Customer Reviews

His Daughter (Paladin Books)

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Hard to know where to start. A waste of time? Yes, but only in the horrible, utterly absurd translation. Tthe translater obviously hasn't a clue to the English language. And certainly depressing. I think also, perhaps a parable meant to be read in view of Israel today. Its politics and history. An uneasy coalition of Diaspora Jews and sabras. And so many "N" names; Nira, Nina, Noam, Naomi. And two Miriams. Too many characters. "He pulled the trigger in order to get as close as possible to his daughter."

Kaniuk's His Daughter is a complex novel, that fits elements of traditional storytelling, fantasy, mystery and crime genres into one package. This makes for a layered and difficult novel (although not as difficult as some of his other recent works), with dense sections of dialogue and quickly shifting moods, styles, and levels of narrative intensity.

So, only a careful, patient reader should try this novel. But if such a reader does, the rewards are plentiful. This novel is a deep investigation of the nature of Israeli society, the Zionist vision, the changing nature of a culture and a society under rapid transformation. Only a complex narrative can mirror such a complicated society. Kaniuk leaves no easy answers to the questions his narrative creates. We get mystery and density, and the feeling, even after having read 293 pages, that the last word has not been said.