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Israeli literature

Israeli literature is literature of the nation of Israel.

It is mostly written in Hebrew and the story of Israeli literature is interesting because it is mostly the product of the revival of the Hebrew language.

Since the middle of the nineteenth century, the Hebrew language was increasingly used for speaking as well as writing modern forms of prose, poetry and drama.

History

The selection of authors mentioned here is according to the articles under #References below. Quoted text is from the 2003 article except where indicated otherwise.

The first Modern Hebrew prose in the Land of Israel was written by "immigrant authors", for example:

  • Yosef Haim Brenner () "saw flaws everywhere"; "favored the rabbinical and medieval forms of spoken Hebrew". Lived 1881-1921.
  • Shmuel Yosef Agnon () addressed "major contemporary spiritual concerns"; loss of tradition, faith, and identity; "inner uncertainties"; tragedy and the grotesque. Lived 1888-1970.

1940s and 1950s: "the War of Independence Generation". Native-born writers were conflicted "between individualism and commitment to society and state"; characterized by "social realism".

  • S. Yizhar ()
  • Moshe Shamir ()
  • Hanoch Bartov ()
  • Haim Gouri ()
  • Benjamin Tammuz ()
  • Aharon Megged ()
  • Igal Mossinsohn (, )

Early 1960s: "Very influential" writers followed less "ideological patterns", more about the individual; "psychological realism, allegory and symbolism"; "speculation and skepticism regarding... conventions".

1980s and 1990s: "Intense literary activity", aimed at "enabling readers to understand themselves", characterized "three generations" of authors, including Oz, Yehoshua, Kaniuk, as well as:

The Holocaust was put in fresh perspective by Appelfeld and Grossman, as well as (among others):

  • Yehoshua Kenaz ()
  • Yonat and Alexander Sened ()
  • Nava Semel ()
  • Esty G. Hayim

New themes arose:

  • Anton Shammas (), "an Arab-Christian writer": "the Arab village"; however, popular Israeli Arab writers such as Emil Habibi (a recipient of the Israel Prize) continue to prefer writing in Arabic.
  • Yossl Birstein (): the ultra-Orthodox world
  • Haim Be`er (): "Jerusalem's Hassidic courts"
  • Dov Elbaum , Michal Govrin : additional writers in the "religious dimension" (Furstenberg)
  • Yitzhak Orpaz-Auerbach (): the "unbeliever" when "fundamentalism is gaining"
  • Sami Michael (), Albert Suissa (), Dan Benaya Seri (): "the place of... new immigrants from Arab countries"
  • Shimon Ballas (), Eli Amir (), Amnon Shamosh (), Yitzhak Gormezano-Goren : additional writers about the Sephardi experience
  • Yitzhak Ben-Ner (), as well as Kaniuk, Grossman, Oz: "universal themes such as democracy and righteousness" during "constant challenges"

Women authors became more prominent on "general topics", as well as women's role within "Jewish tradition and... in the Zionist enterprise":

  • Amalia Kahana-Carmon ()
  • Hannah Bat-Shahar () - erotica
  • Shulamith Hareven ()
  • Shulamit Lapid ()
  • Ruth Almog ()
  • Savyon Liebrecht ()
  • Batya Gur ()
  • Eleonora Lev
  • Yehudit Hendel ()
  • Leah Aini
  • Nurit Zarchi ()

Some of these women (Lapid and Gur) began writing detective fiction, as well as:

  • Michael Barak , pseudonym of Michael Ben Zohar, a pioneer of Hebrew detective fiction
  • Amnon Dankner ()
  • Ram Oren ()
  • Amnon Jackont
  • Adiva Geffen

A "younger generation" is "more universalistic", "alienated, surreal and idiosyncratic":

  • Judith Katzir ()
  • Etgar Keret (): mostly short stories
  • Orly Castel-Bloom (): mostly short stories
  • Gadi Taub ()
  • Irit Linoor (): popular fiction, humorous romance and suspense
  • Mira Magen (): experiences of ultra-orthodox women
  • Shimon Zimmer
  • Lily Perry ()
  • Yitzhak Laor ()

Some postmodernist writers:

  • Itamar Levy
  • Yoel Hoffmann ()

A new front of young authors active in the late 1990's and new millenium (see also [1])

  • Dorit Rabinyan ()
  • Yael Hadaya ()
  • Alon Hilu
  • Dudu Bossi
  • Eshkol Nevo
  • Moshe Ophir
  • Efrat Danon
  • Alex Epstein (postmodern)
  • Maya Arad (novel in rhyme)
  • Shimon Adaf (poetry and a detective novel)
  • Yuval Shimoni
  • Avner Shavit


Writing for children:

  • Uri Orlev ()
  • Yehuda Atlas (): set a trend of writing short poems from a child's perspective
  • Ephraim Sidon : satirical writer, often writing for adults under the guise of children's books
  • Nira Harel
  • Tamar Bergman
  • Gila Almagor (): mostly autobiographical novels
  • Daniella Carmi
  • Dorit Orgad : prolific writer for pre-teens and young adults
  • Michal Snunit : short illustrated books, allegories on spirituality and emotion, popular as gift books for adults
  • Alona Frankel : "Once Upon a Potty"
  • Galila Ron-Feder Amit : prolific writer for pre-teens and young adults
  • Smadar Shir : prolific writer for pre-teens and young adults

References

  • Furstenberg, Rochelle. "The State of the Arts: Israeli Literature." Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1998. [2],
  • Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "CULTURE- Literature", 2003. [3]
  • Weill, Asher. "Culture in Israel- On the Cusp of the Millennium." Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2000. [4].


See also

Last updated: 05-07-2005 04:08:55
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04