"Each story in David Ehrlich’s short story collection Who Will Die Last: Stories of Life in Israel features characters that offer different perspectives on life in Israel as they explore such issues as truth, love, identity, loneliness, and sense of purpose. . . . While reading these stories a range of emotions will be experienced from sadness to humor. The collection editor, Ken Frieden said it best in the preface, '[Israel] is an enigmatic country that is as magical as it is haunted by harsh realities,' which is reflected in these short stories."—Jewish Book Council Reviews
"David Ehrlich’s short-story collection is rooted in the culture and places of Israel. Each story is told in a quiet yet resonant and gently amusing voice, infused with themes of both isolation and camaraderie. The diverse characters and unique conflicts afforded by the setting make for a fascinating glimpse into the human soul."—World Literature Today
"Manages to capture the joys, pains and absurdities of life in the Promised Land."—The Reporter Group
Description
Hilarious and sad at the same time, Ehrlich’s collection of short stories, Who Will Die Last is an original and moving work of fiction. Ever deeply humane, the author takes his characters on a tantalizing journey through their souls. His understated style transforms even a heartbreaking plot into an uplifting and funny story. Israel’s special history, landscapes, and conflicts add to the drama and passion of the book. Ehrlich’s themes relate to gay life in Israel, the pull of loneliness, and the power of community. Rather than a single translator, this collection employs a variety of translators, reflecting in many ways the luminous diversity of voices in the stories.
About the Author
David Ehrlich is the author of two short story collections in Hebrew, 18 Blue and Tuesday and Thursday Mornings. His bookstore Tmol Shilshom is a haven for avant-garde artists and writers, the site of numerous readings by eminent authors, and inspired books such as Nathan Englander’s For the Relief of Unbearable Urges.
