I am also in my bathroom and my father is not here and neither is my mother and my house (thank God) is no longer on fire. Maybe I will get up soon and see what's going on out there, but frankly, it's a lot more comfortable right here on the toilet. My father is in a hole in the ground and my mother is in a hole in the ground right next to him. I think they are holding hands down there, but who knows? Maybe they are still arguing. Sometimes, i stand over their separate holes and ask them if they love me or if they ever loved me, and I always get the same answer. (PS If it's not already obvious, I am in love with your story.)
Thank you, Etgar, for helping me deal with the ongoing attack on the U.S. democracy. Only art seems to assuage the pain. To a better 2026, one in which kinder humans prevail — everywhere.
I am outraged. There are laws to protect people's privacy. I believe this story was clearly written by a novice AI. It is a crude appropriation of intimate episodes from my personal life, stolen from the internet. All of this is barely disguised by absurd details that will fool no one. Those who know me will easily recognize me. I admit that being a father has been difficult for me—is it ever easy? But did I deserve the disgrace of being publicly caricatured in such a way?
By describing these—not very funny, but apparently familiar to many—situations, Keret labels them as normal. This does provide insight into comparable daughters and fathers, but not examples of how they might behave as adults. Now please write a few stories—more humorous, please—about a daughter with processed traumas, who no longer acts like her father's victim, but who holds up a mirror to him in his umpteenth or every unempathetic behavior. The outcome of the stories could be the same, depending on the father's capacity for learning, but there are more opportunities for reconciliation. Such examples offer not only insight and recognition, but also tools for letting go of victimhood, both for the daughter and the father. And if that tool is used, people will turn away from the Trumps, Putins, and Netanyahus in disgust. Etgar Keret, your readership is large, and your help in clearing up the consequences of not being able, or even refusing, to give up the role of victim can yield more than your stories, which confirm the choice to maintain victimhood.
You write family so well, Etgar! As one of the hardest years since 2020 (even worse I'd say) comes to an end, I thank you for the stories and the internal places they take us. May we find peace in the year to come. Shanah tovah
Ah the complexities of life and death and love and family relationships all wrapped up in one tiny package. Love it. Thanks Etgar and happy new year - I hope it will be better for all of us...
The story is great. But it got me thinking. How long will it take for us to blur the difference between the real and the virtual.
Can’t help thinking we are already there…
😟
Isn’t an unresolved hatred in the political situation in Israel and with its neighbours? The need for revenge that wouldn’t bring any changes?
Isn’t the private also the political?
I am also in my bathroom and my father is not here and neither is my mother and my house (thank God) is no longer on fire. Maybe I will get up soon and see what's going on out there, but frankly, it's a lot more comfortable right here on the toilet. My father is in a hole in the ground and my mother is in a hole in the ground right next to him. I think they are holding hands down there, but who knows? Maybe they are still arguing. Sometimes, i stand over their separate holes and ask them if they love me or if they ever loved me, and I always get the same answer. (PS If it's not already obvious, I am in love with your story.)
Thank you, Etgar, for helping me deal with the ongoing attack on the U.S. democracy. Only art seems to assuage the pain. To a better 2026, one in which kinder humans prevail — everywhere.
wonderful!
I am outraged. There are laws to protect people's privacy. I believe this story was clearly written by a novice AI. It is a crude appropriation of intimate episodes from my personal life, stolen from the internet. All of this is barely disguised by absurd details that will fool no one. Those who know me will easily recognize me. I admit that being a father has been difficult for me—is it ever easy? But did I deserve the disgrace of being publicly caricatured in such a way?
you are right. This was totaly out of line. I promise not to use any mre materials from your personal life in mu stories this year.
I always knew you were a true mensh, dispite this silly faux pas.
Such wonderful literary Chinese face tricks. You never see it coming. Expect the unexpected. So much respect for his imagination. A joy to read!
By describing these—not very funny, but apparently familiar to many—situations, Keret labels them as normal. This does provide insight into comparable daughters and fathers, but not examples of how they might behave as adults. Now please write a few stories—more humorous, please—about a daughter with processed traumas, who no longer acts like her father's victim, but who holds up a mirror to him in his umpteenth or every unempathetic behavior. The outcome of the stories could be the same, depending on the father's capacity for learning, but there are more opportunities for reconciliation. Such examples offer not only insight and recognition, but also tools for letting go of victimhood, both for the daughter and the father. And if that tool is used, people will turn away from the Trumps, Putins, and Netanyahus in disgust. Etgar Keret, your readership is large, and your help in clearing up the consequences of not being able, or even refusing, to give up the role of victim can yield more than your stories, which confirm the choice to maintain victimhood.
I am afraid I don’t write stories this way and seem to have less control on them than you think . It like dreaming…
That story hit home for me as I'm going through a difficult mother-daughter relationship. It helped me feel less alone in the experience.
I'm so grateful for all your wonderful stories, Etgar.
May 2026 be a turning point for Israel and Jews around the world.
I was just pondering the heavy immersion lately of us in the “on line life” and considering to try the black and white version.
But then the check will be there anyway.
Loved your end of year
You write family so well, Etgar! As one of the hardest years since 2020 (even worse I'd say) comes to an end, I thank you for the stories and the internal places they take us. May we find peace in the year to come. Shanah tovah
Ah the complexities of life and death and love and family relationships all wrapped up in one tiny package. Love it. Thanks Etgar and happy new year - I hope it will be better for all of us...