A.B. YehoshuaA.B. Yehoshua1936-1936-

Cecilia LanderosCecilia Landeros

BiographyBiography• Abraham “Boolie” Yehoshua- Israeli Abraham “Boolie” Yehoshua- Israeli

writer, novelist essayist, and playwrite.writer, novelist essayist, and playwrite.• A.B. Yehoshua was born in the fifth A.B. Yehoshua was born in the fifth

generation of a Sephardi Jewish family.generation of a Sephardi Jewish family.• Studied literature and philosophy.Studied literature and philosophy.• Graduated (1961) from Hebrew Univ. in Graduated (1961) from Hebrew Univ. in

his native Jerusalem.his native Jerusalem.• From 1963 to 1967 he resided and From 1963 to 1967 he resided and

taught in Paris.taught in Paris.• Since 1967, has lived in Haifa, where he Since 1967, has lived in Haifa, where he

teaches at the City’s university.teaches at the City’s university.

BiographyBiography• One of Israel's preeminent writers, he has One of Israel's preeminent writers, he has

been awarded the Bialik Prize, Israeli Prize, been awarded the Bialik Prize, Israeli Prize, the Koret Jewish Book Award, and the the Koret Jewish Book Award, and the National Jewish Book Award. National Jewish Book Award.

• From the end of his military services, he From the end of his military services, he began to publish fiction.began to publish fiction.

JerusalemJerusalem• Born in Jerusalem, A. B. Born in Jerusalem, A. B.

Yehoshua is a widely Yehoshua is a widely acclaimed author of acclaimed author of numerous novels.numerous novels.

• On his father's side, his On his father's side, his family has lived in Jerusalem family has lived in Jerusalem for five generations for five generations

• Wrote a Novel, titled Wrote a Novel, titled Mr. Mr. ManiMani, with Jerusalem at its , with Jerusalem at its center. Generations of a center. Generations of a Jewish family and their Jewish family and their history in Jerusalem dating history in Jerusalem dating back to 1848.back to 1848.

Literary Style and FocusLiterary Style and Focus

• Yehoshua is known for his beautifully observed Yehoshua is known for his beautifully observed portrayals of Jewish life.portrayals of Jewish life.

• Particularly in contemporary Israel with its many Particularly in contemporary Israel with its many moral, psychological, sociopolitical, and philosophical moral, psychological, sociopolitical, and philosophical conflicts.conflicts.

• He first came to critical attention with short-story He first came to critical attention with short-story collections published in the 1960’s.collections published in the 1960’s.

• He became a notable figure in the “new wave” He became a notable figure in the “new wave” generation of Israeli Writers.generation of Israeli Writers.

• He contrasted with the social concern of earlier writers He contrasted with the social concern of earlier writers by focusing on the individual and interpersonal.by focusing on the individual and interpersonal.

Literary Style and FocusLiterary Style and Focus

• Yehoshua names Yehoshua names Frank KafkaFrank Kafka, , Shmuel Shmuel Yosef AgnonYosef Agnon and and William FaulknerWilliam Faulkner as as formative influences.formative influences.

• He has been compared to He has been compared to FaulknerFaulkner in the in the New York TimesNew York Times..

• Yehoshua attended the signing of the Yehoshua attended the signing of the Geneva Accord where he presented his Geneva Accord where he presented his political views in essays and interviews.political views in essays and interviews.

Literary Works published in Literary Works published in EnglishEnglish• Early in the Summer of 1970-Early in the Summer of 1970- [Bi-Thilat [Bi-Thilat

Kayitz, 1970]Kayitz, 1970]• Three Days and a Child-Three Days and a Child- [Shlosha Tamim, [Shlosha Tamim,

1975]1975]• A Night in May-A Night in May- (play)(play) [Layla Be-May, 1975][Layla Be-May, 1975]

• The Lover-The Lover- [Garden City, N.Y, 1977][Garden City, N.Y, 1977]

• A Late Divorce-A Late Divorce- [Gerushim Meuharim, 1982][Gerushim Meuharim, 1982]

Literary Works published in Literary Works published in EnglishEnglish• Possessions-Possessions- (play)(play) [Hafatzim, 1986][Hafatzim, 1986]

• Five Seasons-Five Seasons- [Molcho, 1987][Molcho, 1987]

• Israel- Israel- (essay) [London,Collins, 1988](essay) [London,Collins, 1988]

• The Continuing Silence of a Poet-The Continuing Silence of a Poet-(stories) (stories) [London, Peter Halban, 1988][London, Peter Halban, 1988]

• Mr. Mani-Mr. Mani- [Mar Manni, 1990] [Mar Manni, 1990]

Literary Works published in Literary Works published in EnglishEnglish• Open Heart- Open Heart- Ha-Shiv’a Me-Hodu, 1994]Ha-Shiv’a Me-Hodu, 1994]

• Between Right and Right- Between Right and Right- (essays) [Bein Zechut Le-(essays) [Bein Zechut Le-Zechut, 1980]Zechut, 1980]

• Voyage to the End of the Millennium Voyage to the End of the Millennium Masah El Sof Ha-Masah El Sof Ha-elef, 1997]elef, 1997]

• The Terrible Power of a Minor Guilt- The Terrible Power of a Minor Guilt- [Kocha-Ha-Nora [Kocha-Ha-Nora Shel Ashma Ktana, 1998]Shel Ashma Ktana, 1998]

• The Liberating Bride- The Liberating Bride- [Ha-Kala Ha-Meshachreret, 2001][Ha-Kala Ha-Meshachreret, 2001]

A.B. YehoshuaA.B. Yehoshua

Yehoshua’s message is imbedded throughout his Yehoshua’s message is imbedded throughout his literary work. The suffering, the accomplishments, literary work. The suffering, the accomplishments, the failures, but most of all, like the Jewish people, it the failures, but most of all, like the Jewish people, it endures. The examination of the Jewish condition is endures. The examination of the Jewish condition is never forsaken as it is the appreciation of the past never forsaken as it is the appreciation of the past that informs the present and prepares for the future.that informs the present and prepares for the future.