Songs for the Brokenhearted: A Novel By Ayelet Tsabari

In Songs of the Lost River, the debut novel from an award-winning literary voice, the journey of discovery and the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter unfold through a tapestry of family secrets and cultural heritage.

In 1950, amidst the turbulence of Yemenite Jewish immigration to the newly established state of Israel, a shy young man named Yaqub encounters Saida, a captivating singer by the river. Their forbidden love blossoms in a time of chaos, but their relationship is fraught with complications—Saida is already married and a mother, and societal norms dictate that a married woman should not form bonds with other men.

Fast forward to 1995, and Zohara, Saida’s daughter, is living in New York City, far from the complexities of her Israeli upbringing. Zohara has distanced herself from her family, discontent with her heritage and her mother’s Yemeni traditions, and she struggles with unresolved feelings about her father’s favoritism and her own place in the world. When she receives news of her mother’s death, she reluctantly returns to Israel, compelled by both obligation and a desire to reconnect with her estranged sister, Lizzie.

Upon her return, Zohara is thrust into a labyrinth of hidden family stories and unsettling truths. As she delves deeper into her mother’s past, she uncovers secrets that challenge her understanding of her heritage, her family, and herself. Songs of the Lost River is a powerful exploration of identity, love, and the unspoken bonds that shape our lives, offering a rich and emotional journey through the echoes of the past and the quest for self-discovery.