A. B. Yehoshua
A.B. Yehoshua: A Life of Literature and Legacy
=============================================
Full Name and Common Aliases
Abraham B. Yehoshua is commonly known as A.B. Yehoshua, an Israeli writer, novelist, and intellectual.
Birth and Death Dates
A.B. Yehoshua was born on May 9, 1936, in Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel). He passed away on February 23, 2022, at the age of 85.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Yehoshua is an Israeli national and a renowned novelist, essayist, and literary critic. Throughout his career, he has held various academic positions, including Professor of Hebrew Literature at Tel Aviv University.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Jerusalem during the British Mandate period had a profound impact on Yehoshua's worldview. His family was part of the Jewish community, which exposed him to the complexities of Israeli society from an early age. This rich cultural context would later influence his writing, as he sought to explore the intricate relationships between language, identity, and politics.
Major Accomplishments
A.B. Yehoshua's literary career spans over five decades, marked by numerous awards and accolades. Some of his notable achievements include:
Winner of the Israel Prize (1989) for literature
Nominated for the Booker Prize multiple times
Recipient of the Bialik Prize (1993)
Honorary doctorates from several prestigious universities, including Oxford and Tel Aviv University
Notable Works or Actions
Yehoshua's writing is characterized by its thought-provoking exploration of Israeli society, language, and identity. Some of his most notable works include:
"Mr. Mani" (1989), a novel that delves into the complexities of Israeli-Palestinian relations
"The Lover" (1977), a collection of short stories that examine the human condition
"Late Love" (2002), a novel that explores the intricacies of love and relationshipsImpact and Legacy
A.B. Yehoshua's impact on Israeli literature and society is immeasurable. His writing has:
Shaped the national conversation about identity, language, and politics
Inspired generations of writers and thinkers to engage with complex social issues
Established Hebrew as a literary force, both domestically and internationally
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
A.B. Yehoshua's legacy extends far beyond his literary achievements. His thought-provoking essays, novels, and interviews continue to:
Challenge readers to confront the complexities of Israeli society
Offer nuanced perspectives on issues like language, identity, and politics
* Inspire new generations of writers, thinkers, and leaders to engage with the world around them
Quotes by A. B. Yehoshua
We're living with the Arabs; we have to understand them... Through knowing the Arabs, you know yourself better.
Israel is too attached to America, too influenced by America. It should be connected to Europe. America is based on mythology - the free man, the individual, the open frontier. Europe is more conscious of history. Take Britain and Shakespeare. You shape your identity through history.
Let us not forget: The Palestinians in Gaza are our permanent neighbors, and we are theirs.
At the heart of anti-Semitism lies Moses. He made a catastrophic error, a terrible mistake, and all anti-Semitism for two thousand years stems from his misjudgement. Moses said we Jews could remain a people without having a land. He said we don't need territory to hold onto our Jewish identity. This was a disaster.
It's not what the rabbis say that defines Jewishness but what we Israelis do every day - our actions and our values.
The malady of the Jews is that they don't see territory as part of their identity.
In my own view, Hamas's frustration derives from a lack of legitimization by Israel and by much of the world. It is this frustration that leads them to such destructive desperation. That's why we need to grant them status as a legitimate enemy - before we talk about an agreement or, alternatively, about a frontal war.
Jews outside Israel live in permanent contradiction. I think they should come home.
I come from two parts of the oriental community - Jerusalemite and North African Jews.