A Tale of Love and Darkness

By: Amos Oz

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 23 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Tragic, comic, and utterly honest, this extraordinary memoir is at once a great family saga and a magical self-portrait of a writer who witnessed the birth of a nation and lived through its turbulent history.

It is the story of a boy growing up in the war-torn Jerusalem of the 40s and 50s in a small apartment crowded with books in 12 languages and relatives speaking nearly as many. His mother and father, both wonderful people, were ill-suited to each other. When Oz was 12 and a half years old, his mother committed suicide - a tragedy that was to change his life. He leaves the constraints of the family and the community of dreamers, scholars, and failed businessmen to join a kibbutz, changes his name, marries, has children, and finally becomes a writer as well as an active participant in the political life of Israel. A story of clashing cultures and lives, of suffering and perseverance, of love and darkness.

©2016 Amos Oz (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Personal and Special

Oz captures the personal history in a time of upheaval. One of the most intense, funny, deeply tragic and unique stories.

Compelling

The author takes me with him into the winding alleys of his and his country's coming of age.

Engrossing

I think this book could have done with a bit of editing (parts tend to drag), but overall it is an engrossing account of the author's childhood in Israel just before statehood to the early 60s, with references to his later adult life. The death of his mother during his early adolescence is central to the narrative both in form and meaning. I can't imagine a more sensitive narrator than Stefan Rudnicki.

You definitely don't have to be Jewish

..to appreciate this masterpiece of a memoir. Oz paints a lyrical picture of his family members, their history, and his own upbringing with tremendous wit and compassion, and does not shy away from the most painful experiences. The pronunciation of a few Israel location names could have been corrected. I have no idea whether the Russian dialog was faithfully conveyed, but it sounded convincing. Overall, a wonderful reading of a masterful testament to Amoz Oz and his times.

A masterpiece

A beautiful story told in the most lovely way. I takes you to the profound psyche of a boy as he grows up. The story and history of Jewish people narrated with passion and magnificent details.

could not put it down

excellent. description of characters brought them to life..narrator
was clear telling the story .
would recommend with enthusiasm

Extraordinary record of a life and time

Oz grew up in Jerusalem under the Mandate and Mufti, the Israeli War of Independence and Palestinian Nakba. This is a memoir of his coming of age and to prominence and the terrors of post-Holocaust Palestine, his polyglot family, the trauma of his mother’s suicide. In the setting and time of his novel, My Michael, this could be a gloss to that fine work. So many memorable characters, often writers storytellers or scholars, in this profound and truthful telling.

An excellent literary work by Mr. Oz

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. His use of language, literary devices, and a love of words made me purchase a hard copy so that I could follow along. The reader’s voice complemented my visualization. I am looking forward to my next book by Amos Oz.

Interesting autobiography placed in Isreal

Story gives interesting background of Israel in the 1940-1960 era like the declaration of the state. Striking is the constant danger people had to live in. A thread in the story is the life and death of his mother.

Good but a little too long.

It is a very good book but could have used some trimming. There are things that pop up several times for , at least in my opinion, no apparent reason and, in my opinion again could have been edited.