Maror: History, Fiction or Both?

Maror by Lavie Tidhar is a lengthy, complex novel originally written in English and published March 14, 2023. The book covers multiple stories throughout different eras and different countries all connected through one person, Cohen. Even though he may not seem important in all of the criminal cases, he is the one that connects it all, from the Lebanese civil war to two murders in LA. Mixing both real historical events with fictional disputes, the book creates an alternate universe in which nothing is just as it seems. 

Tidhar’s work combines political, personal, and philosophical narratives ,creating depth and a thought-provoking story. The theme of survival being at the heart of the novel, the characters find meaning in what it means to survive trauma and how it affects their actions and culture.

Tidhar explores the Jewish experience on a personal and universal level at the same time. The title, Maror, stems from the Hebrew word meaning ‘bitter herbs’ which is traditionally eaten on Pesach as a symbol of slavery. This symbolism can be found throughout the novel as the stories explore trauma, the complexity of identity and the consequences of violence. 

Rather than answering questions the novel forces readers to delve into often  avoided topics that  bring about uncomfortable questions usually met with ignorance such as: How can one separate the past from the present if the past threatens to reappear? 

Maror is a challenging read not due to advanced vocabulary but more because it provides food for thought, and it rewards readers with its depth and beauty. It sucks the reader into another reality that seems almost like the one we are living in, but small changes sometimes have bigger consequences than one expects. The book has gained popularity and has been translated into many different languages including Hebrew and German.