I really connect with David Grossman's work, both fiction and non-fiction-- Yellow Wind was groundbreaking and is still relevant in its treatment of the Israeli Palestinian situation. "Someone" is an adventure story, one that would be a wonderful book for a young adult. I loved it. Elements of fantasy and Dickensian characterizations keep things moving on several planes. At its heart is a coming-of-age story (from two protagonists, one male, one female) that, I believe, would be deeply resonant

I didn’t love this book the way I thought I would, especially since David Grossman is such a well known writer and this book is so highly rated. A tale of love and coming of age set against the dark underbelly of Israel’s streets, and fairly devoid of commentary on the Israel-Palestine conflict, this is not a story that will stick with you. Perhaps because, when a book explicitly states that it is set in a city, I expect the city to be a character in the story, even if it’s not the main one. Alt...

Sweet story about the power of connections between people. I read it in English and the translation is well written and flows smoothly. Many interesting characters vivaciously portrayed although on occasion a bit cartoonish.

It is very rare for me to recommend books that I can read in my original language and also recommend here (because these books have translated into English). The truth is that it is unfortunate that Hebrew books rarely translated into English. The variety of Hebrew works is impressive, and the perspective of writers from such different cultures gathered in one small place may be of interest to readers who are not familiar with this mixed culture but only in what heard on the news, Yet, I'm not i...

Couldn't really get into it. Maybe I'm missing something?We read this in book club and everyone at the meeting gave it one out of two thumbs. We all felt like it took a long time to get to any understanding & we didn't really care for either Assaf or Tamar. (I hate saying this, but I think the movie told the story better.)

Loved this book. Could hardly put it down. David Grossman is an extraordinary writer. Will review this at length shortly. Just wanted to record its powerful impact.Here's the review I wrote for the Washtenaw Jewish News.David Grossman is often called “Israel’s muse.” His most recent book, the 2008 To the End of the Land, received glowing reviews. The literal translation of the Hebrew title, “Isha Borachat Mib’sora,” is: “A Woman Flees from a Message.” Ora, the woman of the title, walks the Israe...

I read this a while ago, and so I don't remember too much - but all I can say is this is one of my all time favorite books. It doesn't matter how much time passes before I read it again, It was so beautifully written with the way their stories intertwined, and their personal messages - and the way Grossman described her singing - I can't even begin to describe the reasons you should read this book. Beautiful. Amazing.

Great coming of age novel about two teens growing up in the underbelly of Jerusalem.

Assaf knew: when he stood like that, he was wearing the expression that once made Reli, his sister, say, "You got lucky with one thing, Assafi- with a face like that, you can only surprise people for the better." (Do you ever wish someone would say something like that to you? Or even better to have that face.)I made a sacrifice. I had to make a sacrifice. A quick decision to save myself on Saturday now (it was last week) and lose the perfect reading day from the spring of 2006 (I'm playing coo

It was utterly enjoyable read. It gave me back the scents and sounds of my childhood’s never-ending summers and the feeling of being totally immersed in a book.I will try to write down some of the reasons why this book is highly recommended:David Grossman is a wonderful storyteller in a classical, precise and deep way of telling things.It is adventure, coming-of-age, love story and a story about modern Israel. It is thrilling, fast-paced (after the first fifty pages) and emotional read.The chara...

This was a mixed bag to me. On the one hand, the stubborn boy Assaf's long search for the girl Tamar, and the equally resolute mission of that Tamar to save her brother from the clutches of a Mafia gang, are interesting and well told. Grossman knows how to gradually build up the tension and maintain it well, and from time to time you do sit on the edge of your seat. Some characters really captivate, such as the Greek nun Theodora, the singing talent of Tamar that elicits ecstasy, and the faithfu...

Holy crap I love this book. Set in Jerusalem Israel in the late '90s [ish] Assaf is home alone for a while while his parents visit his sister in America. He gets hooked into the mystery of the story when he meets a stray yellow Labrador retriever. At the same time, on the other side of the city, Tamar is singing for her life on the streets of Jerusalem, trying to rescue her drug addicted friend from the seedy and seething underworld of Jerusalem. I have re-read this book multiple times. It somet...

When I was living in Buenos Aires years ago I used to spend a lot of time in all the bookstores that you can find throughout Cabildo Avenue. I was totally fascinated by them because you wouldn’t find so many interesting and rare books back in my country (I was born and raised in Paraguay). I started in the world of literature reading all the books that I found in my father’s bookshelves. Some books were gold for a young boy, but must of them were cheap books, ancient books or merely bad literatu...

I loved this book. Such an interesting premise. Far fetched, did someone say? I don't care. The main character is wonderful, and the Jerusalem scenes of the lives of street kids are gripping. Beautifully written. David Grossman, well known and regarded in Israel, wasn't familiar to me. He doesn't seem to be well known in the USA. Take a chance on this one! (I actually read this one twice -- once a year or two ago on the recommendation of my son, and now again as it was accepted as the subject of...

Beautiful writing, fascinating characters, fast paced and thrilling. This book was a different read for me, in some ways too real -an unlikely runway girl living on the streets- hard to read for a mother of daughters- in other ways magical realism and major coincidences abound...you just have to go with it, let the story unfold, meet the characters, learn their stories and follow their journeys. Very rewarding read!

I admit it. I get too restless to read sometimes. And the only thing that will calm me down is the right book. But that can be woefully hard to find. It's like a sleepless night. I toss and turn, trying to settle down with this and that book, trying not to let my impatience get the better of me, eventually giving up 20 or 30 pages into whatever is currently failing to catch my attention. I realize it isn't the fault of these books. It's just that when I'm in this state, not much will do it for m...

Average book. Brilliant movie though.

In his usual way, David Grossman weaves a marvelous tale of the lives of seemingly ordinary people and the extraordinary events that happen to them--or that they make happen. In this wonderfully crafted novel, it's a teenage boy--the shy Assaf, somewhat of a loner who doesn't think much of his accomplishments as an amateur photographer, but who is also a devoted employee in his summer job as a municipality employee. So much so, that when he is assigned the task of finding the owner of a lost dog...

beautiful and interesting story o two kids in jerusalem, one is middle class, the other street kid. love ensues, with a dog as foil. one of grossman''s most accessible and hopeful books.