Zeruya Shalev is by far one of my favorite contemporary Israeli writers and from one novel to another she is becoming more deep and meditative, dissecting love, pain and betrayal. I´ve read until now all her novels, in various translations.
Her latest, Nicht ich - Not me, in my approximate translation, from Hebrew Rakadeti. Amadeti/Dancing. Standing - translated by Anne Birkenhauer was chronologically not her latest. In fact, this book was written 30 years ago, and as the author herself mentions she kept it in the drawers for 30 years.
It is a story of a woman who abandoned her family for love, confronting her passions and temptations. Unnamed, she is confused, is wandering through the labyrinth of her own uncertainties while playing between unassumed roles of wife, mother, lover.
As a first person account, it is an unidimensional story, self-centered and we are unable to compare, explain and understand, but beyond this relative shortcoming, it touches upon very relevant strong feelings and roles assigned and expected from women, any of them.
Maybe if I would have start my exploration of Zeruya Shalev books would have been different? Not sure about it, as although a debut, Nicht ich shows a strong introspection and understanding of emotions, literary skills that I appreciate so much at this author.
A recommended read to anyone interested in strong women voices, with an unique take on deeply understanding emotional turmoils.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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