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Our Israeli Diary - Of That Time, Of That Place
'Harold has concentrated his shopping for the trip on shoes… Our feet seem to have been much on our minds. I think we both believe we shall tramp through a great deal of history.'
In May 1978, the award-winning biographer Antonia Fraser and celebrated playwright Harold Pinter boarded a flight destined for Tel Aviv. Despite a number of previous invitations, it was to be the first time either of them had travelled to Israel. Over the two weeks that follow, the tensions of the period are painfully visible, the story of the country is heard through some of its most historically significant sites and touching insights into Fraser and Pinter’s relationship reveal themselves. There are also intriguing hints as to Pinter’s feelings upon finally visiting the place that has become home to his Jewish heritage.
As they move from Jerusalem to Masada to Bethlehem, they break bread and debate the state of Israel with everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Shimon Peres. Charmingly narrated, embroidered by effervescent flourishes and wonderfully British notes of humour, Our Israeli Diary is a unique picture of a time, a place and two of our most-loved literary stars.
In May 1978, the award-winning biographer Antonia Fraser and celebrated playwright Harold Pinter boarded a flight destined for Tel Aviv. Despite a number of previous invitations, it was to be the first time either of them had travelled to Israel. Over the two weeks that follow, the tensions of the period are painfully visible, the story of the country is heard through some of its most historically significant sites and touching insights into Fraser and Pinter’s relationship reveal themselves. There are also intriguing hints as to Pinter’s feelings upon finally visiting the place that has become home to his Jewish heritage.
As they move from Jerusalem to Masada to Bethlehem, they break bread and debate the state of Israel with everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Shimon Peres. Charmingly narrated, embroidered by effervescent flourishes and wonderfully British notes of humour, Our Israeli Diary is a unique picture of a time, a place and two of our most-loved literary stars.
- GenresNonfiction
176 pages, Hardcover
Published January 5, 2017
1 person is currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Antonia Fraser
183 books1,499 followersAntonia Fraser is the author of many widely acclaimed historical works, including the biographies Mary, Queen of Scots (a 40th anniversary edition was published in May 2009), Cromwell: Our Chief of Men, King Charles II and The Gunpowder Plot (CWA Non-Fiction Gold Dagger; St Louis Literary Award). She has written five highly praised books which focus on women in history, The Weaker Vessel: Women's Lot in Seventeenth Century Britain (Wolfson Award for History, 1984), The Warrior Queens: Boadecia's Chariot, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Marie Antoinette: The Journey (Franco-British Literary Prize 2001), which was made into a film by Sofia Coppola in 2006 and most recently Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King. She was awarded the Norton Medlicott Medal by the Historical Association in 2000. Antonia Fraser was made DBE in 2011 for her services to literature. Her most recent book is Must You Go?, celebrating her life with Harold Pinter, who died on Christmas Eve 2008. She lives in London.
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October 14, 2025thoroughly enjoyed. don’t think it’s particularly fair to rate someone’s personal diary entries but was definitely a fascinating snippet into Israel in 1978.
July 4, 2017
A short volume, extracted from Fraser’s journals (but not previously included in her longer volume “Must You Go?”), this book chronicles Fraser’s visit to Israel with her partner Harold Pinter. The book is a travel diary chronicled by an author with a sharp eye, a sense of history, and a subtly dry sense of humor. She is also, as a Christian and a European aristocrat, something of an outsider (Pinter was going to Israel to reconnect with his Jewish roots).
The book effectively evokes the numerous places they visited, including a particularly harrowing journey to Masada (described as “vertiginous,” the ascent makes Pinter physically ill, and Fraser writes: “We don’t discuss the possibility of what happens if H. can’t come down...I mean, does he live up here? Like the Zealots?” He does, with difficulty, come down. With my own fear of heights I can relate.)
Fraser also describes the various people they met (including an assortment of cultural figures and journalists) and the perspectives they get on the country. (It’s good to have Google handy if, like me, you aren’t sure who the social and political players were in 1978.) Menachem Begin had just taken office and dismayed many liberal Israelis (“I’m sorry you should come here now when we have a Fascist government,” Pinter’s cousin tells them).
The diary also touches on the question of settlements and the “us and them” attitude between Jews and Arabs: “I think of American settlers in the West and the native Indians. What is the right anyway?” (Fraser notes in “Must You Go?” that she and Pinter didn’t actually meet any Arabs.) Nearly 40 years later we haven’t gotten much further on these questions.
As a side note I enjoyed Fraser’s thoughts about all the books of Jewish history she read during the trip (no e-books in those days!) such as the history “O Jerusalem!” by Larry Collins, “My Life” by Golda Meir, Edmund Wilson’s “The Scrolls from the Dead Sea,” and others. That’s preparation!
Fraser is an entertaining companion and reading her experiences reminded me that Israel, like everywhere else, is more than the sum of its distressing news headlines. I enjoyed reading this book, which made me feel a little more adventurous about visiting the Middle East. It’s a quick read and you may feel inspired to take a trip of your own after reading it.
The book effectively evokes the numerous places they visited, including a particularly harrowing journey to Masada (described as “vertiginous,” the ascent makes Pinter physically ill, and Fraser writes: “We don’t discuss the possibility of what happens if H. can’t come down...I mean, does he live up here? Like the Zealots?” He does, with difficulty, come down. With my own fear of heights I can relate.)
Fraser also describes the various people they met (including an assortment of cultural figures and journalists) and the perspectives they get on the country. (It’s good to have Google handy if, like me, you aren’t sure who the social and political players were in 1978.) Menachem Begin had just taken office and dismayed many liberal Israelis (“I’m sorry you should come here now when we have a Fascist government,” Pinter’s cousin tells them).
The diary also touches on the question of settlements and the “us and them” attitude between Jews and Arabs: “I think of American settlers in the West and the native Indians. What is the right anyway?” (Fraser notes in “Must You Go?” that she and Pinter didn’t actually meet any Arabs.) Nearly 40 years later we haven’t gotten much further on these questions.
As a side note I enjoyed Fraser’s thoughts about all the books of Jewish history she read during the trip (no e-books in those days!) such as the history “O Jerusalem!” by Larry Collins, “My Life” by Golda Meir, Edmund Wilson’s “The Scrolls from the Dead Sea,” and others. That’s preparation!
Fraser is an entertaining companion and reading her experiences reminded me that Israel, like everywhere else, is more than the sum of its distressing news headlines. I enjoyed reading this book, which made me feel a little more adventurous about visiting the Middle East. It’s a quick read and you may feel inspired to take a trip of your own after reading it.
June 2, 2019
Not sure what Fraser wanted to convey but what comes across is an over-privileged, over-intellectual pair who are moany and a bit pathetic, especially in contrast to the inhabitants of their host country. Not particularly well written or insightful - not really worthy of publication. As an historical document of Israel in 1978 it is okay and of the British upper classes/cultural elite it is better. They make a very old 45/47 year old couple.
March 14, 2023
Excellent. The depiction of Israel coincided with my impressions, having visited a few times in the 1980s, both for business and as a backpacker, especially the Masada, Dead Sea and Tiberius sections. Antonia presented the historical context accurately and impartially. An easy and entertaining read and well written I thought, and I enjoyed the snapshots of Shimon Peres, Teddy Kollet, David Mercer, Jackie K and others. I really ought to read one of her histories.
August 15, 2025
It's a short book, a collection of notes of who
Antonia met, where she visited in Israel: more diary than travel book. There is an understanding of the coming plight of Palestinians but an overriding pro-
Israel bias which is how most of the world was at the time, so an interesting perspective
Antonia met, where she visited in Israel: more diary than travel book. There is an understanding of the coming plight of Palestinians but an overriding pro-
Israel bias which is how most of the world was at the time, so an interesting perspective
March 22, 2017
I did enjoy reading this book and I felt as if I was there but because if was written 40 years ago events and people that are referred to are before my time, so I did not know who/what they were. If you had the time you could look these things/people up which would make the book more enjoyable.
February 6, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
The diary covers a trip made by biographer Antonia Fraser and her partner, the playwright Harold Pinter, in May 1978. They stay in Jerusalem and travel to historic sites, as well as attending cultural events and dinner parties. Fraser notes her impressions of Israel and of the people they meet there during the 15 days of their trip.
The subtitle of the book is Of That Time, Of That Place and that is exactly what Fraser has captured. This is Israel at a particular point in its history, and the tensions and unrest of the period are never far away - military checkpoints, rocket attacks, meeting people bereaved by the Yom Kippur War. Fraser recalls discussions about politics and politicians, and meets some of the key figures of the time. She and Pinter also attend cultural and social events, as well as visiting many of the key sights of the region, and these are described with an engaging mixture of curiosity and mischief.
The descriptions of people and places are fascinating, but the real joy of this diary lies in the glimpses into the relationship between Fraser and Pinter. There are many touching moments, such as when Fraser helps Pinter deal with an attack of vertigo at the historic site of Masada, and their mutual respect and affection is clear.
A unique and special record of the private thoughts and experiences of a publicly renowned couple, in a fascinating setting.
The diary covers a trip made by biographer Antonia Fraser and her partner, the playwright Harold Pinter, in May 1978. They stay in Jerusalem and travel to historic sites, as well as attending cultural events and dinner parties. Fraser notes her impressions of Israel and of the people they meet there during the 15 days of their trip.
The subtitle of the book is Of That Time, Of That Place and that is exactly what Fraser has captured. This is Israel at a particular point in its history, and the tensions and unrest of the period are never far away - military checkpoints, rocket attacks, meeting people bereaved by the Yom Kippur War. Fraser recalls discussions about politics and politicians, and meets some of the key figures of the time. She and Pinter also attend cultural and social events, as well as visiting many of the key sights of the region, and these are described with an engaging mixture of curiosity and mischief.
The descriptions of people and places are fascinating, but the real joy of this diary lies in the glimpses into the relationship between Fraser and Pinter. There are many touching moments, such as when Fraser helps Pinter deal with an attack of vertigo at the historic site of Masada, and their mutual respect and affection is clear.
A unique and special record of the private thoughts and experiences of a publicly renowned couple, in a fascinating setting.
January 12, 2017
This was a Goodreads Giveaway and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love reading about trips abroad and this one was about Antonia and Harold's visit to Israel in the 1970's. Having never been there myself - yet!- it was so interesting to read about the places they visited, the people they met, etc. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about overseas countries.
July 16, 2017
An interesting visit to Israel with Fraser's partner and later husband. Details their daily activities and impressions. A quick read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews