A Tale of Love and Darkness
Winner of the National Jewish Book Award and The seminal classic by Amos Oz
Amos Oz was a rare talent; he wrote about reconciliation between Jews and Arabs, men and women, religious and secular beliefs all through the lens of intense compromise and intention. Protagonists resembling his mother are peppered throughout his writings as well; she is the centre of his story. This book, which has been translated into many languages, originally wasn’t intended for publishing – it was written for family and friends.
A Tale of Love and Darkness is a deeply personal and poignant memoir that explores the complex interplay of love, despair, and identity against the backdrop of a developing Israeli state. This autobiographical work lays out the narrative of Amos Oz's Jerusalem childhood in the 1940's, intricately blending the history of Israel with the story of Oz's own family, detailing their struggles, aspirations, and tragedies.
The book captures the emotional and social currents of Jerusalem in the years before Israeli statehood and during the early years of the nation. We learn about Oz's childhood in the war-torn city, his relationship with his parents, and the tragic suicide of his mother when he was just twelve years old. These personal elements are interwoven with broader themes of cultural and political significance, including the impact of the Holocaust on Jewish immigrants, the tensions between socialist ideals and reality, and the conflicts between Jews and Arabs in the region.
Oz's narrative is rich in detail and filled with introspection, making use of both humor, fear and sorrow to tell a story that is as much about a nation as it is about an individual. The memoir is not only a historical document but also a literary exploration of memory and identity, providing insights into the intricacies of life in Israel through the lens of one of its most significant literary figures. A deeply personal memoir of the author's childhood and adolescence moving from Lithuania to Jerusalem. His personal reflections intimately weave all the events that transformed him and his family; as they tell the history of the founding of Israel and the costs endemic in this historical birth. Looking with Amos Oz's eyes at the early history and founding of Israel we can see the heady promise of a Jewish homeland. As someone whose family came from Romania to Israel and onward to the United States, I see the history of my family and many other Jewish families in this powerful story
Israel, Palestine, and Peace - Essays
Our second book is titled, "Israel, Palestine and Peace". These essays illuminate the principles underlying the Two-State Solution, the Zionist Dream, and the reality of how to achieve "one land - two peoples". These essays by Amos Oz demonstrate the possibility of cooperative communication to explore a more balanced, life-affirming and judicious approach to the crisis between the Arabs and Jews. My hope is that we can learn from Amos Oz's efforts and gain understanding of what might bring peace to human endeavors.