Lovers and Strangers: Two Novellas

by David Grossman (Author), David Grossman (Author), Jessica Cohen (Translator)

• Used

  Paperback
  2006

  $3.41

  These two novellas concern love. In 'Frenzy', Shaul is convinced that his wife is having an affair. He feverishly imagines her, in every painful detail, with her lover. Esther has never seen the human side of her aloof brother-in-law, but during a night-time journey Shaul unburdens himself, recreating an affair he has never witnessed. Is he mad? Or has he divined the truth? In 'Her Body Knows', Rotem has spent most of her life being angry with her mother, Nilli. Now Nilli is dying and Rotem, who has finally found happiness in London, must return to say goodbye. She arrives with a story about Nilli, full of accusations, empathy, love and forgiveness.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2005

  $3.41

  Here are two accounts of love - of men and women, mothers and daughters, strangers who for a brief moment become intimate. Souls are bared, secrets are revealed and stories are told. In Frenzy, a man and a woman are driving through the night. Shaul is convinced his wife is having an affair. He feverishly imagines her with her lover: their talk, their lovemaking, every painful detail. Esther has never seen the human side of her brilliant and aloof brother-in-law. But tonight in the car, Shaul unburdens himself to her, recreating an affair he has never witnessed. Is he mad? Or has he divined the truth? Esther does not know but his wild and rich imaginings awaken in her, a distant memory of true love. In Another life is about a different - more redemptive - act of imagination. Rotem, a writer, has spent most of her life being angry at her mother - Nilli, the beautiful yoga teacher with her lovers and misadventures - who is so different from her awkward, unhappy daughter. But now Nilli is dying and Rotem, who has finally found happiness in London, must return to say goodbye. She arrives with a double-edged gift: a story about Nilli, full of accusations, empathy, love and forgiveness. David Grossman turns men and women inside out, writing about their innermost thoughts with immense depth and power. Tender, profound and erotic, these are extraordinary stories.