Native

In this autobiographical novel, acclaimed Israeli-Arab writer Sayed Kashua chronicles his decision to leave Jerusalem with his family in 2014. The narrative follows his relocation to the American Midwest, where he accepts a teaching position while attempting to build a new life. Kashua's account moves between past and present, examining his experiences as a Palestinian citizen of Israel and his evolving relationship with both societies. His observations span domestic life, professional obligations, and the broader political climate that influenced his choice to emigrate. The story captures the complexities of raising children between cultures and maintaining creative work amid displacement. Through newspaper columns, personal reflections, and everyday encounters, Kashua documents his family's navigation of their new American context. The book offers a layered meditation on belonging, identity, and the meaning of home in an era of heightened global mobility. Through his characteristically precise prose, Kashua explores the tensions between assimilation and cultural preservation.

Readers describe the book as a raw, honest account of cultural identity and displacement. The dry humor and self-deprecating tone resonated with many who have experienced immigration or cultural alienation. Liked: - Personal insights into Israeli-Palestinian dynamics from a unique perspective - Blend of humor and melancholy - Clear, unadorned writing style - Authentic portrayal of feeling caught between cultures Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow and repetitive - Story structure felt disjointed to certain readers - A few noted the ending left too many threads unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (241 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (32 ratings) "Kashua captures the small daily indignities of being an outsider perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer "The humor makes the heavier themes digestible" - Amazon reviewer "Started strong but lost momentum" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 Sayed Kashua wrote this autobiographical novel in Hebrew, despite being a Palestinian Arab, reflecting the complex cultural duality he experiences in Israeli society. 🔹 The author actually left Israel for the United States in 2014, mirroring themes of displacement and identity explored in "Native," and now teaches at the University of Illinois. 🔹 The book's original Hebrew title "גוף שני יחיד" translates to "Second Person Singular," emphasizing the narrative's unique second-person perspective. 🔹 Kashua is also known for creating "Arab Labor," a groundbreaking Israeli TV series that was the first to feature Palestinian characters speaking Arabic in prime time. 🔹 The novel draws from Kashua's real experiences as a journalist for the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz, where he wrote a weekly column about life as an Arab in Israel.