Yoel Hoffmann

Yoel Hoffmann (b. 1937, Hungary) was born to a Jewish-Austrian family who came to pre-state Israel when Hoffman was a year old. His mother`s early death and the years spent boarding with family members and in a children`s home until his father`s remarriage figure prominently in his work. A professor of Japanese poetry, Buddhism and philosophy at Haifa University, Hoffman earned his doctorate in Japan. He also spent two years in a Buddhist monastery, and has translated Japanese poetry. Hoffman received the Bialik Prize (2002) and the Prime Minister`s Prize (2007).

Books Published in Hebrew

The Book of Joseph (stories), Keter/Massada, 1988 [Sefer Yossef]

It`s a Good Idea to Buy Elephants in February (children),Massada, 1988 [Be-Februar Kedai Liknot Pilim]

Bernhard (novel), Keter, 1989 [Bernhard]

The Christ of Fish (novel), Keter, 1991 [Kristus Shel Ha-Dagim]

Guttapercha, Keter, 1993 [Gutapersha]

How Do You Do, Dolores?, Keter, 1995 [Ma Shlomech Dolores?]

The Heart is Katmandu (novel), Keter, 2000 [Ha-Lev Hu Katmandu]

Ephraim (novel), Keter, 2003 [Ephraim]

Curriculum Vitae (novel), Keter, 2007 [Curriculum Vitae]

Moods (novel), Keter, 2010 [Matzavei Roach]

Books in Translation

Bernhard
English: New York, New Directions, 1998; in paperback: 2006
German: Reinbek, Rowohlt, 1991
French: Paris, Galaade, 2008

Katschen - The Book of Joseph
English: New York, New Directions, 1998
German: Reinbek, Rowohlt, 1993

The Christ of Fish
English: New York, New Directions, 1999; in paperback: 2006
Italian: Milan, Feltrinelli, 1993
German: Hamburg, Rowohlt, 1997

The Heart is Katmandu
English: New York, New Directions, 2001; in paperback: 2006

Curriculum Vitae
English: New York, New Directions, 2009

Last updated: 26.1.2010