Between Neandertals and Wartime: Alad Zert Unveils His New Allegorical Novel
Author and editor Alad Zert discusses his speculative novel "Alef" and new poetry collection, exploring trauma, Neanderthals, and societal collapse in wartime Israel.
Alad Zert, a prominent writer, literary editor, and cultural lecturer, has released a speculative novel titled "Alef" (Yedioth Books) alongside a powerful anti-war poetry collection, "Guide to Israeli Warfare" (Nomads). The novel centers on Alef, a middle-aged intellectual who is also a Neanderthal—a marginalized minority in a society dominated by Homo sapiens. Through this allegorical lens, Zert explores themes of existential anxiety, middle-age crisis, and the psychological tremors of life in Israel during wartime.
Writing Through Trauma
The genesis of the book traces back to the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023. Zert describes how he and his family fled to Athens and Madrid as the crisis unfolded, his body maintaining a state of high alert to protect his loved ones. It was not until two years later, amid the emotional turbulence of returning hostages and personal health scares, that the author experienced a profound psychological collapse. This breakdown birthed the character of Alef—a man grappling with paranoia, societal intrusion, and total exhaustion.
"After October 7, my subconscious told me I needed an anomalous character, a marker of otherness under the skin," Zert explains. "I was interested in the ordinary man who is supposed to function and instead suffers a total collapse."
Speculative Allegories and Social Critique
Set in a dual-reality framework, "Alef" depicts a world where mixed couples face bureaucratic surveillance at the Ministry of Interior, echoing Zert's own real-life experiences with his partner Mikey, who immigrated to Israel from Germany. The novel draws sharp parallels to Kafka's "The Trial," weaving philosophical reflections on human mortality, scientific dogmatism, and the perennial human need to manufacture enemies.
"Humans will always seek to establish their status at the expense of others; they need to designate an enemy," Zert notes. "My book aims to show that this designation is always false because it serves someone's interest."
From Submarines to Literature
Growing up in Kiryat Ata as the son of career naval officers, Zert initially envisioned himself as a military hero, serving as a submariner in the Israel Navy. Literature eventually became his refuge, steering him away from rigid militarism toward authors like Hemingway, Melville, and Dylan Thomas. Today, alongside his literary duties, Zert continues to translate German anti-war poetry by figures like Bertolt Brecht and Erich Kästner, channeling the historical trauma of Europe into a profound critique of contemporary conflict.
