Dear Daniella’s subscribers,
I am told it is a sacred tradition for the characters of a Daniella Levy novel to announce the release of their own book. I conducted my own research on the matter and discovered that this has only been done once. “Tradition” is therefore something of an exaggeration in this context. However, I strongly agree with my predecessor that nothing is more dangerous than a crabby author, and therefore I will commence to do as I’m told.
The book that features several of my columns, Disengagement, is as of today available to the public. I must warn you that no matter where you stand on the political or religious spectrum, parts of it will make you uncomfortable, if not downright depressed. As demonstrated by Israel’s latest round of elections two days ago — the third in a single year — Israeli society is just as fractured and dysfunctional as it always has been, and appears not to have learned much from the events recounted fictionally in Disengagement, at least insofar as the dangers of internal polarization and dehumanization of political opponents. If it’s any consolation, that lesson seems to have been missed by the world at large, too. I’m looking at you, United States.
Daniella tells me I should stop pontificating and get to the point. She’s the one who chose me to write this announcement out of no fewer than 16 characters whose viewpoints are represented in Disengagement. If she wanted short and to the point, she should have asked that grouchy Russian lady with the elusive twin sister.
Anyway. As many of you already know, Disengagement can be purchased as a paperback or an eBook wherever books are sold online. Some of the paperback vendors still appear to be suffering from the effects of the distributor’s month-and-date reversal gaffe, but my sources tell me that the book is nonetheless listed as available on most of them. And Amazon, at least, finally got the date right — but now it says the book “usually ships within 1 to 2 months.” That probably means they haven’t received their stock from the distributor yet, but they should soon. Book Depository has free shipping worldwide and claims it can dispatch the book within 11 business days. If there are any bookstore sightings, do let Daniella know!
I hope you enjoy the chapters called “An Exasperated Clarification”, “When Tel Aviv Met Gush Katif”, and “Refugees”, which should be nominated for the Pulitzer at very least. I make no promises about the other chapters.
Yours truly,
Ehud Hazan
P.S. Oh yes — Daniella is planning to have launch events in the foreseeable future, but it will need to wait until after Purim, as she’s had a lot going on in recent weeks. She promises to keep you posted.
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