Alive and Beating by Rebecca Wolf
Book Blurb:
Inspired by a true story, Rebecca Wolf’s debut novel, “Alive and Beating,” follows six people from diverse backgrounds and neighborhoods throughout Jerusalem, all desperately in need of organ transplants, on the day their lives will forever be changed. In a place where ancient divides often seem insurmountable, these six characters—Leah, a Hasidic young woman; Yael, a daughter of Holocaust survivors; Hoda, a Palestinian hairdresser; David, an Iraqi restaurant owner; Severin, a Catholic priest; and Youssef and Yosef, two teenage boys whose fates are inextricably linked—are united despite their differences by a shared goal of becoming healthy and finding meaning in their lives. Wolf’s masterful storytelling is a testament to the belief that life can be renewed, faith can transcend boundaries, and that at our core, we all share a common humanity.
My Review: 4.5 stars
Alive and Beating by Rebecca Wolf is a beautifully inspired story based on her friend, Alisa Flatow, who was murdered by a terrorist bus attack in Israel.
This book is one that connects short stories, (or essays, if you will) about the imagined people that Alisa’s life saved by her gift of organ donation. In Israel, back in the 80s, when this story takes place, Jews and the state of Israel didn’t have a definitive stance on organ donation. Her family from New Jersey insisted that her organs be a gift to others to potentially save people waiting for organs.
Each of the stories is insightful as we learn the circumstances of those waiting for organs. Wolf did a good job of getting us close to the characters yet never gives us the aftermath of what happened to the characters once the organs were gifted. Some had me in tears of joy, while others broke my heart.
This book is not political at all, instead, it’s about the humanity of gifting life, of the changes Israel made to become a leader in organ donations and the selflessness of many. I have discussed this with many book clubs and the conversations have been absolutely riveting.
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