A Nice Boy

One of the most enchanting books written about growing up in pre-state Tel Aviv. It is also a very readable, first-person narrative about first love, written with humor and charm. Ory, a quiet and industrious boy, has few friends, because he is a good student and likes reading. Ory starts the sixth grade and a new girl called Liora joins his class. To everyone`s amazement, Ory volunteers to help her with her homework assignments. During the recess, none of the boys will talk to him, and his best friend Ili becomes his sworn enemy. When Ory returns home from Liora`s house, he finds an inscription on his mailbox: “`Death to anyone who goes out with girls,” and signed “The White Eagle Gang.” What keeps him going is Liora`s promise to grant him a kiss in a year`s time. Meanwhile, however, he suffers humiliation and harassment, and a trip to the Yarkon River with Liora costs him the ruin of his bicycle. Soon afterwards he is invited to her birthday party, and decides to consult his Aunt Tanya, who used to be a famous cabaret dancer. She finds bodyguards for him – a pair of acrobat brothers -but they prove to be sadly disappointing. When Ory arrives at Liora`s house, the White Eagle Gang attacks him and beats him up. Was it all worthwhile? Maybe not, because the wounded knight waits in vain for his princess to visit him, and when he comes to collect the promised kiss, she rejects him. Who can understand women?