Only Yesterday
S. Y. Agnon’s novel of the Second Aliyah, set in Jaffa and Jerusalem before the First World War. Isaac Kumer arrives from Galicia to work the land, drifts into life as a house painter, and meets his fate through a stray dog named Balak. It is widely seen as the Nobel laureate’s masterpiece.
Recommended by 1 Person
Alon Hilu
This book takes place in Jaffa between the end of the 19th century and the start of the First World War. My latest book, The House of Rajani, takes place at the same time and in the same place so I was very much inspired by his book. I read it three times in order to get the atmosphere and spirit of the place at that time. Nevertheless, when I read Agnon’s book I do have some criticisms of it.
Interview · March 2010
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