“Literary criticism must answer one simple question: is the book good, and why? This is worth reiterating when approaching a novel like this one, which has only just emerged on the contemporary literary scene and has already garnered universal praise. Is this book good, then? Yes, it is good, even very good. But mostly, it is readable. Its style is uniform and clear and its insights are refreshing, at times cruel, but never descend into sentimental or histrionic confessions. Baram’s honesty is not cruel, and life’s moments of beauty are not trampled beneath its feet. Nevertheless, the book does contain plenty of grief, tedium, sorrow and decay. Yes, it is a novel whose range of emotions and conditions is remarkably broad–one might even say, virtuosic.”

Review in Walla by Eran Horowiz.

To read the full review click read more