Review: Galit Dahan Carlibach's Novel 'Orphan' Explores Israeli Identity

Galit Dahan Carlibach’s novel 'Orphan' presents a gripping narrative of self-discovery through its protagonist, Avital. The story begins with Avital confessing to metaphorical murders, framing her life as a courtroom drama. Raised in the impoverished town of Lifta near Jerusalem after her mother’s death, Avital suffers abuse from her grandparents and seeks escape through literature and an obsessive search for her unknown father, whom she names Lear. She eventually moves in with a wealthy foster family, only to face betrayal and sexual exploitation by her foster father. The backdrop of the Oslo Accords and rising religious fanaticism in Israel mirrors Avital’s personal turmoil. Her journey leads her to Ahab, a victim of terrorism, and later to Achituv, a retired Mossad agent who may be connected to her past. As Avital navigates these complex relationships and societal shifts, the novel intertwines her personal trauma with the broader political and social landscape of Israel, offering a profound reflection on identity, loss, and the search for belonging in a fractured homeland.