THE HUG

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David Grossman & Michal Rovner

Fiction, 2011

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THE HUG is a warm and poignant story, unlike any other, a pearl for children and adults alike. David Grossman tells of the moment in which a boy realizes that he is singular and unique and then also feels for the first time the loneliness of knowing that there is no one else like him in the world. He is soothed by his mother’s loving hug. For each of us – child or adult – an embrace can alleviate the loneliness that comes of  understanding that there is no one else quite like us in the world.

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THE HUG is the first collaboration between author David Grossman and artist Michal Rovner. The exquisite, intimate line drawings perfectly complement the luminous writing. 

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Rights Sold:

Croatia: ArTresor; Denmark: Vandkunsten; France: Steidl Verlag; Germany: Hanser Verlag; Holland: Cossee; Israel (arabic): Am Oved; Israel (Hebrew): Am Oved; Italy: Mondadori; Serbia: Archipelag; Spain (Catalan): La Cruilla; Spain: Sexto Piso; UK: Duckworth (rights reverted); USA: Overlook Press

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Reviews:

“[David Grossman] seems to carry the world of a boy alive with him.” – George Packer, The New Yorker

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“The Hug is most likely the oldest form of tenderness. Promising security, comfort and  commonality?, the hug is more important than the kiss. [In this book] a mother, son and dog go for a walk. David Grossman knows that it is best to speak in nature, next to each other and possibly also while holding hands without looking at each other. In such a situation we can accept the fear of being alone. Accompanying the words of this book are small and modestly almost meditative drawings by the Israeli artist Michal Rovner. Only seldom do we detect a small splash of color in the slate-colored silhouettes. This is a friendly and tender parable.” – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

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“The language is lyrical and spare but filled with universal truth; the art, also spare, just grays with a hint of color, is perfect for enhancing story and mood.” – Jewish Book World

 

“One of contemporary literature's most versatile and absorbing writers.” – San Francisco Chronicle

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