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Bride on Paper

Nava Semel

This story takes place 70 years ago during the British Mandate in Palestine and focuses on a romantic triangle between Anna, a young student from Poland, Imri, an idealistic young Jew who lives in a small village, and Major Charles Timothy Parker, a British pilot. The tale begins with a fictitious marriage. Imri is sent to Poland on a Zionist mission. He has agreed to marry a woman he doesn`t know in order to get her a legal immigration certificate. However, his plan goes awry when he falls in love with Anna, his “paper bride.” Since they must divorce, Imri leaves Anna in the care of his spinster aunt and his younger brother Uzik. Uzik has a learning disability and hates books, but he has a passion for the cinema, especially the hero of the Tarzan movies, Johnny Weismuller. Sixty years later, Uzik looks back on his childhood. Now an elderly film-maker, he is trying to capture this long-forgotten love on film.
Languages
English, German, Romanian, Turkish
Representation
The Israeli Institute for Hebrew Literature
Title Bride on Paper
Writer's Last Name Semel
Writer's First Name Nava
Genre Fiction
Ages 14 up
Publisher (Hebrew) Am Oved
No. Pages 197pp.
Book title - Hebrew (phonetic) Isha Al Ha-Neyar

  • “ Bitter-sweet love. Nava Semel tells a tale of love and friendship with sensitivity and humor, crossing the boundaries of cultures and religions. ”

    Hits fur Kids

  • “ Delicate humor and a light tone are the hallmarks of this book. Its many layers and aspects, s complex theme and the occasional change of perspective are a challenge for the young reader, but the lesson is worthwhile. ”

    Hoeren und Lesen

  • “ An enchanting tale… A gallery of characters that provide lessons about co-existence, partnership and tolerance, yet with an understanding of ethnic and ideological differences… Whoever reads this wonderful book will enjoy both the scent of flowers and the sweetness of honey, created through the gift of an Israeli author. ”