House Arrest - by Noa Yedlin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This prize-winning satirical novel chronicles a scandal that envelops a prominent Jerusalem family and leads to its downfall. Told largely through the eyes of one of her three children, the story begins when Elisheva Fogel, depicted as a well-known figure among Israel's peace activists of the early 2000s, is accused of embezzling millions from the think tank she directs. Family members try to close ranks, but old and new grievances surface, and their reactions are driven by conflicting loyalties, suspicion, as well as fear of losing their own financial and social capital. The allegation and its repercussions expose not only cracks in the family, but the hypocrisies of Israel's secular Ashkenazi elite, along with its moral and political decline. This novel has author Noa Yedlin's hallmark traits: richly detailed scenes and settings, biting humor, razor-sharp social critique, all propelled by an immersive story. Co-published by New Vessel Press and Altneuland Press.

Reading group guide to House Arrest is available for download free of charge at newvesselpress.com.

Review Quotes

"A lucid, clear, and distinct voice, intellectual as well as hot-blooded. Yedlin has the gift of a natural storyteller, and her contemporaries in Hebrew literature will have to work very hard to reach the bar she has set."--Dorit Rabinyan, author of All the Rivers

"One family becomes a mirror to an entire social class in Israel . . . One should run, run to buy this book."--Haaretz

About the Author

Noa Yedlin is a bestselling Israeli author acclaimed for her dark and subtle humor. The recipient of the Sapir Prize and the Prime Minister's Prize for Hebrew Literary Works, she has created an award-winning television series based on her novel Stockholm.

Shira Atik studied Hebrew literature at Barnard College and New York University and has translated works by Savyon Liebrecht, Gadi Taub, and Ofra Offer Oren.

Evan Fallenberg has translated works by Meir Shalev, Batya Gur, and Hanoch Levin. He is the author of three novels and teaches creative writing at Bar-Ilan University .