Daphne Merkin published a somewhat dissenting opinion of David Grossman’s To the End of the Land in Tablet, back in October. Her review includes some unfortunate factual errors about the book, and her tone at times is dismissive, but I found some of her points valid, and I certainly agree that it’s important (albeit difficult) to try and evaluate the book on its own merits and not be too swayed by the well-known circumstances of its author’s life. The article generated a string of comments — some germane to the discussion, others of the usual “if you don’t agree with me you’re an anti-Semite” variety, which have nothing to do with the book. But the latest comment, published just today, is by none other than Erica Jong (yes, the Erica Jong!) and she loves the book!

After his glowing review of David Grossman’s “To the End of the Land” in the NY Times, Colm Toibin tells the Wall Street Journal that he “was really shocked by it and moved by it.” Too bad he (or the paper’s editors) still do not bother to credit the translator of the novel—yours truly.