בתחילת קיץ 1970

by A.B. Yehoshua, אברהם ב. יהושע

Hebrew

59 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Abraham B. Yehoshua (Hebrew: א.ב. יהושע also: אברהם ב. יהושע) is one of Israel's preeminent writers. His novels include A Journey to the End of the Millenium, The Liberated Bride, and A Woman in Jerusalem, which was awarded the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in 2007.

Reviews

[Rebecca J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll say this right off the bat; there are moments where it is difficult to understand and I had to backtrack a few times. This is not the fault of the author this is more to do with translation. This book was translated from its original language into english so there are bound to be hiccups here and there. It was still an incredibly enjoyable read.

****Spoilers for story 1 which is called Early in the Summer of 1970**** Sorry!!!!



Story 1–Early in the Summer of 1970 5⭐️
My first impression of the father is dedication and loyalty. He was completely ready to retire and then the war started and he went ‘no, the students need a teacher and theirs are being pulled away because they’re young and fit. I’m older and experienced so I’ll stay and continue on.’

There is some forward and backward looking in this story which normally I’m not fond of but in this one it worked. We get a glimpse of who the son was. A man who had lived in America for years and came home with a wife and son, the father not understanding a word the grandson (toddler~3) and wife are saying because he doesn’t speak English well enough to catch their words when they talk that fast. The family eventually moves to Jerusalem and that is where things go…horribly wrong.

The grief conveyed in this short story, the dedication to not only identify his son but to inform his daughter in law and grandson of the news. The love the father has is vast and unyielding. This is just…wow. Then to find out it was a mistake and to have it all shattered again in 5-6 hours time…

A.B. Yehoshua you diabolical genius of emotional roller coasters.


Story 2 —Missile Base 612 3⭐️
This one didn’t hit me quite as hard. I found it…I mean is was there. I enjoyed the read for what it was but it didn’t have the same bite the first story did.


Story 3–The Last Commander 5⭐️
This one brought it back and man they played the long game. I loved it. I’d go into more detail but I think I might have done too much with story 1 so…let’s just say when people are determined to get what they want XD and the subtleties *chiefs kiss*

[Jason Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story collection, unusual for Yehoshua, better known as a novelist. Brilliant stories about war and its effect on those fighting it and at home.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.25 stars.
"And we cut across the empty playground simmering in the sun" (20). *Simmering. Perfect.
"...his plodding pen" (79). *And plodding.