Yoav Blum Discusses New Novel, Existential Doubts Post-October 7
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Israeli author Yoav Blum has released his new novel, "The Author," which explores existential themes and the meaning of creation, heavily influenced by the events of October 7, 2023. Blum describes the writing process as therapeutic and acknowledges the novel's dark tone, with a plot featuring a disillusioned author and apocalypse survivors. He reflects on his complex relationship with writing, the challenges of self-promotion despite significant commercial success, and the impact of current events on his perspective.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yoav Blum's new novel, "The Author," delves into existential themes and the meaning of creation, influenced by the events of October 7.
- The book's plot follows a disillusioned author, Michael Koren, and a group of apocalypse survivors in a nuclear shelter.
- Blum describes the writing process as a form of personal processing and acknowledges the novel's dark and melancholic tone.
- He reflects on the challenges of being a successful author, including self-promotion and the perceived relevance of literature.
- The events of October 7 intensified Blum's introspection about his work and the role of literature in a chaotic world.
- Despite massive sales and international recognition, Blum struggles with self-promotion and remains outside traditional literary circles.
Author Yoav Blum has released his sixth adult novel, "The Author," published by Keter Books. The book, which grapples with themes of existential doubt and the meaning of creation in a chaotic world, was significantly influenced by the events of October 7, 2023. Blum describes the writing process as a form of personal processing, acknowledging that readers might perceive his struggles. He notes that the novel's dark and melancholic tone reflects the difficult period.
The plot centers on Michael Koren, a successful author who reluctantly travels abroad for an award ceremony, feeling disillusioned with literature and creation. In a parallel storyline, a group of apocalypse survivors barricade themselves in a nuclear shelter, fighting for survival. Blum admits that the character of Michael Koren is an exaggerated version of himself, and that many of the stories within the book are sketches of future ideas he has now released to clear his creative slate.
Blum, known for his speculative fiction and massive bestseller status in Israel, expresses a complex relationship with his profession. He has previously spoken about the painful nature of writing and the disillusionment that comes with realizing a book is also a product requiring marketing. The events of October 7 intensified this introspection, leading him to question the relevance of literature when a single arms dealer can wield more influence than a thousand writers.
Despite his commercial success, with two books selling over 60,000 copies and international recognition, Blum remains outside the typical literary circles, struggling with self-promotion. He prefers meaningful reader interactions over public events and acknowledges a constant tension between his role as a creator and a product manufacturer. He states that the events of October 7 dismantled this tension, forcing a reckoning with his own pride and the perceived importance of his work.
Blum, who previously worked as a programmer, is one of the few Israeli authors who can dedicate themselves to writing full-time. His debut novel, "The Case of the Missing Case," published in 2011, was an instant hit, selling over 60,000 copies and translated into 13 languages. He notes the dramatic shift in the Israeli book market, where bestseller lists now require significantly fewer sales than in 2011, attributing this to shorter attention spans and the rise of other media formats like streaming series and TikTok.