Overview

Yael Dayan, novelist daughter of the legendary Moshe Dayan and a public figure with a long and illustrious political career behind her, looks back at her life, scrutinizing it without illusions. Once a desirable, free-spirited young woman and a successful author, she lived with the sense that she held the world in the palm of her hand. And the world adulated both her and the young state she came from. She was an officer in the Israel Defense Force, the daughter of a renowned general, a successful writer—Death Had Two Sons, A Soldier’s Diary: Sinai 1967—much in demand on the lecture tour, and a star of the gossip columns. Now in her 70s, she admits with touching honesty to missing both the vibrant 20-something she was, and the sober woman she became—a fierce political activist and parliamentarian for the left, a fighter for justice, women’s rights and peace. Having resigned her last public position, she must reconcile herself to being a mentor, a participant instead of a leader, yet remaining centre-stage on the Peace Camp scene. The narrator’s warm, intimate voice and her rich intellect, as well as her insights, make for a powerful reading experience.

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9781771612074

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Reviews

The sad chapters are heartbreaking without being sentimental, the death of [her] brother Assi is shattering, as are the complex feelings toward [her] father [Moshe Dayan]. And yet, sickness and death, pain and old age do not make this a depressing book - they are overcome by love and an unquenchable thirst for life love of children and grandchildren, of books and poetry, pursuing a rational and moral political line. I admired what the book lacks -bitterness and resentment [for] it is written throughout in a spirit that is bold, courageous and lucid.Amos OzA brave book by a brave woman. It describes, with honesty, with crystal accuracy and talent, a life experience that is both exhilarating and painful.Etgar KeretIn a precise, rich and candid language, Yael Dayan wanders through her dramatic life with captivating courage and honesty.Abraham B. YehoshuaHere we find that rare miracle, when a life becomes literature, and in this case it is great literature.Giddon Ticotsky, Haaretz, 12.11.14Yael Dayan s lovely memoir looks death in the eye with impressive honesty What makes it interesting is that Dayan is not reconciled to her status as a pensioner She describes the process of dying with impressive, and sometimes stirring, honesty Her beautiful, poetic monologue expresses the heart-felt groans of old-time Israelis.Ofri Ilany, Yedioth Ahronoth, 19.12.14Dayan s new book glides around and through this national ethos [of the Dayan family, and what stands for] and its iconic symbols: Moshe Dayan, the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973), the peace treaty with Egypt (1979) and the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin (1995) Dayan shifts between internalizing the ethos and critiquing it, between admirable sincerity and feigned innocenceChen Shtrass, Haaretz, 6.11.14She touches on things without embellishing, and also without trepidation Transitions gives us the sober observation of her own life by someone who has reached the fullness of years and also on Israeli society and the changes it has undergone since its inception. And within all of this, there is much beauty.Author Ilan Sheinfeld, Wordpress, 18.10.14Yael Dayan has not lost one gram of her courage and determination. I read her lovely book in a storm of emotion. Sadness, regret and compassion swirled and switched among the lines.Dina Haluts, La Isha, 17.11.14Yael Dayan tells her story frankly Despite the difficulties, the disappointments, there is a fine thread of optimism in the book.Ora Armoni, Kol Israel 1, 29.1.15Yael Dayan has not written a happy book Yet the light of love, pleasant memories, and heightened spirituality shine through the loopholes.Naama Lanski, Israel Hayom, 17.9.14Written with honesty and wisdom by an intriguing, talented writer. Transitions observes past generations, the writer s own and the one that follows, with sadness and reconciliation.Author Orly Castel BloomYael s memoir is candid and uncompromisingly sincere. She avoids landmines and self-glorification This is a courageous and heart-gripping journey, undertaken by a great and noble soul across the expanse of her life -her achievements, her failures, her loves and losses -and into her inner self.Author Judith KatzirYael Dayan casts her piercing and amazingly courageous eyes over her life, past and present. Her reflection holds no nostalgia and her own story intersects with other lives and with the story of Israel. Everything is portrayed in penetrating, precise language a unique voice, evocatively beautiful.Author & dramatist Savyon LiebrechtDelicate and tender Yael Dayan, the courageous warrior, is saying farewell. Her book is captivating, the words are gentle and enveloping Unexpected, and so very enjoyable. Recommended.Maya Raanan, Saloona, 5.12.14An act of real courage and principled integrity.Orian Morris, Mida, 26.12.14

The sad chapters are heartbreaking without being sentimental, the death of [her] brother Assi is shattering, as are the complex feelings toward [her] father [Moshe Dayan]. And yet, sickness and death, pain and old age do not make this a depressing book - they are overcome by love and an unquenchable thirst for life love of children and grandchildren, of books and poetry, pursuing a rational and moral political line. I admired what the book lacks -bitterness and resentment [for] it is written throughout in a spirit that is bold, courageous and lucid. Amos Oz A brave book by a brave woman. It describes, with honesty, with crystal accuracy and talent, a life experience that is both exhilarating and painful. Etgar Keret In a precise, rich and candid language, Yael Dayan wanders through her dramatic life with captivating courage and honesty. Abraham B. Yehoshua Here we find that rare miracle, when a life becomes literature, and in this case it is great literature. Giddon Ticotsky, Haaretz, 12.11.14 Yael Dayan s lovely memoir looks death in the eye with impressive honesty What makes it interesting is that Dayan is not reconciled to her status as a pensioner She describes the process of dying with impressive, and sometimes stirring, honesty Her beautiful, poetic monologue expresses the heart-felt groans of old-time Israelis. Ofri Ilany, Yedioth Ahronoth, 19.12.14 Dayan s new book glides around and through this national ethos [of the Dayan family, and what stands for] and its iconic symbols: Moshe Dayan, the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973), the peace treaty with Egypt (1979) and the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin (1995) Dayan shifts between internalizing the ethos and critiquing it, between admirable sincerity and feigned innocence Chen Shtrass, Haaretz, 6.11.14 She touches on things without embellishing, and also without trepidation Transitions gives us the sober observation of her own life by someone who has reached the fullness of years and also on Israeli society and the changes it has undergone since its inception. And within all of this, there is much beauty. Author Ilan Sheinfeld, Wordpress, 18.10.14 Yael Dayan has not lost one gram of her courage and determination. I read her lovely book in a storm of emotion. Sadness, regret and compassion swirled and switched among the lines. Dina Haluts, La Isha, 17.11.14 Yael Dayan tells her story frankly Despite the difficulties, the disappointments, there is a fine thread of optimism in the book. Ora Armoni, Kol Israel 1, 29.1.15 Yael Dayan has not written a happy book Yet the light of love, pleasant memories, and heightened spirituality shine through the loopholes. Naama Lanski, Israel Hayom, 17.9.14 Written with honesty and wisdom by an intriguing, talented writer. Transitions observes past generations, the writer s own and the one that follows, with sadness and reconciliation. Author Orly Castel Bloom Yael s memoir is candid and uncompromisingly sincere. She avoids landmines and self-glorification This is a courageous and heart-gripping journey, undertaken by a great and noble soul across the expanse of her life -her achievements, her failures, her loves and losses -and into her inner self. Author Judith Katzir Yael Dayan casts her piercing and amazingly courageous eyes over her life, past and present. Her reflection holds no nostalgia and her own story intersects with other lives and with the story of Israel. Everything is portrayed in penetrating, precise language a unique voice, evocatively beautiful. Author & dramatist Savyon Liebrecht Delicate and tender Yael Dayan, the courageous warrior, is saying farewell. Her book is captivating, the words are gentle and enveloping Unexpected, and so very enjoyable. Recommended. Maya Raanan, Saloona, 5.12.14 An act of real courage and principled integrity. Orian Morris, Mida, 26.12.14

Author Information

Yael Dayan served as a member of the Israeli Knesset between 1992 and 2003, and from 2008 to 2013 was the chair of Tel Aviv city council. She was an officer in the Israel Defense Force and made a name for herself as an author and newspaper columnist, writing columns for Yedioth Ahronoth, Ma'ariv, Al HaMishmar and Davar.She has published five novels as well as a memoir of the Six-Day War called Israel Journal: June 1967 and a biography of her father called My Father.

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