All the Rivers (Initially referred to as Borderlife, (Hebrew: גדר חיה Gader Chaya, literally: "Hedgerow") is a 2014 novel written by Israeli author Dorit Rabinyan,[1] published by Am Oved in May 2014.[2] The book's English-language edition was translated by Jessica Cohen and published by Random House in the United States[3] and by Serpent's Tail in the United Kingdom,[4] both in 2017. It is considered a controversial book in Israel.
 First edition (hebrew) | |
| Author | Dorit Rabinyan |
|---|---|
| Country | Israel |
| Language | Hebrew |
| Published | 2014 |
| Publisher | Am Oved |
| Pages | 344 |
The novel was a winner of the Bernstein Prize for young writers, an Israeli award for Hebrew literature.[1][5]
Plot edit
The novel, which is set in New York City, chronicles a love affair between Hilmi, a Palestinian artist, and Liat, a Jewish Israeli translator. The two eventually separate, with the man going to Ramallah and the woman going to Tel Aviv.[2]
Controversy edit
It became controversial in Israel after being disqualified from Israeli high school curricula for its subject matter of a love story between a Jewish-Israeli woman and a Palestinian man who's of Muslim-Arab background.[1] The novel topped bestseller lists[6] once it was rejected by the Israel Education Ministry.[1][7][8] The controversy led to pro-book protests from high school teachers and principals to the Knesset Opposition head, Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog.[9][10] Shortly afterward the Ministry stated that the novel may be taught only in advanced literature classes.[11]
Besides the objections to the plot's interreligious relationship, the book has been controversial due to representing the Israel Defense Forces troops as sadistic war criminals.[12] It has been criticized for its encouragement of illegal drug use.[13] In addition, it was reported for calling the State of Israel an "Occupier", while its soldiers are compared to Hamas".[14][12]
Film adaptation edit
In December 2019, a film adaptation of the novel was announced to be in production by Gal Gadot and Keshet International.[15]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Times of Israel Staff (December 31, 2015). "Book nixed for schools over 'intermarriage' fears flies off the shelves". The Times of Israel.
- ^ a b Kashti, Or. "Israel Bans Novel on Arab-Jewish Romance From Schools for 'Threatening Jewish Identity' " (Archive). Haaretz. December 31, 2015. Retrieved on January 25, 2016.
- ^ "All the Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan | PenguinRandomHouse.com". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- ^ "All the Rivers". Serpent's Tail. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ Lazareva, Inna (December 31, 2015). "Officials ban book depicting love story between Israeli and Palestinian from Israeli classrooms". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
- ^ "Israeli-Palestinian love story omitted from curriculum tops bestseller lists". The Guardian. 2016-01-08. Archived from the original on 2023-07-29.
- ^ The Jewish Week
- ^ "Israel Bans Teaching of Novel With Jewish-Arab Love Story". NBC News. 31 December 2015. Archived from the original on 2023-07-10.
- ^ Kershner, Isabel (2015-12-31). "Jewish-Arab Love Story Excluded From Israeli Classrooms". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
- ^ Izikovich, Gili (January 7, 2016). "Demand for "Borderlife" Surges in Israel After Novel Is Banned From Schools". Haaretz. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
- ^ Kashti, Or. "Bennett Backs School Ban on Novel About Jewish-Arab Love Affair." Haaretz. December 31, 2015. Retrieved on January 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "N12 - "הספר מציג את חיילי צה"ל כסאדיסטים"". 31 December 2015.
- ^ "לא רק התבוללות: מה עוד כתוב בספר "גדר חיה"?". 31 December 2015.
- ^ "גל גדות תפיק עם קשת סרט על הספר "גדר חיה"". 24 December 2019.
- ^ Spiro, Amy (24 December 2019). "Gal Gadot, Keshet Partner on Film Adaptation of Novel Banned in Israeli Schools". Variety. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
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