What Makes an Apple?: Six Conversations about Writing, Love, Guilt, and Other Pleasures

Amos Oz, an acclaimed Israeli novelist, had candid conversations with Shira Hadad, his editor, in the last years of his life. These conversations reveal a side of Oz that few ever saw. "What Makes an Apple?" presents these conversations in English for the first time, painting an intimate portrait of Oz's artistic and personal evolution.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In the final years of his life, the renowned Israeli novelist Amos Oz engaged in frequent and candid conversations with Shira Hadad, who served as his editor for his final novel, Judas. These revealing dialogues offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Oz's mind and personality. What Makes an Apple? presents the English translation of these conversations for the first time, providing a captivating and intimate portrait of a literary giant.

In their frank and open exchanges, Oz delves into the motivations behind his storytelling, shares his writing routines, and discusses the challenges he faces as a writer. He explores the seismic shifts in relationships between men and women throughout his lifetime and how his own erotic coming-of-age shaped his perspective as both a man and an author.

Oz reflects on his parents, his upbringing on a kibbutz, and his interactions with critics, students, and fame. He discusses the presence of humor in his later works and offers his unique take on the fear of death.

Amos Oz's clear, honest, and humorous voice resonates throughout What Makes an Apple?, offering unique insights into his artistic and personal evolution. This book encourages readers to approach Oz's work in fresh and innovative ways, making it a valuable addition to his literary legacy.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 148 x 222 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691219905