Reflections on Meir Shalev and the Maturation of Writers

Meir Shalev, a prominent voice of the Zionist left, passed away in April 2023 at the age of 74. His absence is keenly felt, particularly in the wake of the October 7th events and the ongoing war, a sentiment echoed for other cherished writers and artists lost in recent years, including A.B. Yehoshua, Moti Kirschenbaum, Yonatan Gefen, and Amos Oz. Many ponder what Shalev would have written or said today about the horrific events, questioning if he would have found a glimmer of hope or succumbed to despair regarding peace.

His literary legacy remains potent, as do his weekly columns in "Yedioth Ahronoth's" weekend supplement, which he penned for over three decades until his death. A documentary about Shalev, titled "This Is How It Was," after one of his 2009 books, recently aired on Kan 11 as part of the series "The Fathers and Mothers, Cultural Heroes of Israel." Shalev emerged as a writer relatively late, in 1988 at nearly 40, with his debut novel "The Russian Novel," set in a fictionalized version of Nahalal, his birthplace. The book was a meteoric success, becoming a bestseller and earning widespread acclaim.

Shalev went on to publish eight more novels, children's books, and non-fiction works, with his books translated into numerous languages. To focus on his writing, he left his role at the first Israeli television channel, where he had been a popular and distinctive TV personality since 1975, hosting interview and game shows, writing scripts, and presenting segments on language and press reviews.

In the documentary, Shalev discusses two unpublished novels from his youth, aged 20-30, which he discarded, feeling they were not right for him. He realized then that he needed to wait for his literary voice to mature. Reflecting on his debut novel's success, he told interviewer Yaron London that his maturation as a writer took longer than for many others, and the story of "The Russian Novel" had been brewing within him for a long time, filling him with immense excitement during its creation.

The film also shows Shalev as a father, with him stating in retrospect that he might not have written his books without the experience of parenthood, suggesting fatherhood played a significant role in his development as a writer. The article then broadens to discuss the maturation process of writers and poets, noting that some, like poet Agi Mishol, who collected and destroyed her first book published at 19, feel uncomfortable with early works. Similarly, Dorit Rabinyan recalled her early success at 21 with "The Almond Alley in Omrigian" as confusing, stating she wasn't yet fully formed and needed a period of silence for maturation.

Leah Goldberg described young women writing poetry as "girls writing songs," not true poets, who attempt to join "the poets' family." However, the article acknowledges the advantages of early writing: passion, freshness, boldness, spontaneity, and a lack of self-censorship that can hinder creativity. Journalist Rogel Alpher recalled his early days when "the pen ran ahead of the thoughts, and the thoughts crystallized during writing."

The piece concludes by referencing Shalev's essay "Grass" from his book "Wild Garden," which describes the garden he cultivated at his home in Alonim Ba'a, in the Jezreel Valley. The essay reflects on nature, the Land of Israel, and the gardener. Shalev lived between Alonim Ba'a and Jerusalem's Katamon neighborhood. "Grass" discusses "the big lawn," a symbol of equality in kibbutzim, showcasing Shalev's unique style and sensual connection to the land. The article quotes Shalev's description of the kibbutz lawns as a deliberate contrast to the local nature, a product of the pioneers' immense effort to create a sense of home and culture amidst harsh conditions. These lawns, he writes, cool the air, reduce dust, provide a place for rest and contemplation, and contribute to an atmosphere of order, cleanliness, and life.