Hydromania: quotes from Israeli press reviews

November 21, 2008

A selection of excerpts from reviews on the novel Hydromania in the Israeli press,

translated to English:

“Maya is one of the most engaging characters you will have met recently, the kind

of character you immediately want to become friends with… Hydromania can be

catalogued as speculative fiction – a kind of a hybrid genre zigzagging constantly

between a thriller and very accessible and clear science fiction. When all is this is

wrapped in Gavron’s flowing, unforceful writing style, we get one of the most

refreshing, thought provoking and readable novels published recently.” Lilach Volach, Ynet (marks: 4/5)

“This novel is not only wonderful read, it is a lesson in writing prose; such that

doesn’t give up depth for accessibility, but manages to maneuver between the

two, and as such, respects the reader with challenging fiction, that a large part of

it’s power comes from choosing the supposedly “low” genre. It is rare in today’s

Israeli fiction, and actually, always has been: often the choice is between

monumental novels, that wading through them is a mission in itself, and books

that don’t understand the difference between “simple” and “simplistic”.

Hydromania has a political, ideological, even ecological merits – but all of those

pale in comparison with its literary merits.”

Amit Kling, Nana10

“A good novel, like that machine in Star Trek, takes you to a different world. Your

nearby environment, the walls of the room in which you are reading, the social,

personal, economic reality – all of these disappear and you sink into the world of

the book. An excellent novel, again like that Star Trek facility, can also bring you

back to the world with new insights about your life. Hydromania does both of

these things, and therefore it is an excellent novel.”

Avi Garfinkel, Achbar Hair

“Hydromania is not science fiction. It is too close to the reality that is slowly

emerging before our eyes. It can also not be classified under the alternative

reality genre. So perhaps it is a little difficult to classify Hydromania to one genre,

but, despite it’s faults, it is one of the best, most enjoyable and important books I

read in recent years.”

Ariel Schnabel, Makor Rishon

“Hydromania is so intriguing, impressive and very enjoyable that I, for one, was

very sorry to let go of after I read it.”

Kobi Kamin, Israel Hayom

“A book it is difficult to let go of… Especially thanks to Maya, this wonderful

heroine that tries to survive without driving us the readers crazy with her

suffering soul. She is romantic and practical and nostalgic and real, and

everything in good measure. When I finished reading I was sad to say goodbye to

her… Read it in order to fall in love with a different kind of protagonist, and also

because the water you will drink afterwards will be much sweeter.”

Sigal Riva, Channel 2 website

“The deserted world – from both the physical and emotional points of view,

manages to disturb and fill the reader with compassion without stealing the focus

from the thriller’s plot. On the contrary, thirst, lust and yearning are the ideal

background material for characters who are driven by passions that will never be

fulfilled.”

Dana Rothchild, Yediot Achronot

Hydromania constructs a new and futuristic world on the remains of the old,

known one, maybe this is why reading it is so enjoyable and flowing… Gavron

manages to leap above the obstacles and create a novel that is exciting, funny,

curious and moving. The richness of the book, which stands in contrast to its

slimness, is impressive. Hydromania must be defined as a rare achievement.”

Romi Mikolensky, Walla

“Gavron is an excellent story-teller, who makes in Hydromania a perfect division

between the actions in the present and the memories of the past, and fills the

gaps gradually and with measure, in a way that keeps us curious and hungry

throughout the whole story… this unclouded future is fascinating until the end.”

Ran Bin-Nun, Yedioth Achronot

“The crucial test in futuristic and apocalyptic novels like Hydromania is whether

the writer himself believes in the world he has created – if he does, he could

convince his readers to sustain their doubts. Gavron does believe and presents in

satisfying and convincing detail his futuristic dark world… the second test in

these idea-driven novels is if the characters are alive and breathing, or function

only as puppets in the ervice of the apocalyptic vision. Gavron stands this test as

well.”

Arik Gasner, Maariv