#7 Favourite Read of 2012

My only previous experience with Keret was the brilliant and beautiful movie Wristcutters: A Love Story based on his novella Kneller's Happy Campers so when this brand new collection of short stories was offered to me by a local bookseller I had no hesitation in buying it.

And I am so glad I did, as it was a revelation, completely unlike anything else I've read. His stories are often strange and slightly fantastical, funny, dark, impressive and affecting. This is a serious work that apparently exhibits all of Keret's usual trademarks in it's study of the human condition.

It was once written about Haruki Murakami that he captures the common ache of the contemporary heart and head and I think the same can be said about this collection from Etgar Keret. He presents a series of poignant moments of isolation, loss, fear and confusion that I couldn't help but identify with and marvel at the skill displayed in creating them.

In a series of amazing experiences the highlight of the collection for me has to be the story Teamwork. It somehow felt more true than reality and at the same time completely heartbreakingly sad.

I have no hesitation in forcing this book in to the hands of everyone I know and hunting out more of his work translated in to English.