The Germans’ Favorite Israeli: On the Reception of Amos Oz

The way Israeli writer Amos Oz (1939-2018) was received in Germany since the 1970s differs significantly from the discourses (and debates) surrounding his literary writing and his public persona in Israel. While criticized “at home” for representing only a certain hegemonial (male, Ashkenazi, leftist) segment of Israeli society, culture and politics, Oz was perceived and embraced as Israel’s literary ambassador in Germany, almost all of his writings are available in German translation.

This paper ventures to investigate the phenomenon of Oz’s sweeping success with his German readership by looking into his presence on the German book market, his relationship with the Suhrkamp publishing house, the German translations of his books, the prices and awards he received at different times as well as his own statements on the difficult relationship with Germany both in writing and during his various visits.

Exemplary comparative close readings in Hebrew, German and English argue that each audience was presented with their very own Amos Oz.