Questions About Returning

by Yael Shahar (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (2)

Are these books the same: "A damaged mirror" and "Returning"?

Yael Shahar Yes and no.

A Damaged Mirror was an initial version of the book, but was organized differently and wasn't as complete. A book publicist who was contra…moreYes and no.

A Damaged Mirror was an initial version of the book, but was organized differently and wasn't as complete. A book publicist who was contracted by the publisher advised us to change the title and add several chapters, based on reader feedback. Thus, Returning is longer, differently organized, and has a new Afterword by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo.(less)

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I'm confused: Why are reviewers calling this a memoir? The author is a woman; Alex is a man. Shahar also appears to be far too young to have been alive in the period covered by the book. Is "memoir" used here because "Returning/Damaged Mirror" is written in the form of an autobiography?

Yael Shahar It's actually a good question, and is related to the question of how to categorize the book (see the author interview at the back of the book for more…moreIt's actually a good question, and is related to the question of how to categorize the book (see the author interview at the back of the book for more on that dilemma!)

The book is both memoir and autobiography. I wrote my own autobiographical parts in third person, and Alex's parts in first person, simply because the "Alex" sections were all from his own journal, and I wanted to preserve the immediacy and power of his words.

But of course, it's not quite so simple, as the reader learns about half-way through the book; memory of this kind can take on a life of its own. Traumatic memory is subject to strange twists, and often has a dreamlike quality. When traumatic memory is "passed on" in the way described in this book, this becomes even more pronounced. This elusive quality of memory is itself a "character" in the narrative, further blurring the line between memoir and autobiography.

I hope this brief answer helps! (less)

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