returned to civilian life by repainting his grandmother's car, which he had been using for work as a chauffeur for his adopted Haredi community ever since. As Adam and Gabriel reconcile Gabriel's reappearance, Dafi is expelled from school. Asya brings Gabriel and Adam back to Haifa, and Na'im finds that Veducha is on the brink of death. Fearing that he, as an Arab, will be held responsible for her death, he flees to Dafi's house, and the two make love. Arriving home, Adam kicks Na'im out of the house and takes him to Veducha, where they find her dead. Adam, hesitant of the relationship between Na'im and his daughter, sends Na'im across the border to his home village. Deported and unwelcome, Na'im nonetheless finds himself euphoric and hopeful about his relationship with Dafi. Characters Adam - A prosperous but emotionally-detached garage owner. Asya - A teacher completely devoted to her work, the emotionally-divorced wife of Adam and mother to Dafi. Dafi - A 15 year old girl and the daughter of Asya and Adam. Born to her parents after the death of their first child, she is neglected and lonely in her relationships, and rebellious at school. Na'im - A teenage Arab boy and worker in Adam's garage. He finds himself bitter about his lack of education, but is highly intelligent and can recite Bialik poems from memory. Gabriel - A former Israeli-turned-Frenchman, he lacks a livelihood and has drifted aimlessly since being hospitalized for mental health issues. Despising Israel, he reluctantly returns to collect his grandmother's inheritance only to find that she is still alive. Veducha - Gabriel's sickly grandmother. Awaking from her coma, she finds herself needing to cope with her failing health and reconcile her anti-Arab racism with her new housemate, Na'im. References External links Israeli novels adapted into films Hebrew-language novels 1977 debut novels