אוטוקורקט

by Etgar Keret, אתגר קרת (Author's Hebrew name)

"אני יושב עכשיו במרפסת הדירה שלי, רואה טלוויזיה ואוכל זיתים.
היה קצת מסובך להוציא לכאן את הטלוויזיה, אבל אם זה הסוף, אין כמו לסיים הכל עם כמה כוכבים בשמים וטלנובלה ארגנטינאית גרועה על המסך. זה פרק 436 ואני לא מכיר את הדמויות. הן יפות, הן נרגשות, הן צועקות זו על זו בספרדית. אין תרגום, אז קשה להבין על מה בדיוק.
אני עוצם עיניים ונזכר באישה מהסופר. כשהתחבקנו ניסיתי להיות קטן, להיות יותר חמים משאני באמת, ניסיתי להריח כאילו רק הרגע נולדתי.״

אוטוקורקט הוא קובץ הסיפורים השביעי של אתגר קרת.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Israel, Magical Realism, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fantasy

166 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2024

About the author

Born in Ramat Gan in 1967, Etgar Keret is a leading voice in Israeli literature and film. His books have been published in over four dozen languages and his writing has appeared in The New York Times, Le Monde and The New Yorker, among others. His awards include the Cannes Film Festival's "Caméra d'Or" (2007), the Charles Bronfman Prize (2016) and the prestigious Sapir Prize (2018). Over a hundred short films and several feature films have been based on his stories. Keret teaches creative writing at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Since 2021, he has been publishing the weekly newsletter "Alphabet Soup" on Substack.

Reviews

[Stacey B]

For me, this book of short stories was a little confusing.
So much so, that after finishing it, I was at a loss which precipitated me to look up the authors purpose re this book on a few different sites as well as some Gdrs reviews.
I did find answers, but not yet convinced this book isnt for me. Many stories were a little too dark where I felt some endings werent pertinent to the story itself -in my mind. Hence.. "AutoCorrect". That I get. :)
I have read and loved many books by Keret. This one surprised me.
Feeling as though its only me that didnt "get it", Im going to pass on the rating and read it again from a different lens with some knowledge behind it.

[Connie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the single short story "A World Without Selfie Sticks" from this collection. A man sees a woman who resembles his former girlfriend, Debbie, in a coffee shop. Debbie had recently left New York City to study in Australia. Not-Debbie is a doppelganger from another universe who is competing in a reality game show. The contestants are sent to a parallel universe to find the one thing that exists in their world, but not in the universe they have been sent to. Last year's winner found that they were sent to a world without selfie sticks. What is lacking in New York City?

The short story had an unexpected ending. "A World Without Selfie Sticks" is an entertaining story--romantic, philosophical, and humorous. After reading this one story, I wanted to read more of Etgar Keret's work. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

Thanks to Melanie for the story. "A World Without Selfie Sticks" is on Etgar Keret's Substack blog.

[Nadine in California · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultra short stories (averaging 3 or 4 pages) of quirky speculative fiction with an existential bent. Keret never takes the expected path, so even the very shortest can surprise. Is there such a thing as comic pathos? If there is, these stories are it. There's no other brain quite like Keret's. The first story was my favorite, but there were very few (maybe none?) that didn't work for me. I had to read all the stories in one go to get the book back to the library, but that is definitely not the way to do it. Dipping in for two or three stories at a time is the best way to savor this author.

[cycads and ferns · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's about time we acknowledge it: people are not very good at remembering things the way they really happened. If an experience is an article of clothing, then memory is the garment after it's been washed, not according to the instructions, over and over again: the colors fade, the size shrinks, the original, nostalgic scent has long since become the artificial orchid smell of fabric softener.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. So rarely does a story collection captivate me from start to finish, but this one did. Each story grabbed me with its zany premise, at times they’re exploring a dystopian world, at others a parallel one, and others are rooted firmly in reality but still contain an element of absurdity. The stories are short so the focus isn’t so much on the characters or on making these well rounded “stories”, but more so work to make a point or reach a punch line. Sure, some of these morals or lessons or takeaways can be a little on the nose and they don’t always land, but the path to getting there is so entertaining I can’t complain.

This is my first Keret so I can’t speak to whether these stories are fresh and new or are tired reiterations of his previous work (as was stated in one review), but I know I had a great time with this collection.

Wry tales that remind you to live in the moment, that life moves quick and sometimes it’s futile, that the human experience is a strange one filled with tiny moments that mean everything and full lifetimes that mean nothing.

[Amit · Rating 4 out of 5]

וואו העונה החדשה של מראה שחורה לא רעה בכלל

[Milly Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0znj...

me la pasé increíble leyendo este libro!!!

[Brandy Leigh]

I’m sorry, these stories went in one ear and out the other. The second I started the next story, I completely forgot what the previous one was even about.

40% dnf and that was after OVER a month trying.

[Roula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Τον Κερετ τον γνώρισα πριν περίπου 5 χρόνια στην εποχή της καραντίνας όπου τυχαία είχα διαβάσει μια από τις συλλογές διηγημάτων του . Περίπου τότε εκείνος έγραφε μια άλλη συλλογή,αυτή εδώ που κρατάμε σήμερα εμείς στα χέρια μας και που τα θέματα αυτών των 30+ ιστοριών είναι σίγουρα επηρεασμένα από εκείνη την κλεισούρα ,την υπαρξιακή ανασφάλεια ,την έλλειψη επικοινωνίας κλπ . ,διανθισμένη με πολύ σύγχρονα θέματα και μοτίβα όπως τα sites γνωριμιών ,τα reality shows, τον πόλεμο..φυσικά ,την κρίση αξιών ,την έλλειψη ουσιας.
Αυτό που με έχει κερδίσει στον συγκεκριμένο συγγραφεα και τον ακολουθώ και θα εξακολουθώ να τον ακολουθώ πιστά ,είναι ότι έχει ένα ευφυέστατο μυαλό,μια εξαιρετική αντίληψη της πραγματικότητας που όμως αυτά δεν είναι αρκετά για έναν συγγραφέα ,μιας και θα μπορούσε να μεταφέρει την πεζή ,βαρετή πραγματικότητα όπως κάνουν εκατοντάδες άλλοι συγγραφείς .ο ίδιος καταφέρνει να δημιουργεί μικροσκοπικά σύμπαντα σε ελάχιστες σελίδες και να δίνει την πραγματικότητα με αιχμηρό σχόλιο και πάντα με ένα απροσδόκητο twist . Συγκεκριμένα η συλλογή ξεκινά με μια ιστορία που μιλά για την αποξένωση του ανθρώπου και τη μοναξιά μέσω μιας ιστορίας όπου ο πρωταγωνιστής συνάπτει σχέση με μια τύπισσα που προέρχεται από ένα παράλληλο σύμπαν όπου συμμετέχει σε μια τηλεοπτική εκπομπη,το θέμα της οποίας είναι να βρει ένα αντικείμενο εδώ ,που δεν υπάρχει στο δικό της σύμπαν 🤯
Αυτό λοιπόν το χαρακτηριστικό της φρέσκιας ματιας και του μελαγχολικού τόνου που πηγάζει από τη σύγχρονη πραγματικότητα στην οποία ζούμε ,καθιστά για μενα τον Κερετ έναν σημαντικότατο συγγραφέα και κάποιον που αξίζει σίγουρα να διαβαστεί .
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 αστέρια

"τρεις τα ξημερώματα είναι ζώνη υψηλής τηλεθέασης για την ψυχή . Σε λίγο θα ξεκινήσει το πρόγραμμα κι ένας Θεός ξέρει τι θα περιλαμβάνει αυτή τη φορά . Δεν είναι να απορείς ,λοιπόν, που είσαι καθιδρος . Άλλοτε προβάλουν ανησυχία ,στο τέλος της εβδομάδας κατάθλιψη ,αλλά το πραγματικό χιτ είναι εκείνο το συναίσθημα που κάνει όλο το σώμα να τρέμει και σου φράζει το λάρυγγα. Δεν είναι ευτυχία . Αν ήταν ευτυχία ,θα το καταλαβαινες . Έχεις διαβάσει αρκετά για την ευτυχία ώστε να ξέρεις πως πονάει πολύ λιγότερο."

" δεν χρειάζεται να φοβάσαι τίποτα . Είναι σαν το ποδήλατο : το σώμα θυμάται τα πάντα κι αυτή η καρδιά που μαλάκωσε όσο έμεινες μόνη θα σκληρύνει πάλι μέσα σε λίγα λεπτά ."

[Shayna Silverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely stunned after the first story and had to force myself to take breaks from reading this.

Every story is a hallow sound echoing between life and death, hope and despair, empathy and apathy, the metaphysical and AI. And yet every single one is tied up so neatly with a perfect punchline.

In short *these short stories are everything and everyone should read this author where have I been and what have I been doing*

Favs - A world without selfie sticks, gondola, eating olives at the end of the world, guided tour, present perfect, lucky us.

[Sorin Hadârcă · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful stories, amusing with a notch of sadness. Set in the near future, they deal with the anxieties of today, Israel's but not only. It's hard to single out one that stands out. "Squirrels" was a particularly memorable one, but so were many others.

One cannot feel that something went astray with the modern world, with IA and all. Nevertheless, life and death remain a big topic. Loneliness, love and letting go of personal idiosyncrasies too. The one with the house that moved, yet the husband choosing to forget about it, was very touching.

The tone reminds of Murakami's short prose, there's lightness in the backdrop of drama. At the same time, it is genuine Keret. Looking forward to his next collection whenever he's ready.

[Sam Cheng · Rating 2 out of 5]

Israeli writer Keret’s newest compilation of short stories leans into its adjectival length. They remind me of IG reels that can reach up to 3 minutes, though their effectiveness shines through when they deliver snappy content with flair to capture the scroller’s attention. Some of Keret’s stories clock in at a page long, almost as though he packages parables. Maybe it’s the brevity or the content that repetitively fixates on romantic love—the works (save the first, “A World without Selfie Sticks”) seem to have left me as quickly as they arrived.

My thanks to Riverhead and Keret for the gifted ARC. I adore mailed books.

[Marina the Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of 25 stories, I loved 7 of them, liked 5, 5 were so-so, and 8 I disliked. With Etgar Keret I never know. He has a wide range and I resonate only with a subset. But I read everything he publishes, to find those few that touch my deepest chords.

[Sheldon Compton · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of his I've given lower than five stars. Not sure...Some of them lacked the umph I've always gotten as a reader. Makes me sad. I've loved his stories for awhile now.

[Glen Helfand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't help but wonder about the psyche of a short story writer. Etgar Keret embraces the form, it is attached to his identity. Is it a short attention span thing? His books read quickly, quick bites, like snacks from the convenience store. Are we meant to savor them or inhale? (I admit to falling for quick reads.) This collection has a dark, slightly sci-fi edge, apocalyptic Jewish comedy. (Or more accurately, Israeli ironic comedy.) There is a lot of end of the world vibe, and it makes some sense that the penultimate story is an October 7 narrative about the effectiveness of prayer. There are affairs, dead dogs, traffic fatalities, dysfunctional relationships, dashed hopes. And maybe some redemption. Go figure.

[Liad Shadmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

לא המקבץ הכי טוב עד כה אבל מאוד כייף לקריאה, כמה סיפורים מעולים וסוריאליסטיים. טיפה מרגיש שהוא צפה ביותר מדי פרקים של ״מראה שחורה״ לפני שהוא כתב את הספר

[Menachem Rath · Rating 4 out of 5]

מעניין עם כמה הברקות מקסימות.
האווירה הכללית מדכדכת.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's rare for a short story collection not to be a mixed bag, but I really enjoyed these. Short, potent looks into the lives of others, and the lives of us all.

[Sarah Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this guy needs to be a screenwriter for Black Mirror

[Αλέξης Γυφτοδήμος · Rating 5 out of 5]

Από τα λίγα βιβλία με διηγήματα- ίσως το μοναδικό, που δεν μπορώ να ξεχωρίσω κάποιο ή κάποια διηγήματα που ξεχωρίζουν ή έστω που μου άρεσαν περισσότερο. Όλα τα βρήκα ξεχωριστά και μοναδικά. Ενώ είναι πολύ διαφορετικά μεταξύ τους διάβασα το βιβλίο με μία ανάσα σαν να ήταν μυθιστόρημα. Απρόβλεπτος, ευρηματικός, καυστικός, εικονοκλάστης, μοναδικός.

[gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of odd, quirky stories which are right up my alley.

[Gal · Rating 4 out of 5]

זה לא תקלה בקצה הגלקסיה אבל עדיין יש כאן כמה סיפורים מצוינים שמאוד אהבתי!

[Elazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always a thrill to read Etgar Keret’s books and stories. This collection is a bit dark and more serious than his previous books. But, still great.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bizarre little book of short stories. This author is so good at exploring the human condition and technology and moral/life choices and presenting crazy/fascinating scenarios for characters to navigate in tiny snippets. These were all so good. I kind of think many of these short stories were perfect, but would also want to see them play out in movie form. But, then, the fact that they were short also made them powerful. The translation was also very well done, incorporating colloquialisms and English-centric examples.

[Karli Sherwinter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these stories are really wonderful, as I expect from Etgar Keret. His mind is quirky, but I always find moments of connection with his thoughts. I particularly enjoyed “A World Without Selfie Sticks”, “Gondola”, “Point of No Return”, “Mesopotamian Hell”, “Modern Dance”, “Soulo”, “Genesis, Chapter 0”(I felt this one in my gut), “Autocorrect” (the title story that was particularly moving for me), “The Future is Not What it Used to Be” (the ending is hilarious and clever), “Undo”, and “For the Woman Who Has Everything.”

[Maria Grazia Carrara Gala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racconti brevi che lasciano il segno .
Una scrittura veloce , giovane , fresca … che ti schiaffeggia ad ogni pagina . In quei racconti trovi un concentrato di vita universale , utopistica, realistica . Forse per alcuni esagero ma leggendo i suoi racconti ho subito pensato alle “Città invisibili” di Italo Calvino.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved a handful of these (to name a few: “A World Without Selfie Sticks”; “Eating Olives at the End of the World”; “Autocorrect”; “Present Perfect”; “Director’s Cut”), but there were more that I was indifferent about, sadly.

[William Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable short stories, each with a twist.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Keret collection yet. Humanistic, provocative, gripping. Whataguy.

[Mark Matheson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Autocorrect’s stories are existentially probing, but fall into the pitfalls of a short story collections: they vary in quality and pacing from piece to piece. I don’t regret my time with this book, but only a few stories really blew me away; the book puts its best foot forward with the first story, “A World Without Selfie Sticks.”