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Underskin
After one beer with him in Tel Aviv, Nilly can’t stop thinking about Sebastian, even though she wishes she could. A relationship with this blonde, blue-eyed hunk would be impossible. He’s German, maybe the grandson of Nazis; she’s the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors whose mother boycotts German products.He’s in Israel on a musical peace mission; she was born in Ariel, an Israeli city in the West Bank that he considers an obstacle to peace. Nilly fights her attraction to the "German," but this Dresden-native is just too nice—and hot—to resist.A few dates in Tel Aviv lead to a cross-cultural, cross-country steamy romance that eventually forces them both to break taboos, challenge prejudices, and uncover family secrets.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2017
51 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Orit Arfa
4 books23 followersOrit Arfa is an author, journalist, painter, songwriter, video producer, political commentator, and media personality.
A native of Los Angeles, Orit's works are informed by the ethical dialectic that flows from her Jewish learning and tradition. Her father was born in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany to Auschwitz survivors, while her mother was born in Iraq on the eve of the mass Iraqi Jewish emigration to Israel in the wake of antisemitic pogroms. Orit led a free Jewish life in America, having attended modern Orthodox schools, but the soul of a free spirit led her to leave the Orthodox nest and tailor-make her educational journey.
While most of her peers were either bar hopping or learning Torah, Orit went college-hopping in search of "The Truth." After stints at Columbia University, Stern College for Women, Bar Ilan University, and UCLA, she graduated with a BA in Jewish studies and a minor in journalism from American Jewish University, where she also served as editor of the student newspaper.
While at Stern College, she interned at the Jewish daily Forward. Her profile of renowned Israeli mentalist Uri Geller got noticed by The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, for whom she has been writing ever since.
She moved to Israel in 1999 and continued to write about politics, society, lifestyle and travel for a variety of publications, most notably The Jerusalem Post. To catch-up on the bar-hopping she missed in college, she pioneered the nightlife section of The Jerusalem Post. But she also left room for some Torah. In 2003 she completed her MA in Bible and Jewish Thought at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies (where she managed to finally uncover "The Truth").
Her experience covering the withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 had a profound impact on Orit's view of Israel and Zionism. It was then that she began to develop her novel, The Settler.
She currently lives in Berlin where she has completed her second novel, Underskin.
A native of Los Angeles, Orit's works are informed by the ethical dialectic that flows from her Jewish learning and tradition. Her father was born in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany to Auschwitz survivors, while her mother was born in Iraq on the eve of the mass Iraqi Jewish emigration to Israel in the wake of antisemitic pogroms. Orit led a free Jewish life in America, having attended modern Orthodox schools, but the soul of a free spirit led her to leave the Orthodox nest and tailor-make her educational journey.
While most of her peers were either bar hopping or learning Torah, Orit went college-hopping in search of "The Truth." After stints at Columbia University, Stern College for Women, Bar Ilan University, and UCLA, she graduated with a BA in Jewish studies and a minor in journalism from American Jewish University, where she also served as editor of the student newspaper.
While at Stern College, she interned at the Jewish daily Forward. Her profile of renowned Israeli mentalist Uri Geller got noticed by The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, for whom she has been writing ever since.
She moved to Israel in 1999 and continued to write about politics, society, lifestyle and travel for a variety of publications, most notably The Jerusalem Post. To catch-up on the bar-hopping she missed in college, she pioneered the nightlife section of The Jerusalem Post. But she also left room for some Torah. In 2003 she completed her MA in Bible and Jewish Thought at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies (where she managed to finally uncover "The Truth").
Her experience covering the withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 had a profound impact on Orit's view of Israel and Zionism. It was then that she began to develop her novel, The Settler.
She currently lives in Berlin where she has completed her second novel, Underskin.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 25, 2017
Underskin is a book that systematically explores some very taboo topics: A good Jewish girl being attracted to a German? Check. A confident and intelligent career woman enjoying domination sex? That’s there, too. The page turning aspect of the book, however, really derives from how these subjects are handled. The author never fails to surprise by setting up a scenario we think we recognize only to take it someplace else all the while maintaining a very believable story. The well-researched details about the locations in Israel and Germany help as does the author’s witty insights into the dating game in the age of smartphones, politics and human psychology. The book is also a great way to learn about German and Israeli Jewish culture.
December 21, 2017
After The Settler, a book which I greatly enjoyed for the inquisitive challenges and painful dilemma raised after the Gush Katif episode, Orit Arfa is back with an equally interesting literary investigation. A Berlin-Tel Aviv love story between Nilly, the 'settler' girl with a Shoah survivor grandmother and Sebastian, the handsome German.
The two of them met accidentaly on a beach but feel 'some twisted way' of being connected 'by our tragic history'. The past, but also the weight of the present and the political views and mishaps are shadowing the relationship and at a certain extent it makes the communication almost impossible, and this is not because the mother tongues are different. However, there are ways to put on hold the non-stop historical buzz: over the food and by developing the physical relationship. Or through music. After all, does it matter to be 'politically aligned with a romantic partner'?
What really matters at the end of the story - at least for now - is that every generation is writting its own story, although the past is always and will always be there. I really loved that this book is creating, for the first time, a framework for discussion about what might really mean a relationship in the everyday life between an Israeli and a German, especially for Jews of European descent. And if the young people themselves are carefree and careless, their parents and relatives are not. For me, it is one of the most noticeable contribution to the discussion about the 'Israeli exodus' to Berlin written in the English language - although, a community of Israeli living in Berlin and in Germany in general exists since the late 1970s in fact, but as far as I know, without a significant literary presence.
The book also has a noticeable erotic component, and it is labelled accordingly, but I would rather consider that this aspect is just part of the story, but not the story itself.
A book recommended to anyone looking for some fresh, bold voices and point of views about the human German-Israeli story.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the author in exchange for an honest review
The two of them met accidentaly on a beach but feel 'some twisted way' of being connected 'by our tragic history'. The past, but also the weight of the present and the political views and mishaps are shadowing the relationship and at a certain extent it makes the communication almost impossible, and this is not because the mother tongues are different. However, there are ways to put on hold the non-stop historical buzz: over the food and by developing the physical relationship. Or through music. After all, does it matter to be 'politically aligned with a romantic partner'?
What really matters at the end of the story - at least for now - is that every generation is writting its own story, although the past is always and will always be there. I really loved that this book is creating, for the first time, a framework for discussion about what might really mean a relationship in the everyday life between an Israeli and a German, especially for Jews of European descent. And if the young people themselves are carefree and careless, their parents and relatives are not. For me, it is one of the most noticeable contribution to the discussion about the 'Israeli exodus' to Berlin written in the English language - although, a community of Israeli living in Berlin and in Germany in general exists since the late 1970s in fact, but as far as I know, without a significant literary presence.
The book also has a noticeable erotic component, and it is labelled accordingly, but I would rather consider that this aspect is just part of the story, but not the story itself.
A book recommended to anyone looking for some fresh, bold voices and point of views about the human German-Israeli story.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the author in exchange for an honest review
February 2, 2018
I was predisposed to like this book. Nilly is from Ariel , where one of my sons lives, but she lives in Tel Aviv, where another of my sons lives. I love to read books where I can actually visualize the setting. The author excels in telling the real history of the land of Israel, (not the revisionist history that most of the world has bought into, because of their own guilt and anti-semitism) and Jewish history. She also does a great job of describing Berlin and Dresden, their history and how they ended up with Hitler and how Germans have tried to move forward.
Nilly is a 31 year old architect, not really happy where she is in her life, when she meets Sebastian a
German peace activist/ musician on the Tel Aviv beach. They are both attracted to each other, but have a lot of cultural history separating them, plus he is only a visitor. She becomes his tour guide and he invites her to visit Berlin, which she does. Does a romance between a "settler"woman, granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and Iraqi refugees and a "traditional" Jew with a German peace activist goy have a future? Should it? You will have to read the book to find out.
The author is gifted and weaves an interesting story, blending history, politics, and the difficulty of finding a mate in this generation. She also does a wonderful job of describing the settings, for those readers who have never been to Israel or Germany. In addition, the characters are developed in great depth. And some steamy sex added for those readers who like that. A book definitely worth reading.
Nilly is a 31 year old architect, not really happy where she is in her life, when she meets Sebastian a
German peace activist/ musician on the Tel Aviv beach. They are both attracted to each other, but have a lot of cultural history separating them, plus he is only a visitor. She becomes his tour guide and he invites her to visit Berlin, which she does. Does a romance between a "settler"woman, granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and Iraqi refugees and a "traditional" Jew with a German peace activist goy have a future? Should it? You will have to read the book to find out.
The author is gifted and weaves an interesting story, blending history, politics, and the difficulty of finding a mate in this generation. She also does a wonderful job of describing the settings, for those readers who have never been to Israel or Germany. In addition, the characters are developed in great depth. And some steamy sex added for those readers who like that. A book definitely worth reading.
August 25, 2017
A wonderfully crafted novel, which addresses the topical and controversial relationship faced by this generation of Germans with its Nazi past.
Skilfully told through the eyes of an inquisitive and sexually charged Israeli single and attractive female, Nilly, the author deals with the issues within the context of Nilly's desires for a relationship with the perfectly "Aryan" Sebastian.
Both characters bare body and soul as they face demons, history and the modern challenges of Germany's relationship with the State of Israel, which emerged after the Holocaust, and where never-ending guilt may have to give way to a new era.
Orit Arfa never shies away from controversial subjects and views. She does credit to all the emotive issues, providing historical background where necessary without detracting from the underlying romantic plot. She masterfully weaves in more than ample erotica to add a further dimension to a very readable, enjoyable and thought provoking story.
Moreover, Orit never disappoints with the depth of her characters. The twists and turns of their interaction and relationship, all taking place between locations In Tel Aviv, Berlin and Jerusalem, is addictive in and of itself. She successfully brings it all together whilst retaining her ability to surprise and shock.
She is a fabulous storyteller, who uses her considerable talents to teach, inspire, surprise and arouse.
Skilfully told through the eyes of an inquisitive and sexually charged Israeli single and attractive female, Nilly, the author deals with the issues within the context of Nilly's desires for a relationship with the perfectly "Aryan" Sebastian.
Both characters bare body and soul as they face demons, history and the modern challenges of Germany's relationship with the State of Israel, which emerged after the Holocaust, and where never-ending guilt may have to give way to a new era.
Orit Arfa never shies away from controversial subjects and views. She does credit to all the emotive issues, providing historical background where necessary without detracting from the underlying romantic plot. She masterfully weaves in more than ample erotica to add a further dimension to a very readable, enjoyable and thought provoking story.
Moreover, Orit never disappoints with the depth of her characters. The twists and turns of their interaction and relationship, all taking place between locations In Tel Aviv, Berlin and Jerusalem, is addictive in and of itself. She successfully brings it all together whilst retaining her ability to surprise and shock.
She is a fabulous storyteller, who uses her considerable talents to teach, inspire, surprise and arouse.
August 25, 2017
The blending of a love story with a bit of modern day history is really interesting. I don't know much about Jewish culture but it's always interested me. Nilly is a good mix of traditional/loyal to her heritage, and modern/liberal in her personal life, and that power struggle is great to watch. Her chemistry and witty banter with Sebastian makes the story worth reading, and the sex, since this is a bit of erotica, is fantastic. It's got both the plot, and the romance/sex to keep you intrigued mind and body. I would totally recommend reading this.
September 14, 2017
Beautiful, honest, touching, and FUN to read. With a refreshing total lack of "political correctness" this novel was a deeply touching and honest portrayal of what I'm certain is a real life story of many Germans and Israelis in 2017. The brave opinions go a far way into telling the harsh truth about German and Israelis histories while making a genuinely fun and inspiring story. Chapeau.
January 29, 2024
This book is very clever, combining different political points of view, and you can learn a lot from it about historical events as well. The characters are interesting and the way the author combined dark history and dark humor is refreshing.
I really recommend it, great book.
I really recommend it, great book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews