognitive Group in Sagol Brain Institute, Sourasky Medical Center, and Tel Aviv University, exploring how storytelling can improve our understanding of the human mind. Iddo leads an innovative study to diagnose aspects of Parkinson’s disease using storytelling.
The stories include:
The Geriatric Platoon…
Exit…
The Jerusalem Beach…
Neptune…
The Girl Who Lived Near the Sun…
Debby’s Dream House…
The Meaning of Life Ltd….
Three Hours From Berlin…
Anita Shabtai…
Lennon at the Central Bus Station…
Flies and Porcupines…
One sample…..from “The Jerusalem Beach” Story:
“They went looking for her first memory, snow on the beach in Jerusalem. Tomorrow he would turned her in, but at that moment they were still riding the 480 bus together, second seat from the back. Lilian had fallen asleep and Sammy was looking out the window”.
“Sammy and Lilian had shrunk over the years.
It was August, and sunny. Lilian said “The Snow must be coming”.
“She wrapped her arms around her body and started trembling. Even the hottest day couldn’t stifle her snowy memory. Sammy let out a sigh and placed his satchel on the floor. He sluggishly reached into the satchel and took out the white coat he had one bought her. By now it was two sizes too big, but she insisted on wearing it with pride”.
All her memories were swallowed into a void. All but the memory of the snowy beach in Jerusalem.
“Tomorrow they’ll come take care of you, he said”.
“To The beach?”
“There are people who can take care of you better than I can”.
“Where’s The snow, Sammy?”
“I’ll come visit every day”.
“She leaned forward. Her eyes remained closed”.
“I can smell the sea, can you?”
“Sammy reached out to her with both hands, pressed his head against hers, and gently stroked the lines on her face”.
Other favorites were:
…The Geriatric Platoon, Exit, Debby’s Dream House, Lennon at the Central Bus Station, Flies and Porcupines, and The Girl Who Lived Near the Sun.
Two more sampling’s…..
Wisdom words from Grandma:
“Back in my day, parents still had a say in the matter, but today all I keep hearing is how they have to let you kids make your own mistakes. That it’s the only way to get life experience. But you know what happens then? You kids get lost. You make so many mistakes that you find yourself on the other side of the solar system alone”.
Grandma speaks again…
“What can I say, bubele, you can’t keep putting your life on hold like this, it just doesn’t work that way. You’re not the only person in the world who has questions, believe me. The problem is that no one has the guts to tell you you’re not going to find the answers”.
Wonderful heartfelt stories….what’s ‘not’ to love?/!!!
Thank you Netgalley, Astra Publishing House, and Iddo Gefen (I’m a new fan)
It’s a must read for everyone who enjoys contemporary short stories about life, relationships, challenges, and love.
Iddo Gefen lives in Israel. This is his debut SLAM DUNK BOOK-BUSTING -BOOK-BUSTER…collection.
These stories are AWESOME! HITTING all the right marks!
…..His writing is witty, creative, contemporary, clever, quirky, tender, genius, poignant, inspiring and entertaining.
We feel the emotions… they are intimate > stories about love, friendships, compassion, psychological distress, loyalty, disloyalty, faith, unique perspectives about living and dying,…..stark, weird, imaginative, and relatable.
It was interesting to learn about the author after reading these stories- that take place in Israel.
His stories kinda make sense - more sense - after learning these facts about Iddo Gefen:
He was born in 1992 in Israel and currently resides in Tel Aviv. He works in neurocognitive research at The Immersive Media & Cognitive Group in Sagol Brain Institute, Sourasky Medical Center, and Tel Aviv University, exploring how storytelling can improve our understanding of the human mind. Iddo leads an innovative study to diagnose aspects of Parkinson’s disease using storytelling.
The stories include:
The Geriatric Platoon…
Exit…
The Jerusalem Beach…
Neptune…
The Girl Who Lived Near the Sun…
Debby’s Dream House…
The Meaning of Life Ltd….
Three Hours From Berlin…
Anita Shabtai…
Lennon at the Central Bus Station…
Flies and Porcupines…
One sample…..from “The Jerusalem Beach” Story:
“They went looking for her first memory, snow on the beach in Jerusalem. Tomorrow he would turned her in, but at that moment they were still riding the 480 bus together, second seat from the back. Lilian had fallen asleep and Sammy was looking out the window”.
“Sammy and Lilian had shrunk over the years.
It was August, and sunny. Lilian said “The Snow must be coming”.
“She wrapped her arms around her body and started trembling. Even the hottest day couldn’t stifle her snowy memory. Sammy let out a sigh and placed his satchel on the floor. He sluggishly reached into the satchel and took out the white coat he had one bought her. By now it was two sizes too big, but she insisted on wearing it with pride”.
All her memories were swallowed into a void. All but the memory of the snowy beach in Jerusalem.
“Tomorrow they’ll come take care of you, he said”.
“To The beach?”
“There are people who can take care of you better than I can”.
“Where’s The snow, Sammy?”
“I’ll come visit every day”.
“She leaned forward. Her eyes remained closed”.
“I can smell the sea, can you?”
“Sammy reached out to her with both hands, pressed his head against hers, and gently stroked the lines on her face”.
Other favorites were:
…The Geriatric Platoon, Exit, Debby’s Dream House, Lennon at the Central Bus Station, Flies and Porcupines, and The Girl Who Lived Near the Sun.
Two more sampling’s…..
Wisdom words from Grandma:
“Back in my day, parents still had a say in the matter, but today all I keep hearing is how they have to let you kids make your own mistakes. That it’s the only way to get life experience. But you know what happens then? You kids get lost. You make so many mistakes that you find yourself on the other side of the solar system alone”.
Grandma speaks again…
“What can I say, bubele, you can’t keep putting your life on hold like this, it just doesn’t work that way. You’re not the only person in the world who has questions, believe me. The problem is that no one has the guts to tell you you’re not going to find the answers”.
Wonderful heartfelt stories….what’s ‘not’ to love?/!!!
Thank you Netgalley, Astra Publishing House, and Iddo Gefen (I’m a new fan)
April 7, 2021
I’m honored and privileged to be the first person to review this book on Goodreads. Because it’s really good. In fact, it’s dangerously close to excellent.
For me the location was the main draw, I love reading internationally and have read some interesting things out of Israel. This short story collection is definitely up there quality wise. It stands to mention that this is the author’s debut and not only is he that impressively good right out of the gate, but he’s also really young, almost too young to be that good, to write fiction of such striking emotional maturity and complexity. Maybe I’m just being agist. Or maybe not. Maybe Geffen is just that unicorn of an author who genuinely understands the power of written world on a profoundly sophisticated level, after all he has the professional training and education for it, his day job actually involved studying the way storytelling affects brainwaves or something really fascinating like that. So writing fiction is a perfect companion to that and man, can this guy write.
It starts with a tale of an 80 year old widower who decides to join the army. It’s possibly the book’s longest story, though most are fairly long, getting shorter as the book progresses, and it’s perfectly emblematic of this collection…it represents lives and situations singular to its place of origin and does it warmly, humorously, wryly, empathetically and realistically.
The stories continue in similar way until about midway through where they, quite seamlessly, veer into science fiction territory, all the while maintaining a characters first approach, specifically Israeli characters first, so it’s really just a continuation of the theme, just done from different angles. Very interesting and original angles, too, exactly my sort of both fiction and science fiction. And what themes...all the main themes... modern oxymoron of an intricately interconnected world and disconnected individuals, love, loneliness, search for meaning and place in the world. All the important things in life.
Be it on the Jerusalem Beach (the collection’s most emotionally potent tale about an elderly couple saying goodbye) or in outer space on a privately owned planet closest to the Sun, these stories do a terrific job of representing the mentality and inner workings of a modern society whose idiosyncrasies reflect its singular geopolitics. The author definitely accomplishes to bring to the table all that the official book description promises and more and does so excellently. I’m say he’s a prodigious talent, but that might be considered agist also, so…let’s just say he’s really timelessly good, clever, versatile, emotionally intelligent, etc. and I’d be very interested in checking out his next book, a novel this time, whenever it comes out. This was a great read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
For me the location was the main draw, I love reading internationally and have read some interesting things out of Israel. This short story collection is definitely up there quality wise. It stands to mention that this is the author’s debut and not only is he that impressively good right out of the gate, but he’s also really young, almost too young to be that good, to write fiction of such striking emotional maturity and complexity. Maybe I’m just being agist. Or maybe not. Maybe Geffen is just that unicorn of an author who genuinely understands the power of written world on a profoundly sophisticated level, after all he has the professional training and education for it, his day job actually involved studying the way storytelling affects brainwaves or something really fascinating like that. So writing fiction is a perfect companion to that and man, can this guy write.
It starts with a tale of an 80 year old widower who decides to join the army. It’s possibly the book’s longest story, though most are fairly long, getting shorter as the book progresses, and it’s perfectly emblematic of this collection…it represents lives and situations singular to its place of origin and does it warmly, humorously, wryly, empathetically and realistically.
The stories continue in similar way until about midway through where they, quite seamlessly, veer into science fiction territory, all the while maintaining a characters first approach, specifically Israeli characters first, so it’s really just a continuation of the theme, just done from different angles. Very interesting and original angles, too, exactly my sort of both fiction and science fiction. And what themes...all the main themes... modern oxymoron of an intricately interconnected world and disconnected individuals, love, loneliness, search for meaning and place in the world. All the important things in life.
Be it on the Jerusalem Beach (the collection’s most emotionally potent tale about an elderly couple saying goodbye) or in outer space on a privately owned planet closest to the Sun, these stories do a terrific job of representing the mentality and inner workings of a modern society whose idiosyncrasies reflect its singular geopolitics. The author definitely accomplishes to bring to the table all that the official book description promises and more and does so excellently. I’m say he’s a prodigious talent, but that might be considered agist also, so…let’s just say he’s really timelessly good, clever, versatile, emotionally intelligent, etc. and I’d be very interested in checking out his next book, a novel this time, whenever it comes out. This was a great read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
July 14, 2022
The title of the book "Jerusalem Beach" interested me, as well as its glowing reviews. I wanted to read about current day Israel, written by an Israeli. I found myself liking best the first short story in the collection, probably because it was written with a sense of humor.
"The Geriatric Platoon" features a newly widowed man who decides to enlist in the Israeli army. His platoon is comprised of fellow octogenarians. The story is multi-faceted and also, looks at the widower's son, the son's ex-wife and the widower's grandson. Each person is interesting. I found the story to be funny, unpredictable and yet, full of pathos.
All of the stories were original and showed creativity. Unfortunately for me, many seemed depressing with a surreal quality.
The author works in neuro-cognitive research. Themes of illness and cognitive problems appeared in some of the stories.
"The Geriatric Platoon" features a newly widowed man who decides to enlist in the Israeli army. His platoon is comprised of fellow octogenarians. The story is multi-faceted and also, looks at the widower's son, the son's ex-wife and the widower's grandson. Each person is interesting. I found the story to be funny, unpredictable and yet, full of pathos.
All of the stories were original and showed creativity. Unfortunately for me, many seemed depressing with a surreal quality.
The author works in neuro-cognitive research. Themes of illness and cognitive problems appeared in some of the stories.
August 19, 2021
Basically, this is a must-read! I loved Jerusalem Beach so much. Waited the entire summer to get a book that would drag me into its stories like this one. I enjoyed every second of it, and couldn't stop reading the book from the moment I got it. It's so inspiring, empowering and mostly brilliant. For the readers who love to take a deep breath and dive into a whole new world, filled with complexity but also with humanity.
No doubt, this is one of the best books of the year. Do not miss it.
No doubt, this is one of the best books of the year. Do not miss it.
July 27, 2023
4.5
„Jerozolimska plaża” to zbiór czternastu różnorodnych opowiadań zręcznie połączonych przez autora mikro detalami, warto być więc uważną i spostrzegawczą - ja oczywiście jarałam się jak tylko zauważałam wzajemne nawiązania.
Dwa pierwsze teksy są najdłuższe i zajmują prawie połowę zbioru. Jednocześnie to jedne z moich ulubionych opowiadań. Pierwsze „Oddział geriatryczny” o 80-letnim wdowcu przebywającym w placówce opiekuńczej, który postanawia wstąpić do wojska oraz o jego relacji z synem i wnukiem, narratorem historii. Tak, tym opowiadaniem zostałam kupiona. Było znakomite i poruszające. Kolejny, drugi tekst kupił mnie po raz drugi opowieścią o małżeństwie, które mierzy się z przemianą córki, którą pochłania mrok. Uwielbiam też to o radiu, o starszej parze wracającej na swoją jerozolimską plażę ze wspomnień, o planecie Neptun i o produkcji snów. I tak, to mieszkanka opowiadań realistycznych i surrealistycznych, ocierających się o science fiction i psychodelię. O miłości, samotności, stracie, relacjach, sensie i bezsensie. Napisane tak, że od razu pojawiały mi się w głowie obrazy (co nie zdarza mi się często w krótkiej formie) i z niezwykle wyraziście nakreślonymi bohaterami. Wspaniałe! Ogromnie polecam i muszę (muszę!) przeczytać coś więcej od Iddeo Geffena, liczę więc, że Znak wyda jego najnowszą książkę, wydaną kilka tygodni temu po hebrajsku :) Tym razem to powieść więc już przebieram nogami!
„Jerozolimska plaża” to zbiór czternastu różnorodnych opowiadań zręcznie połączonych przez autora mikro detalami, warto być więc uważną i spostrzegawczą - ja oczywiście jarałam się jak tylko zauważałam wzajemne nawiązania.
Dwa pierwsze teksy są najdłuższe i zajmują prawie połowę zbioru. Jednocześnie to jedne z moich ulubionych opowiadań. Pierwsze „Oddział geriatryczny” o 80-letnim wdowcu przebywającym w placówce opiekuńczej, który postanawia wstąpić do wojska oraz o jego relacji z synem i wnukiem, narratorem historii. Tak, tym opowiadaniem zostałam kupiona. Było znakomite i poruszające. Kolejny, drugi tekst kupił mnie po raz drugi opowieścią o małżeństwie, które mierzy się z przemianą córki, którą pochłania mrok. Uwielbiam też to o radiu, o starszej parze wracającej na swoją jerozolimską plażę ze wspomnień, o planecie Neptun i o produkcji snów. I tak, to mieszkanka opowiadań realistycznych i surrealistycznych, ocierających się o science fiction i psychodelię. O miłości, samotności, stracie, relacjach, sensie i bezsensie. Napisane tak, że od razu pojawiały mi się w głowie obrazy (co nie zdarza mi się często w krótkiej formie) i z niezwykle wyraziście nakreślonymi bohaterami. Wspaniałe! Ogromnie polecam i muszę (muszę!) przeczytać coś więcej od Iddeo Geffena, liczę więc, że Znak wyda jego najnowszą książkę, wydaną kilka tygodni temu po hebrajsku :) Tym razem to powieść więc już przebieram nogami!
August 22, 2021
A beautiful debut, with some caveats. The stories I liked best in this collection are the ones more down to earth. When the venue shifts to outer space, I tend to drift. But the stories that grabbed me, such as the titular Jerusalem Beach, will stay with me. That one, in particular, was one of the smaller ones, but that didn't lessen its power and haunting quality.
April 22, 2021
This is such a beautiful collection of short stories.
Iddo expertly navigates through different perspectives, what it is to be human.
All stories are set in different parts of Israel and having been there a lot brought everything alive. Israel is such an odd mix of "Western" and Middle Eastern and I think the author really captures that.
There are motifs in the book with protagonists living more on the fringes of society which I found very engaging.
While his stories are surely rooted in fact there is a lovely swirl of magical realism in there. Even in the short stories the characters are fully formed, 3D people, which even some novels can't do. I would love to read anything by him in the future.
I read the English translation by Daniella Zamir. Hebrew is a gendered language and the absence of that in English made the stories really engaging because it took me a while to figure out which sex the protagonist of each story was. I found that to be a really beautiful element and recommend to Ivrit speakers, who also read English well to read this one (as well).
the book was provided as an ARC.
Iddo expertly navigates through different perspectives, what it is to be human.
All stories are set in different parts of Israel and having been there a lot brought everything alive. Israel is such an odd mix of "Western" and Middle Eastern and I think the author really captures that.
There are motifs in the book with protagonists living more on the fringes of society which I found very engaging.
While his stories are surely rooted in fact there is a lovely swirl of magical realism in there. Even in the short stories the characters are fully formed, 3D people, which even some novels can't do. I would love to read anything by him in the future.
I read the English translation by Daniella Zamir. Hebrew is a gendered language and the absence of that in English made the stories really engaging because it took me a while to figure out which sex the protagonist of each story was. I found that to be a really beautiful element and recommend to Ivrit speakers, who also read English well to read this one (as well).
the book was provided as an ARC.
August 29, 2021
Extraordinarily inventive stories in this exceedingly impressive debut collection. Some of the stories are far more speculative than I usually enjoy (I’m not usually engaged by stories set in outer-space, for instance). Here, though, the specifically Israeli connections kept me continually immersed. I’ve noted that there’s a novel coming—I’ll be waiting for it!
August 19, 2021
Jerusalem Beach is one of those special books that immediately gets your entire attention. it seems that Gefen is one of those authors that can make you feel so many emotions, with his wise and sophisticated writing. The fact that the book is taking place in Israel is even more exciting because I got to know a new scenery but with Gefen's help, it all feels so familiar and close by. I love to get to know new cultures but at the same time nothing seems strange - I related so much with the characters. The stories are so special, it feels like it's a new voice that one must not miss.
It's so beautifully written. I just loved reading it! This book is great and I would recommend anyone to read it.
It's so beautifully written. I just loved reading it! This book is great and I would recommend anyone to read it.
February 15, 2022
3,5
I guess there are almost as many reviews about short story collections containing the description 'a mixed bag' as Jeff Bezos has modern day slaves working for him, but anyway...
This collection was a mixed bag.
I guess there are almost as many reviews about short story collections containing the description 'a mixed bag' as Jeff Bezos has modern day slaves working for him, but anyway...
This collection was a mixed bag.
January 4, 2018
מאוד נהניתי. גפן כותב באינטואיציה רגשית ודמיון. יש בסיפורים מהאפל (קצת מראה שחורה כזה אבל פחות מרתיע), אבל היופי והאהבה לאנושות תמיד מחלחלת. ממכר. צלחתי את הקריאה במהירות שיא.
June 27, 2021
I was initially drawn to this book by its gorgeous pink and blue cover, which was designed by Michael Morris. Reading the description, my interest was peaked and I was intrigued. I'm a big fan of short stories and had never read anything that originated in Israel so I was really excited at the idea of discovering a new author and hoped to find something fresh within the pages of Jerusalem Beach. I had a feeling I was going to like it, I just wasn't sure how much I'd end up liking it, which was a lot.
I found it so entirely compelling, addictive almost, and completely original. The opening story stole my heart, and I sailed through the book from there onwards, my imagination running rampant, while each story took me to a new place in my mind. I felt a little jolt of excitement as I began each new story, unaware of what it would be about, or where it would take me. I always found myself pleasantly surprised, and was constantly in awe of Iddo's adventurous prose and originality.
Each story was deeply layered, engaging, and almost psychedelic. There were a few that resonated with me beyond the first one about the Neuerman family, particularly the story of an elderly couple making their way back to Jerusalem in search of a beach after sixty years away from the city, and the tale of a male and female living alone on a planet far from everyone and everything.
I found myself truly enveloped within each story, the details of them so accurately put into play and the scenes created so vividly that I could picture them in my mind. There are so many feelings, emotions, and reading between the lines with each tale. The stories explore themes of loss, grief, loneliness, and family love and bonding.
This book took really took me by surprise. The plot doesn't do it enough justice — it truly is a masterpiece, and an absolutely stunning debut. Jerusalem Beach is well worth the read.
Avocado Diaries
I found it so entirely compelling, addictive almost, and completely original. The opening story stole my heart, and I sailed through the book from there onwards, my imagination running rampant, while each story took me to a new place in my mind. I felt a little jolt of excitement as I began each new story, unaware of what it would be about, or where it would take me. I always found myself pleasantly surprised, and was constantly in awe of Iddo's adventurous prose and originality.
Each story was deeply layered, engaging, and almost psychedelic. There were a few that resonated with me beyond the first one about the Neuerman family, particularly the story of an elderly couple making their way back to Jerusalem in search of a beach after sixty years away from the city, and the tale of a male and female living alone on a planet far from everyone and everything.
I found myself truly enveloped within each story, the details of them so accurately put into play and the scenes created so vividly that I could picture them in my mind. There are so many feelings, emotions, and reading between the lines with each tale. The stories explore themes of loss, grief, loneliness, and family love and bonding.
This book took really took me by surprise. The plot doesn't do it enough justice — it truly is a masterpiece, and an absolutely stunning debut. Jerusalem Beach is well worth the read.
Avocado Diaries
July 23, 2021
On NetGalley, the description of Jerusalem Beach, Iddo Gefen’s debut collection, begins, “For fans of Etgar Keret…” I was immediately interested, as Keret is one of my favorite authors, but also skeptical that they shared anything more than the superficial connection of being contemporary Israeli short story writers. However, all my doubts disappeared after reading the first line of the first story, “The Geriatric Platoon”:
Grandpa enlisted in the Golani infantry brigade at the age of eighty.
Here is an author who can match Keret’s wit and whimsy, drawing very real emotions from very surreal situations. I don’t mean to imply that there is anything imitative or derivative about Gefen’s work; it so imaginative that there are no proper comparisons for the stories themselves, just the genius of their author. The collection takes the reader from a desolate army outpost, to a Berlin that exists only on social media, to a microplanet abutting the sun.
Gefen is a neuroscientist, and his experience flavors his writing without overpowering it. In one story, a father seeks desperately for a technology to see into his daughter’s dreams. In another, a woman and her fiancé set out to transfer memories to each other. But in all cases, the humanity is foregrounded and the technology is there only to support the author’s message.
I absolutely loved Jerusalem Beach, and I plan to read Gefen’s future work as quickly as someone can translate it (and maybe even faster if my Hebrew improves).
Thank you to Astra House for the advanced copy of this fantastic collection!
Grandpa enlisted in the Golani infantry brigade at the age of eighty.
Here is an author who can match Keret’s wit and whimsy, drawing very real emotions from very surreal situations. I don’t mean to imply that there is anything imitative or derivative about Gefen’s work; it so imaginative that there are no proper comparisons for the stories themselves, just the genius of their author. The collection takes the reader from a desolate army outpost, to a Berlin that exists only on social media, to a microplanet abutting the sun.
Gefen is a neuroscientist, and his experience flavors his writing without overpowering it. In one story, a father seeks desperately for a technology to see into his daughter’s dreams. In another, a woman and her fiancé set out to transfer memories to each other. But in all cases, the humanity is foregrounded and the technology is there only to support the author’s message.
I absolutely loved Jerusalem Beach, and I plan to read Gefen’s future work as quickly as someone can translate it (and maybe even faster if my Hebrew improves).
Thank you to Astra House for the advanced copy of this fantastic collection!
May 4, 2021
A very solid collection of (international literary fiction) stories. There's a nice variety of the types of stories and on its whole is a nice showcase of the author's talent. Recommended.
I really appreciate the ARC for review!!
I really appreciate the ARC for review!!
July 13, 2023
Doskonale dziwaczne.
February 16, 2024
2023 winner of the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature. Two novella length stories followed by eleven more traditional length short stories, they group around themes of struggles with the human brain (Gefen is a neuroscientist), human purpose and human connection. While the first few stories are the strongest, there’s maybe only one story I didn’t really like. Excellent characterization throughout.
1) The Geriatric Platoon. The protagonist’s grandfather joins a newly created army unit for the elderly, set up for obscure political reasons, shortly after his wife’s death. Sent to where they supposedly can’t get into any trouble, the men find camaraderie and renewed purpose (and daily nap permissions, walking cane allowances, etc.), while the protagonist deals with PTSD from his recent wartime service and the uncommunicative dysfunction of their family. 4.5/5
2) Exit. After moving from Tel Aviv to a rural farm in the Negev, a couple’s young daughter gradually becomes near catatonic for unknown reasons. Could a brain disorder related to remembering every single detail of her dreams, which she believes last for years, be the cause? And is it self-willed, exploring varied life possibilities, or not? 4/5
3) Jerusalem Beach. The day before going into a care home, an elderly woman with Alzheimers is brought to Jerusalem by her husband in search of “the snow covered beach in Jerusalem” which was her earliest memory and now is one of her few remaining. 4.5/5
4) Neptune. At a remote army outpost, a soldier who reminds me of Epstein from Neil Simon’s play/film Biloxi Blues challenges how the soldiers interact in the outpost’s circumscribed and rigidly hierarchical world. 3/5
5) The Girl Who Lived Near the Sun. In a future of easy interstellar travel, on a privately owned “planet” within Mercury’s orbit, two young adults struggle with the age old question of whether they can accept following the life paths expected of them, or somehow find their own. 3/5
6) Debby’s Dream House. In a secret job manufacturing dreams and nightmares for clients, a man gets his girlfriend as a subject and, fearing she may be considering leaving him, creates nightmares for her based on her body insecurities. He’s pleased it works and, disturbingly, believes it’s made them both happy. 4/5
7) 101.3 FM. An electronics repair tech comes into possession of a radio that picks up other people’s thoughts. It gives him the courage to start a new relationship and he believes he’ll always be able to give her what she wants, but, unsurprisingly, it leads to problems as well. 2.5/5
8) The Meaning of Life Ltd. A company promises to help clients find existential answers for their life in 30 days - primarily through a surprise sequence of experiencing different careers. If that doesn’t do it, there’s always the Diamond Plan upgrade! The protagonist finds there’s always something missing - until he finds a real connection with one of the company’s paid actors. 4/5
9. Three Hours from Berlin. Through his social media account a man has faked living a fabulous new life in Germany while he’s secretly been holed up in an apartment in Israel for a year avoiding anyone he knows. Lonely, he recruits a past acquaintance to join his deception. Unsure what kind of life she wants, she agrees, but he finds he can’t continue with it, and she goes off to Berlin alone… 3.5/5
10) How to Remember a Desert. A woman with a distant relationship with her son receives a memory of him from the mind of a family member thanks to a memory sharing technology that has been invented; this results in complicated feelings. 4/5
11)Anita Shabtai. She feels invisible to everyone except, she discovers, when shouting slogans at protests. To be noticed she therefore attends every protest she can, including ones both for and against the homeless refugees sleeping in a park in her neighborhood. When invited out by a fellow protestor, she cannot adjust and shouts political slogans through the restaurant. 3.5/5
12) Lennon at the Central Bus Station. His mother works at a jewelry stand in the giant Tel Aviv Central Bus Station and shopping mall, doesn’t send him to school, and they live in an abandoned store where his paranoid mother watches for people searching for them. A woman gives him a guinea pig, but he can’t feel anything for it. He bumps into Anita Shabtai from the previous story - two isolated individuals. 3/5
13) Flies and Porcupines. A boy’s older brother is killed by terrorists and as his family seems to have frozen in time he learns how to catch chunks of time in his hands, store it in bottles, and pour it over photographs to relive past moments. 3.5/5
1) The Geriatric Platoon. The protagonist’s grandfather joins a newly created army unit for the elderly, set up for obscure political reasons, shortly after his wife’s death. Sent to where they supposedly can’t get into any trouble, the men find camaraderie and renewed purpose (and daily nap permissions, walking cane allowances, etc.), while the protagonist deals with PTSD from his recent wartime service and the uncommunicative dysfunction of their family. 4.5/5
2) Exit. After moving from Tel Aviv to a rural farm in the Negev, a couple’s young daughter gradually becomes near catatonic for unknown reasons. Could a brain disorder related to remembering every single detail of her dreams, which she believes last for years, be the cause? And is it self-willed, exploring varied life possibilities, or not? 4/5
3) Jerusalem Beach. The day before going into a care home, an elderly woman with Alzheimers is brought to Jerusalem by her husband in search of “the snow covered beach in Jerusalem” which was her earliest memory and now is one of her few remaining. 4.5/5
4) Neptune. At a remote army outpost, a soldier who reminds me of Epstein from Neil Simon’s play/film Biloxi Blues challenges how the soldiers interact in the outpost’s circumscribed and rigidly hierarchical world. 3/5
5) The Girl Who Lived Near the Sun. In a future of easy interstellar travel, on a privately owned “planet” within Mercury’s orbit, two young adults struggle with the age old question of whether they can accept following the life paths expected of them, or somehow find their own. 3/5
6) Debby’s Dream House. In a secret job manufacturing dreams and nightmares for clients, a man gets his girlfriend as a subject and, fearing she may be considering leaving him, creates nightmares for her based on her body insecurities. He’s pleased it works and, disturbingly, believes it’s made them both happy. 4/5
7) 101.3 FM. An electronics repair tech comes into possession of a radio that picks up other people’s thoughts. It gives him the courage to start a new relationship and he believes he’ll always be able to give her what she wants, but, unsurprisingly, it leads to problems as well. 2.5/5
8) The Meaning of Life Ltd. A company promises to help clients find existential answers for their life in 30 days - primarily through a surprise sequence of experiencing different careers. If that doesn’t do it, there’s always the Diamond Plan upgrade! The protagonist finds there’s always something missing - until he finds a real connection with one of the company’s paid actors. 4/5
9. Three Hours from Berlin. Through his social media account a man has faked living a fabulous new life in Germany while he’s secretly been holed up in an apartment in Israel for a year avoiding anyone he knows. Lonely, he recruits a past acquaintance to join his deception. Unsure what kind of life she wants, she agrees, but he finds he can’t continue with it, and she goes off to Berlin alone… 3.5/5
10) How to Remember a Desert. A woman with a distant relationship with her son receives a memory of him from the mind of a family member thanks to a memory sharing technology that has been invented; this results in complicated feelings. 4/5
11)Anita Shabtai. She feels invisible to everyone except, she discovers, when shouting slogans at protests. To be noticed she therefore attends every protest she can, including ones both for and against the homeless refugees sleeping in a park in her neighborhood. When invited out by a fellow protestor, she cannot adjust and shouts political slogans through the restaurant. 3.5/5
12) Lennon at the Central Bus Station. His mother works at a jewelry stand in the giant Tel Aviv Central Bus Station and shopping mall, doesn’t send him to school, and they live in an abandoned store where his paranoid mother watches for people searching for them. A woman gives him a guinea pig, but he can’t feel anything for it. He bumps into Anita Shabtai from the previous story - two isolated individuals. 3/5
13) Flies and Porcupines. A boy’s older brother is killed by terrorists and as his family seems to have frozen in time he learns how to catch chunks of time in his hands, store it in bottles, and pour it over photographs to relive past moments. 3.5/5
November 21, 2021
4.5 stars
A collection of stories that encompasses so much whether it is the experience of being in the Israeli military, Alzhemiers, dreams and memories and their manipulation (Iddo Gefen works in neurocognitive research) social media and being alternately everywhere and invisible, immigrants, or relationships both familial and with a partner. There is even one story (The Girl Who Lived Near the Sun) that is set far into the future which, as someone who has never read science fiction made me hesitant at first, but whether he is writing about space or the ability to experience another's dreams or simply losing a partner to Alzheimer's the human relationships are what are central to these stories.
There are occasional links between the stories, usually a character in one making a brief appearance in another and there are themes or ideas that several of them share including opting out of life, finding a partner and dreams and the desire to share them. With simple writing and no awareness that this is a translation, I almost read this collection like a novel, story after story.
My favorites were probably those that fell on the more realistic side such as Jerusalem Beach but some of the futuristic elements he uses seem simply tools to convey human emotions. Flies and Porcupines, for example, is about a young boy who is catching handfuls of time and storing it in a jar, ultimately to spend a few more seconds with a brother killed in action. Unrealistic it may be but the emotion behind it is clear and resonant.
This is Iddo Gefen's debut -he isn't even thirty yet - but he has a novel coming out from Astra House next Spring and I'll be looking out for it with anticipation.
A collection of stories that encompasses so much whether it is the experience of being in the Israeli military, Alzhemiers, dreams and memories and their manipulation (Iddo Gefen works in neurocognitive research) social media and being alternately everywhere and invisible, immigrants, or relationships both familial and with a partner. There is even one story (The Girl Who Lived Near the Sun) that is set far into the future which, as someone who has never read science fiction made me hesitant at first, but whether he is writing about space or the ability to experience another's dreams or simply losing a partner to Alzheimer's the human relationships are what are central to these stories.
There are occasional links between the stories, usually a character in one making a brief appearance in another and there are themes or ideas that several of them share including opting out of life, finding a partner and dreams and the desire to share them. With simple writing and no awareness that this is a translation, I almost read this collection like a novel, story after story.
My favorites were probably those that fell on the more realistic side such as Jerusalem Beach but some of the futuristic elements he uses seem simply tools to convey human emotions. Flies and Porcupines, for example, is about a young boy who is catching handfuls of time and storing it in a jar, ultimately to spend a few more seconds with a brother killed in action. Unrealistic it may be but the emotion behind it is clear and resonant.
This is Iddo Gefen's debut -he isn't even thirty yet - but he has a novel coming out from Astra House next Spring and I'll be looking out for it with anticipation.
August 18, 2021
This book is truly a gem. I was stunned by how beautifully it was translated from Hebrew to English. Each story holding its own; taking us on a journey through the complexities of our conscious and subconscious minds.
I’ve always been one to be taken aback by the capabilities of the mind: the connections between mind and body, the rationalizations the mind succumbs to under different circumstances, the dramatic changes in feelings, how easily a person can get lost inside themselves, etc.
Iddo tackles all of this beautifully and creatively, in stories that take place, not only in Israel, but outer space and in Berlin.
These stories make you think about the mind's infinite possibilities; boundless, and yet sometimes shackled and/or damaged by societal expectations that influence our own feelings. These stories are heartfelt, funny and sad. But what I like most about them is how they make you think about how powerful our minds can be.
My favorites are “The Geriatric Platoon,” “The Girl Who Lived Near The Sun,” “101.3 FM,” “The Meaning of Life Ltd.,” and “Three Hours from
Berlin”
I’ve always been one to be taken aback by the capabilities of the mind: the connections between mind and body, the rationalizations the mind succumbs to under different circumstances, the dramatic changes in feelings, how easily a person can get lost inside themselves, etc.
Iddo tackles all of this beautifully and creatively, in stories that take place, not only in Israel, but outer space and in Berlin.
These stories make you think about the mind's infinite possibilities; boundless, and yet sometimes shackled and/or damaged by societal expectations that influence our own feelings. These stories are heartfelt, funny and sad. But what I like most about them is how they make you think about how powerful our minds can be.
My favorites are “The Geriatric Platoon,” “The Girl Who Lived Near The Sun,” “101.3 FM,” “The Meaning of Life Ltd.,” and “Three Hours from
Berlin”
August 19, 2021
CW: war, violence, strained parental relationships, suicide, physical violence, loss, homelessness, animal cruelty
Thank you to NetGalley and Astra House Publishing for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In this collection of stories, the reader gets a glimpse into life in Israel. The stories touch on technology and real life experiences, from familial relationships to finding success.
The blurb of this book suggests that the author keeps the reader intrigued, and I agreed with that from the first story onwards. This is a book that I requested ages ago and has been sitting and waiting to be read, so I couldn't remember what it was that pushed me to request it, but I'm mostly glad that I did. It started to get strange and some of the stories were uncomfortable - similar to second-hand embarrassment or pain. Some aspects were too much for me, but it was okay overall. Different.
Thank you to NetGalley and Astra House Publishing for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In this collection of stories, the reader gets a glimpse into life in Israel. The stories touch on technology and real life experiences, from familial relationships to finding success.
The blurb of this book suggests that the author keeps the reader intrigued, and I agreed with that from the first story onwards. This is a book that I requested ages ago and has been sitting and waiting to be read, so I couldn't remember what it was that pushed me to request it, but I'm mostly glad that I did. It started to get strange and some of the stories were uncomfortable - similar to second-hand embarrassment or pain. Some aspects were too much for me, but it was okay overall. Different.
August 2, 2021
It is perhaps the perspective of academia mixed with observational excellence that exalts this collection of short stories from being mundane to something extraordinary. Every story has foundation in realism of love and loss, old and new, young and dying, death and decay - of the worlds untold to the inexplicable infinite of stories. There are multitudes of places, things and people that Gefen touches upon and yet manages to hold back from telling everything and allows reader to feel.
The first story in the collection, The Geriatric Platoon remained a personal favorite throughout the read for its narration and the utter humanity. Gefen is an author to look for in the future, his words profound and stories grounded.
Thank you to Netgalley and Astra Publishing House for providing me with a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
The first story in the collection, The Geriatric Platoon remained a personal favorite throughout the read for its narration and the utter humanity. Gefen is an author to look for in the future, his words profound and stories grounded.
Thank you to Netgalley and Astra Publishing House for providing me with a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2021
I just finished reading Jerusalem Beach by Iddo Gefen. His short story collection spans: several cities in Israel, venturing to a virtual Berlin and even, to outer space, and he includes a wide range of protagonists: from children living in bus stations to 80 year olds re-enlisting. Some of the stories made me cry, and many brought tears to my eyes. Basically, it is fantastic (IMO of course) and, I highly recommend it.
Thank you #netgalley and Astra Publishing for my complimentary ebook in return for my honest review. #5stars
Thank you #netgalley and Astra Publishing for my complimentary ebook in return for my honest review. #5stars
August 26, 2021
I loved it. I love when I start a book and then I just can't put it down - this was one of those books. I thought all the stories were great and they all were page turners - couldn't wait to see what happened next. Really enjoyable and highly recommended.
July 12, 2021
fell in love and could not put this down.
highly recommend this!
thanks for the ARC Atrum books & NetGalley.
highly recommend this!
thanks for the ARC Atrum books & NetGalley.
June 20, 2023
Gdy otrzymałam „Jerozolimską plażę” Iddo Gefena, nie mówiły mi nic nazwisko autora ani jej tytuł. Planowałam jedynie zerknąć do środka i zatonęłam zupełnie w opowiadanych przez izraelskiego pisarza historiach i moja czytelnicza kolejka po prostu musiała zostać zakłócona.
To czternaście opowiadań odsłaniających ludzką naturę z całą jej złożonością, a ich dojrzałość i doskonałość zaskakują nie tylko dlatego, że to debiut, ale również ze względu na młody wiek Autora. Myślę, że cytat zaczerpnięty z jednego z nich „Anita Szabaj” oddaje w pewnym sensie klimat każdego z nich.
"Są tacy, dla których cała ta sprawa zwana życiem jest dość trudna."
Autor bardzo wnikliwie i empatycznie pisze o życiu i jego zakrętach, ludzkich relacjach i wyzwaniach, z którymi się mierzą. Czyni to jednak tak ciekawie i niekonwencjonalnie, inteligentnie, kreatywnie i dowcipnie, że każde kolejne pochłania się z błyskiem w oku, uśmiechem na ustach, ale i nasuwającymi się pytaniami i refleksjami.
Tematykę niektórych z Jego opowiadań bez wątpienia uzasadnia praca naukowa Autora, gdzie bada relacje pomiędzy opowiadaniem historii, ich zrozumieniem, a pamięcią i umysłem.
Jak w każdym zbiorze opowiadań znalazły się tu takie, które wyjątkowo do mnie trafiły jak „Oddział geriatryczny”, o relacji pomiędzy dziadkiem, który w wieku osiemdziesięciu lat decyduje się wstąpić do wojska, jego synem i wnukiem. Tytułowa „Jerozolimska plaża”, gdzie każdy gest dwojga staruszków jest miłością, łapie za serce i budzi tęsknotę za uczuciem tak bezgranicznym, którego każdy chciałby doświadczyć.
Poruszające są również opowiadania, których bohaterowie wybierają ucieczkę przed rzeczywistością. „Trzy godziny z Berlina” pokazuje, jak łatwo wykreować życie na użytek innych, ale czy daje ono satysfakcję? I czy ucieczka w senne marzenia może być wyborem, jak ma to miejsce w opowiadaniu „Exit”?
W niektórych z historii Autor wybiega w przyszłość umożliwiając bohaterom wymianę wspomnień, podróże na inne planety czy tworzenie na zlecenie ministerstwa zdrowia snów i koszmarów sennych. W każdej z nich jednak na plan pierwszy wysuwają się najbardziej skrywane ludzkie lęki, poszukiwanie swojego miejsca, sensu życia i bliskości. Czy trzeba krzyczeć, żeby nas usłyszano? A może czasem warto "pogodzić się z tym, że nie każda tajemnica w życiu ma jasne wytłumaczenie"?
Błyskotliwe, zaskakujące i naprawdę poruszające historie. Jeśli Autor wyda powieść będę pierwszą, która po nią sięgnie!
To czternaście opowiadań odsłaniających ludzką naturę z całą jej złożonością, a ich dojrzałość i doskonałość zaskakują nie tylko dlatego, że to debiut, ale również ze względu na młody wiek Autora. Myślę, że cytat zaczerpnięty z jednego z nich „Anita Szabaj” oddaje w pewnym sensie klimat każdego z nich.
"Są tacy, dla których cała ta sprawa zwana życiem jest dość trudna."
Autor bardzo wnikliwie i empatycznie pisze o życiu i jego zakrętach, ludzkich relacjach i wyzwaniach, z którymi się mierzą. Czyni to jednak tak ciekawie i niekonwencjonalnie, inteligentnie, kreatywnie i dowcipnie, że każde kolejne pochłania się z błyskiem w oku, uśmiechem na ustach, ale i nasuwającymi się pytaniami i refleksjami.
Tematykę niektórych z Jego opowiadań bez wątpienia uzasadnia praca naukowa Autora, gdzie bada relacje pomiędzy opowiadaniem historii, ich zrozumieniem, a pamięcią i umysłem.
Jak w każdym zbiorze opowiadań znalazły się tu takie, które wyjątkowo do mnie trafiły jak „Oddział geriatryczny”, o relacji pomiędzy dziadkiem, który w wieku osiemdziesięciu lat decyduje się wstąpić do wojska, jego synem i wnukiem. Tytułowa „Jerozolimska plaża”, gdzie każdy gest dwojga staruszków jest miłością, łapie za serce i budzi tęsknotę za uczuciem tak bezgranicznym, którego każdy chciałby doświadczyć.
Poruszające są również opowiadania, których bohaterowie wybierają ucieczkę przed rzeczywistością. „Trzy godziny z Berlina” pokazuje, jak łatwo wykreować życie na użytek innych, ale czy daje ono satysfakcję? I czy ucieczka w senne marzenia może być wyborem, jak ma to miejsce w opowiadaniu „Exit”?
W niektórych z historii Autor wybiega w przyszłość umożliwiając bohaterom wymianę wspomnień, podróże na inne planety czy tworzenie na zlecenie ministerstwa zdrowia snów i koszmarów sennych. W każdej z nich jednak na plan pierwszy wysuwają się najbardziej skrywane ludzkie lęki, poszukiwanie swojego miejsca, sensu życia i bliskości. Czy trzeba krzyczeć, żeby nas usłyszano? A może czasem warto "pogodzić się z tym, że nie każda tajemnica w życiu ma jasne wytłumaczenie"?
Błyskotliwe, zaskakujące i naprawdę poruszające historie. Jeśli Autor wyda powieść będę pierwszą, która po nią sięgnie!
April 18, 2024
It started out so fast that by the time I noticed, it was speeding along without me. p24
Iddo Gefen has a casual way of slipping into a story, handing out the facts and speculations when needed, plunging the somewhat reassured reader into a variety of awkward circumstances as if they were commonplace.
People walk around their entire life trying to be unique, but the moment they lose control, the body takes over and they all react the same way. p86
The stories veer from mundane family dynamics to sheer fantasy. My favorite is the title story and there were others of merit, especially the somewhat hilarious Geriatric Platoon.
I've already decided that wherever I manage to find solace, I won't go looking for the reason. p18
Pondering that resolve, I looked for a reason that, for all of the authors confidence, I could not find solace here. I finally realized that it was a sense of absence that ghosted even the stories that acknowledged the conflict, there were no Palestinians visible. I think this is a flaw that deducts a point in my rating.
Iddo Gefen has a casual way of slipping into a story, handing out the facts and speculations when needed, plunging the somewhat reassured reader into a variety of awkward circumstances as if they were commonplace.
People walk around their entire life trying to be unique, but the moment they lose control, the body takes over and they all react the same way. p86
The stories veer from mundane family dynamics to sheer fantasy. My favorite is the title story and there were others of merit, especially the somewhat hilarious Geriatric Platoon.
I've already decided that wherever I manage to find solace, I won't go looking for the reason. p18
Pondering that resolve, I looked for a reason that, for all of the authors confidence, I could not find solace here. I finally realized that it was a sense of absence that ghosted even the stories that acknowledged the conflict, there were no Palestinians visible. I think this is a flaw that deducts a point in my rating.
October 27, 2024
1.2
Nie zasługuje na 2 gwiazdki.
Nie zasługuje na 2 gwiazdki.
December 21, 2022
Novelių ir apsakymų rinkinys, kuriame susilieja absurdas, fantastika ir labai jautrūs žmogiški dalykai. Pasitelkdamas minčių eksperimentus (beje, smegenyse aktyvuojančius bangą N400) autorius kalba apie būtį, meilę, karą, šeimos santykius, depresiją, jautrumą, kitoniškumą, nepamiršdamas įpinti ir žinių, sukauptų atliekant smegenų tyrinėjimus. Pavyksta labai graži sintezė – šiek tiek humoro, šiek tiek ilgesio, šiek tiek faktų, šiek tiek dramos. Visai kaip gyvenime.
December 6, 2021
Let me start out by saying that I'm not typically a fan of short stories. They generally don't allow enough time for me to get attached to the characters, see their development, and most problematically (for me), they tend to end in a very abrupt way, but this book completely changed how I think about short stories.
With this collection, Iddo Gefen has provided 13 short stories that are full of deep, complex characters that I wanted to see more of. Inevitably, I was disappointed when the story ended, because I wasn't ready to let them go - I found myself getting attached to characters in each story, and wanting to find out what happened to them after. Granted, I found myself liking some of the characters more than others, but each of the stories was beautiful and poignant in it's own way, and this is the kind of book that will stay with me for a long time.
It offers little insights of life in various segments of modern Israeli society, ranging from the very young to the very old, and both genders. Gefen's writing is gorgeous, and the voice changes from story to story, making it believable. As I read it, I was transported to a completely different part of the world, and that's always the mark of a good writer, in my opinion. It makes the different worlds seem more like a global community, where no matter who we are and where we come from, we all have the same feelings - love, fear, insecurity, helplessness, concerns about aging, worries about what to do next in our life, and loss. I'll be eagerly anticipating whatever Gefen comes out with next.
With this collection, Iddo Gefen has provided 13 short stories that are full of deep, complex characters that I wanted to see more of. Inevitably, I was disappointed when the story ended, because I wasn't ready to let them go - I found myself getting attached to characters in each story, and wanting to find out what happened to them after. Granted, I found myself liking some of the characters more than others, but each of the stories was beautiful and poignant in it's own way, and this is the kind of book that will stay with me for a long time.
It offers little insights of life in various segments of modern Israeli society, ranging from the very young to the very old, and both genders. Gefen's writing is gorgeous, and the voice changes from story to story, making it believable. As I read it, I was transported to a completely different part of the world, and that's always the mark of a good writer, in my opinion. It makes the different worlds seem more like a global community, where no matter who we are and where we come from, we all have the same feelings - love, fear, insecurity, helplessness, concerns about aging, worries about what to do next in our life, and loss. I'll be eagerly anticipating whatever Gefen comes out with next.
July 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! I thought the themes that repeated throughout several of the stories were all interesting, and each time they were approached in refreshing new tones that really gave the whole book a good sense of connection through disparate stories. Although some were more science fiction-y than others, there was still a sense that every story took part within the same world, perhaps over a few different decades. I felt as though the pace and meter of the writing was a little stilted, which could be due to the fact that this book is translated from Hebrew, but it was easy enough to look past. I often find with short story collections that I could take some and leave some, and that was definitely the case with Jerusalem Beach. But in general, I enjoyed the book, and I had a good time living in the stories that I did enjoy!
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