The book by Ukrainian writer Serhiy Zhadan “הפנימייה” (Boarding School) was published by the Israeli publishing house “פועלים” in Hebrew: Israeli review of the Ukrainian novel

The Israeli publishing house “פועלים” has published in Hebrew the book by Ukrainian writer Serhiy Zhadan «הפנימייה» (Internat). The review of the work reveals the impact of war on human lives and society as a whole.

Review by the Israeli publishing house פועלים on the novel by Serhiy Zhadan «הפנימייה» (Internat)

The Israeli publishing house פועלים recently presented the novel by Ukrainian writer Serhiy Zhadan titled «הפנימייה» (Internat). This work immerses the reader in the atmosphere of the destroyed Donbas, against the backdrop of war and the desperate attempts of people to maintain their humanity.

Plot and Main Themes

The plot of the novel «הפנימייה» (Internat) takes place in 2015 in eastern Ukraine, in Donbas. The main character, Pasha, a thirty-five-year-old Ukrainian language teacher, decides to go to the city, most likely Debaltseve (the prototype of the setting), to pick up his 13-year-old nephew who lives in an orphanage. However, the timing of the journey is not ideal: the Ukrainian army is leaving the city, which is surrounded by Russian troops, and the city is consumed by chaos and destruction.

This context of war, which engulfs the eastern regions of Ukraine, creates an atmosphere of threat that permeates the entire novel, writes the reviewer.

“Pasha’s journey becomes not only a physical test but also an internal search — a search for saving the child and restoring the connections destroyed by the war.

In the book, Zhadan metaphorically portrays the orphanage as a symbol of the disorientation and rootlessness of a society facing internal conflict.”

The Image of the Orphanage as a Metaphor

The review highlights that the word “orphanage” in the novel is used as a metaphor for the societal disorientation that has engulfed Ukraine during the war. It is not just a physical place for children, but also “a symbol of how a country, uncertain about its future, experiences a sense of loss and failure.”

Zhadan reflects this feeling through the characters who are searching for their way in a destroyed and disorderly life.”

Recognition and Awards

The novel «הפנימייה» (Internat) has gained recognition in the Ukrainian market and was named the best book at the 24th Forum of Publishers in the category of “Contemporary Ukrainian Prose” in 2017. This fact confirms the high quality of the work and its significance for understanding the Ukrainian reality and cultural processes occurring in the country.

Translation and Style

The Hebrew translation, done by Dina Markon, preserves the stylistic rigor and atmosphere of the original, conveying not only the external picture of events but also the deep internal experiences of the characters. The review notes that Zhadan uses a concise and honest writing style, avoiding decorative elements and focusing on the most important aspects of human emotions and relationships.

Critics’ Reviews

Israeli critics have highly praised the book, emphasizing that the novel «הפנימייה» (Internat) is full not only of tragedy but also of moments of hope, warmth, and human kindness. Sivan Baskin, a reviewer for Yedioth Ahronoth, wrote:

“A masterpiece of a novel that offers hope, moments of kindness, and humanism.”

A quote from the book confirms how Zhadan masterfully works with feelings and emotions:

“I knew he would come to take me,” reflects the nephew, who was finally taken by Pasha.
“He always worries about me, and I worry about him too.”

These words perfectly capture the essence of the book — how people, despite all the horrific circumstances, remain connected to each other despite the destruction and death.

Interesting Israeli review of the book – on the makorrishon website (Hebrew).

Details about the book

Title of the book: הפנימייה (Internat)
Author: Serhiy Zhadan
Translator: Dina Markon
Publisher: קיבוץ מאוחד (in collaboration with ספרית פועלים)
Number of pages: 320
Price: 59 ₪ (printed edition) | 28 ₪ (digital edition)

The book (Hebrew) can be purchased in paper or digital version at the publisher’s page by link.

The Influence of the Book on the Israeli Audience

The novel «הפנימייה» (Internat) is of great significance to Israelis, especially those with Ukrainian roots or those interested in the events taking place in Ukraine. The book helps to better understand the experiences of people caught in the center of the conflict and reveals important aspects of human solidarity, dignity, and the struggle for survival in the face of destruction.

How the Israeli Review Describes It

The Israeli publisher describes the novel «הפנימייה» (Internat) as a work that “is devoid of unnecessary adornments and false hopes.” In it, Zhadan “does not try to avoid reality and presents what is happening as honestly and realistically as possible”:

“The triangle of Pasha’s journey through the destroyed country reflects the chaos and widespread destruction that characterized the civil war in Ukraine. Perhaps these events were inspired by the writer’s personal experience of living through the war in his home region, Luhansk.”

The review also highlights how important the depiction of a bilingual reality is in the novel: in the eastern regions of Ukraine, such as Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kharkiv, most people speak Russian, which becomes part of the social and cultural identity of the region. Zhadan accurately reflects these realities, demonstrating how the conflict between the Ukrainian and Russian languages affects personal relationships and perceptions of the world.

“This is not easy reading, which offers no escape. It captures the reader with its high-quality, objective, and no-frills style, which, in its truthfulness and authenticity, keeps you hooked until the last page.”

Conclusion

The review notes that Israeli publisher פועלים made an important step by releasing Serhiy Zhadan’s work in Hebrew. «הפנימייה» (Internat) is not just a work about war, but an important cultural message that helps to better understand the experiences of people in the most difficult circumstances. This novel continues to resonate with readers on both sides of the conflict and contributes to cultural exchange between Ukraine and Israel.

For more information and news about cultural events concerning Ukraine and Israel, visit the website NAnews – news from Israel.

The book (Hebrew) can be purchased in paper or digital version at the publisher’s page by link.