Forest Dark

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An acclaimed novelist presents a breathtakingly original tale of personal transformation, intertwining the lives of two disparate characters—a seasoned lawyer and a young novelist—both drawn to the Israeli desert in search of meaning. Jules Epstein, a 68-year-old man marked by ambition and a larger-than-life persona, faces a profound metamorphosis following the deaths of his parents, a long marriage's end, and retirement from his prestigious legal career. Compelled to give away his possessions, he embarks on a journey to Israel with an unclear intention to honor his parents. In Tel Aviv, he encounters a charismatic rabbi who believes Epstein is a descendant of King David and introduces him to his captivating daughter. She persuades him to join her film project about David's life in the desert, leading to transformative experiences. Meanwhile, a young novelist from Brooklyn, grappling with writer's block and a troubled marriage, returns to the Tel Aviv Hilton, a place steeped in her history. Seeking inspiration, she meets a retired literature professor who offers her an intriguing project, plunging her into a mystery that reshapes her understanding of life. Rich in humor and insight, this novel explores themes of metamorphosis and self-discovery, urging readers to look beyond the visible toward the infinite.