Best seller

My latest novel Day After Night has not been best-seller. Let me be clear that the book is, thanks to word of mouth, selling and selling. But it’s not a block-buster that’s shown up on THE LISTS. At least, not in the USA.

But I’ve had word that the book is at the top of the Israeli fiction best-seller chart. Woo and hoo!

Day After Night is set in 1945 Palestine immediately following the end of World War II. The main characters are immigrants from the European Holocaust who begin to put their lives together in a strange new land.

During my research, I tried to keep from worrying too much about how the novel might be greeted by the Israeli public: after all, I’m an American presuming to write about their local history. But I kept my head down, did the most thorough research I could (using translations and translators)and hoped that the story and the story-telling would carry the day.

So the success of the book in Israel brings relief and gratitude and, yes, pride.

8 Comments

  1. Sue on February 16, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    I just finished reading it last night and thought it was fabulous. My daughter-in-law is in the midst of her copy, as well. We’ll keep the word of mouth going. Thank you for another exquisite book.

  2. Christine on February 17, 2010 at 8:25 am

    I loved the book, and will definitely dial up my word of mouth energy. It’s a unique and important book.

  3. LNSabadosa on March 2, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    I too enjoyed it very much but how about some kudos for the Hebrew translator? While the story is yours, the fact that the translation is clearly top-notch is what propelled the novel to the top of the best seller list. If the translation had been in any way shoddy or had the translator not been a master wordsmith, you can bet it wouldn’t have been as successful.

  4. Anita Diamant on March 3, 2010 at 7:30 am

    Thanks and of course you are 100% correct. I’m going to send your comment to my wonderful translator, Sharona.

  5. eLiZaBeTh on March 4, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    I just finished a book last night & was trying to figure out what to read next. I know now! I mentioned Red Tent on my blog today. I read it while I was pregnant & have read again recently. You are a beautiful writer & I can’t wait to read your new book!

  6. Christine on March 16, 2010 at 7:32 am

    My bookclub is reading Red Tent this coming month. Although I have already read it, I am looking forward to the re-read. I have also suggested this book to the members. A few are going to read it as well.

  7. VMICC Transportation Committee on April 6, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I just finished Day After Night — not two weeks before a trip to Israel where I lived not far from Beit Oren many years ago! — and I found it very moving, especially the afterward describing the photo of four young women from the late 1940s that inspired the work.

    Just as an FYI, my copy was from our county library system, and there were about 75 reserve requests when I returned it, so word is getting out!

    ~Andrea, Vashon Island, WA

  8. Miss on May 30, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    I can’t wait to pick this one up.

    Thanks for being who you are!

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