Alive and Beating
By: Rebecca Wolf
Inspired by the true story of her childhood friend, Wolf's moving 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 (one Arab, one Jewish) 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.
Praise
“Rebecca Wolf has woven together a heart-rending medical, cultural, and social tapestry of Israeli society. Each chapter stands alone, and yet each also constitutes a part of a larger whole that assesses how people cope with traumatic health issues in a complex and challenging multicultural society. The book has many victims and a few selfless heroes who weave in and out of the pages. The characters will stay with the reader for a long time.”
—Daniel C. Kurtzer, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Egypt
“Reading Alive and Beating by Rebecca Wolf, the beautiful novel that starts with the very real gift of organs from a woman who died so young and senselessly, I was reminded of all of the emotions I experience every time I receive an organ offer for one of my patients. I anticipate the joy that recipients and their loved ones will experience, but also the tragedy that I know another group of people are facing. Recipients come from every walk of life, but in the end, the organs don't differentiate. They will work for anyone, because we are all the same inside.”
—Dr. Joshua Mezrich, author of When Death Becomes Life: Notes from a Transplant Surgeon
“Stories of terrorism are often told in political terms. But, inevitably, terrorism is personal, with the heartbreak, tragedy, and efforts to repair the damage rippling across families and generations. Rebecca Wolf has taken a real act of terrorism, and, as all great novelists do, imagines how the lives of six people changed. I found Alive and Beating to be a most creative and gripping story on the human cost of terrorism—and how love can always triumph over evil.”
—Mike Kelly, author of The Bus on Jaffa Road: A Story of Middle East Terrorism
“Rebecca Wolf has written an impassioned book, deeply moving and utterly original. Alive and Beating will truly touch your heart.”
—Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.
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“Rebecca Wolf has written a story about the power of hope and good citizenry, illuminating the miraculous renewal of life that can arise from a tragedy. As a Catholic myself, I learned more than I ever knew about the holy land's wondrous intermingling of faiths. And I wept with renewed faith in humanity.”
—Marcia Bradley, author of The Home for Wayward Girls
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"In this heartbreaking, hopeful novel— inspired by the courage of one woman's family—Rebecca Wolf captures the essence of what it means to be selfless in an often-cruel world. Alive and Beating reminds us that at the very core, we are truly one. An unforgettable story that will move you and heal you.”
—Rochelle B. Weinstein, author of This Is Not How It Ends
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“A tragic loss becomes hope for six people whose lives are interconnected, as are the stories shaping this novel. Rebecca Wolf takes you by the hand on a walk through Jerusalem's corners, alleys, secrets, and hearts in a tale of faith and tolerance so crucial in today's world.”
—Ines Rodrigues, author of Days of Bossa Nova
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