Wednesday 23 July, 7 pm UK, 9 pm  Israel.

Songs for the Brokenhearted by Ayelet Tsabari is a historical novel set in Israel and New York City.

A young Yemeni Israeli woman learns of her mother’s secret romance in a dramatic journey through lost family stories, revealing the unbreakable bond between a mother and a daughter—the debut novel of an award-winning literary voice.

1950. Thousands of Yemeni Jews have immigrated to the newly founded Israel in search of a better life. In an overcrowded immigrant camp in Rosh Ha’ayin, Yaqub, a shy young man, happens upon Saida, a beautiful girl singing by the river. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, they fall in love. But they weren’t supposed to; Saida is married and has a child, and a married woman has no place befriending another man.

Lyn Julius will interview Ayelet Tsabari, who  was born in Israel into a large family of Yemeni descent. Her first book, the collection of short stories The Best Place on Earth, received several awards and commendations. Tsabari’s second book, the memoir, The Art of Leaving, was also highly acclaimed. Songs for the Brokenhearted is her first novel. Recording here.

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