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biasanchez's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
akajujorge's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cuddlygryphon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
5.0
My first experience with AB Yehoshua, won’t be the last. This wonderful storyteller has mastered all of the elements of writing: plot, setting, dialog, character.
There are so many aspects I could remark on, but since other reviewers have been puzzled by the ending, I’ll discuss that.
But two comments before I get there:
1
—
The cover illustration is absolutely brilliant. Nicely dressed Zvi with his face and head faded into the background.
2
—
This shudder-inducing event: Zvi has the entry code for his car tattooed on his arm because he has forgotten the code a few times. And no one comments that the last time Jews had numbers tattooed on their arms, a Nazi was doing the tattooing, and the purpose was to track this Jew so his death could be efficiently recorded.
I think Yehoshua is making two points here. First, in the context of the story, it shows the desperate measures Zvi is willing to take: he can’t remember numbers anymore and he is afraid that he wouldn’t remember the location of a paper reminder. So the only way to retain access to the freedom his car represents is this extreme solution.
Second, though I, the reader, shuddered at this Nazi reference, the characters were unaware. They saw the tattoo as a practical, if extreme, solution. Point being: they didn’t see the Holocaust reference. Takeaway being: We can’t ever forget the Holocaust, but it doesn’t have to be ever-present in our consciousness.
THE ENDING
Some have speculated that when the Palestinian teacher shoots the deer, he is actually shooting Zvi.
Maybe. But we don’t have to assume that to understand that Zvi Luria, the human being (not zvi, Hebrew for “deer”), is in a precarious position. He is in a remote spot in the desert of south Israel, dependent on the good will of the Palestinian teacher and a somewhat hostile Bedouin driver. His family doesn’t know where he is. His wife is in Germany at a conference.
He may yet return safely to the urban balagan of Tel Aviv. He’s been lucky before.
I hope so. But I’m not optimistic.
—notes—
Great structure: the conflict is evident by page 2.
Wonderful dialog. Great ear for Jewish sarcasm. The protagonist asks his sister for recipes to use up tomatoes (he has overbought) but leaks the more serious news that he visited a neurologist the day before.
“Wait,” [his sister shouts], “stop with the tomatoes, first tell me exactly what the doctor thought.” (Page
Page 29, bottom. Maybe bad translation?
“Yoav says nothing, crestfallen. When he finally looks up, his father sees the same fear he saw in his eyes while changing his diaper. “
?? Was baby Yoav afraid of having diapers changed?
P87 “...hurry up and move to Berlin.” Meaning of Berlin for Israelis?
P127. Shabahim versus shabazim. ??
There are so many aspects I could remark on, but since other reviewers have been puzzled by the ending, I’ll discuss that.
But two comments before I get there:
1
—
The cover illustration is absolutely brilliant. Nicely dressed Zvi with his face and head faded into the background.
2
—
This shudder-inducing event: Zvi has the entry code for his car tattooed on his arm because he has forgotten the code a few times. And no one comments that the last time Jews had numbers tattooed on their arms, a Nazi was doing the tattooing, and the purpose was to track this Jew so his death could be efficiently recorded.
I think Yehoshua is making two points here. First, in the context of the story, it shows the desperate measures Zvi is willing to take: he can’t remember numbers anymore and he is afraid that he wouldn’t remember the location of a paper reminder. So the only way to retain access to the freedom his car represents is this extreme solution.
Second, though I, the reader, shuddered at this Nazi reference, the characters were unaware. They saw the tattoo as a practical, if extreme, solution. Point being: they didn’t see the Holocaust reference. Takeaway being: We can’t ever forget the Holocaust, but it doesn’t have to be ever-present in our consciousness.
THE ENDING
Some have speculated that when the Palestinian teacher shoots the deer, he is actually shooting Zvi.
Maybe. But we don’t have to assume that to understand that Zvi Luria, the human being (not zvi, Hebrew for “deer”), is in a precarious position. He is in a remote spot in the desert of south Israel, dependent on the good will of the Palestinian teacher and a somewhat hostile Bedouin driver. His family doesn’t know where he is. His wife is in Germany at a conference.
He may yet return safely to the urban balagan of Tel Aviv. He’s been lucky before.
I hope so. But I’m not optimistic.
—notes—
Great structure: the conflict is evident by page 2.
Wonderful dialog. Great ear for Jewish sarcasm. The protagonist asks his sister for recipes to use up tomatoes (he has overbought) but leaks the more serious news that he visited a neurologist the day before.
“Wait,” [his sister shouts], “stop with the tomatoes, first tell me exactly what the doctor thought.” (Page
Page 29, bottom. Maybe bad translation?
“Yoav says nothing, crestfallen. When he finally looks up, his father sees the same fear he saw in his eyes while changing his diaper. “
?? Was baby Yoav afraid of having diapers changed?
P87 “...hurry up and move to Berlin.” Meaning of Berlin for Israelis?
P127. Shabahim versus shabazim. ??
iphigenie72's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bkish's review against another edition
5.0
I cant say I enjoyed or loved this book its not meant to be enjoyed/loved. Its a powerfully gentle book and it hurts. I read it in english translation. He has really thought out this book he wrote really. and it is very subtle for us the readers to experience life with less than fully functioning brain or a functioning brain that has a small black spot on it. Everything in this book is there for a reason and it is all part of the total of it. The life of one man who is Israeli and who worked as a road engineer and who has a MD wife pediatrician and son daughter and grandchildren and an associate who is now in his old office who wants to build a Tunnel by a road so as to save a family who daughter he loves or lusts. Everything in this story fits together nothing is haphazard or accidental or mistaken. Its all a part of life and dementia is a part of life.
Personally I didnt like any of the characters and that is irrelevant.
What really puzzles me is the ending the very last thing that happens in this story The Tunnel and it happens in the area where there is to be that tunnel. And three are involved the older engineer with dementia Zvia Luria a dear or buck with same name Zvi and the beserk palestinian man father of the young woman lusted by the current road engineer. Knowing after reading this book the intent of the author this scene is very significant ....
Judy
Personally I didnt like any of the characters and that is irrelevant.
What really puzzles me is the ending the very last thing that happens in this story The Tunnel and it happens in the area where there is to be that tunnel. And three are involved the older engineer with dementia Zvia Luria a dear or buck with same name Zvi and the beserk palestinian man father of the young woman lusted by the current road engineer. Knowing after reading this book the intent of the author this scene is very significant ....
Judy
hannyreads's review against another edition
3.0
What would you do with your diagnosis of dementia? This book tries to answer that question in a tender way.
rory1387's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ooh
noice
some quotes I liked from the book:
"She actually believed in God?"
"Only when it suited her needs. She was one of those people who take God out like a handkerchief, to wipe away tears or sweat. Not a cloth hankie but a tissue, which afterward blows away in the wind."
"You really believe in this country?"
"What choice do I have?"
this made me feel smart.
I really enjoyed how Zvi's memory loss progressed throughout the book, and at the end he doesn't remember where he lives or his own name.
noice
some quotes I liked from the book:
"She actually believed in God?"
"Only when it suited her needs. She was one of those people who take God out like a handkerchief, to wipe away tears or sweat. Not a cloth hankie but a tissue, which afterward blows away in the wind."
"You really believe in this country?"
"What choice do I have?"
this made me feel smart.
I really enjoyed how Zvi's memory loss progressed throughout the book, and at the end he doesn't remember where he lives or his own name.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent