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Scenes from Village Life
Scenes from Village Life | Amos Oz
2 posts | 4 read | 4 to read
Scenes from Village Life is like a symphony, its movements more impressive together than in isolation. There is, in each story, a particular chord or strain; but taken together, these chords rise and reverberate, evoking an unease so strong its almost a taste in the mouth . . . Scenes from Village Life is a brief collection, but its brevity is a testament to its force. You will not soon forget it.New York Times Book Review Strange things are happening in Tel Ilan, a century-old pioneer village. A disgruntled retired politician complains to his daughter that he hears the sound of digging at night. Could it be their tenant, that young Arab? But then the young Arab hears the digging sounds too. And where has the mayors wife gone, vanished without a trace, her note saying Dont worry about me? Around the village, the veneer of new wealthgourmet restaurants, art galleries, a winerybarely conceals the scars of war and of past generations: disused air-raid shelters, rusting farm tools, and trucks left wherever they stopped. Scenes From Village Life is a memorable novel in stories by the inimitable Amos Oz: a brilliant, unsettling glimpse of what goes on beneath the surface of everyday life. Translated from the Hebrew by Nicholas de Lange Finely wrought . . . Oz writes characterizations that are subtle but surgically precise, rendering this work a powerfully understated treatment of an uneasy Israeli conscience." Publishers Weekly, starred Informed by everything, weighed down by nothing, this is an exquisite work of art.The Scotsman
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review
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Mehso-so

This book is a series of stories about life in the fictional Israeli village of Tel Ilan and this was a weird collection. All of the characters felt uncomfortable in their life, full of unease, and wanting something different than what they had. Only one moment stays with me, one where a man climbs into bed with another man and that man's elderly mother. Wait...what?! Yes.
Each story was interesting enough and written descriptively, ⬇️

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick but they just end. There's really no conclusion and they don't "come together" at the end. Amos Oz is one of the most famous Israeli authors but this one didn't impress me. I may try another in the future.

#FoodAndLit @butterfinger @Texreader @Catsandbooks and another #bookspinbingo square @TheAromaofBooks
4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Butterfinger Oh my goodness gracious. The things you find in these reading challenges. 4y
See All 6 Comments
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Butterfinger If it's any comfort, it wasn't sexual. 🤣 4y
Butterfinger @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick okay. I read The Piano Teacher and the daughter tries to seduce her own elderly mother. It came from a challenge and I can't get the image out of my memories. 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Butterfinger Wow! That's one troubled lady. I've added it to my Hoopla list in case I feel the need to explore this further. 😁 I have another one I finished yesterday that had some unsettling material. 4y
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