Alon Hilu
Encyclopedia
Alon (born Jaffa
, Israel
, June 21, 1972), is an Israeli novelist.
His first novel, Death of a Monk
(Xargol, 2004), is based on a historical blood libel against the Jews in Damascus
, Syria
, and offers an original homosexual interpretation for the historical events. The novel was shortlisted for the prestigious Sapir Prize
in Israel (2005), was awarded the Presidential Prize for literature (Israel, 2006) and has been translated into English
(Harvill Secker, London
), French
(Edition Du Seuil, Paris
), Greek
(Metaichmio, Athens
) and Dutch (Ambo Anthos, Amsterdam).
Hilu's second novel, The House of Rajani (Harvill Secker, Random House UK), a fictional retelling of the history of early Zionism
, was published in Hebrew in February 2008 by Yedioth Sfarim. The novel initially received the 2009 Sapir Prize
, but after claims were made regarding a conflict of interests among the judges (Yossi Sarid
, the head judge of the committee, was related to the novel's editor) the prize was withdrawn and the award cancelled. Israel's president Shimon Peres
called it "an extraordinary book".
Hilu earned a degree in dramatic writing at Tel Aviv University
, studying under Israel’s leading playwrights, such as Yehoshua Sobol
and Shmuel Hasfari
. His plays, "The Wedding" and "The Day of the Dogs" were produced in theatre festivals in Israel, and were both translated into English for the Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club
. From 1987 to 1988, Hilu wrote radio plays for Israeli Radio. During the 90s, two of his short stories were published in Israeli literary magazines: "The Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem" ("Iton 77
", 1992) and "Last Seen" ("Moznaim", 1993). In Addition to his writing career, Hilu also holds a law degree and practices Intellectual Property
law as a legal counsel at an Israeli hi-tech company.
Jaffa
Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, June 21, 1972), is an Israeli novelist.
His first novel, Death of a Monk
Death of a Monk
Death of a Monk is a novel by Alon Hilu, an Israeli writer, published in 2004.The novel is based on the blood libel against the Jews in Damascus, Syria in 1840....
(Xargol, 2004), is based on a historical blood libel against the Jews in Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, and offers an original homosexual interpretation for the historical events. The novel was shortlisted for the prestigious Sapir Prize
Sapir Prize
The Sapir Prize for Literature of Israel is a prestigious annual literary award presented for a work of fine literature. The prize is awarded by Mifal Hapayis , and is a part of the organization's cultural initiatives...
in Israel (2005), was awarded the Presidential Prize for literature (Israel, 2006) and has been translated into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
(Harvill Secker, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
), French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
(Edition Du Seuil, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
), Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
(Metaichmio, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
) and Dutch (Ambo Anthos, Amsterdam).
Hilu's second novel, The House of Rajani (Harvill Secker, Random House UK), a fictional retelling of the history of early Zionism
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
, was published in Hebrew in February 2008 by Yedioth Sfarim. The novel initially received the 2009 Sapir Prize
Sapir Prize
The Sapir Prize for Literature of Israel is a prestigious annual literary award presented for a work of fine literature. The prize is awarded by Mifal Hapayis , and is a part of the organization's cultural initiatives...
, but after claims were made regarding a conflict of interests among the judges (Yossi Sarid
Yossi Sarid
Yossi Sarid is a left-wing Israeli news commentator and former politician. He served as a member of the Knesset for the Alignment, Ratz and Meretz between 1974 and 2006...
, the head judge of the committee, was related to the novel's editor) the prize was withdrawn and the award cancelled. Israel's president Shimon Peres
Shimon Peres
GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years...
called it "an extraordinary book".
Hilu earned a degree in dramatic writing at Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...
, studying under Israel’s leading playwrights, such as Yehoshua Sobol
Yehoshua Sobol
Joshua Sobol, also known as Yehoshua Sobol , is an Israeli playwright, writer, and director at theatres in Israel and abroad.He is married to Edna, set and costume designer...
and Shmuel Hasfari
Shmuel Hasfari
Shmuel Hasfari is an Israeli playwright and screenwriter. He was artistic director of the Cameri Theatre.-Biography:...
. His plays, "The Wedding" and "The Day of the Dogs" were produced in theatre festivals in Israel, and were both translated into English for the Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club
Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club
The Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club, founded in 1908, is an umbrella theater organization at Harvard College with the purpose of assisting all theatrical projects at the college. It is mainly concerned with productions at the Loeb Drama Center, which it shares with the American Repertory Theater...
. From 1987 to 1988, Hilu wrote radio plays for Israeli Radio. During the 90s, two of his short stories were published in Israeli literary magazines: "The Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem" ("Iton 77
Iton 77
Iton 77 is an Israeli monthly of literature and culture. Founded by the poet and editor Yaakov Besser in 1977. Iton 77 is among the oldest literary magazines in Israel and has been published regularly for 30 years, which is almost unprecedented in Israeli publishing. The magazine also owns a small...
", 1992) and "Last Seen" ("Moznaim", 1993). In Addition to his writing career, Hilu also holds a law degree and practices Intellectual Property
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
law as a legal counsel at an Israeli hi-tech company.