From the press
"In a reality in which readers prefer to read translated works, or to complain about contemporary literature being worthless, it is to necessary to state unequivocally – there are young and superb authors in Israel, one of whom is Julia Fermentto."
Yiftach Ashkenazi, Haaretz
"In her new novel, Julia Fermentto sends two teenagers looking for their identity – in a land still searching for its own. "
Mirna Funk, Die Welt
“Most of the book is written in the present tense, but clarifies in a number of ways that the story is an interpreted adaptation. Similar to a forensic reconstruction in which the crime scene is the process of growing up in the suburbs. Like a coming of age ceremony about to spin out of control. Fermento keeps her readers intrigued by promising that every detail in the story will tie into the dramatic turnabout towards its climax… Fermento’s style demonstrates her command of Pop-language, a mixture of violence, blatant eroticism and dark humor."
Yedioth Aharonot Literary Supplement
“In spite of the reader having a good idea where the plot is heading, and possibly because of that, it is hard to put the book down.”
Haaretz
"In her second novel Julia Fermento displays true talent as a storyteller (confirming what was previously revealed in her debut novel, Safari)… readers are guaranteed a fluent read of an intelligent and biting satire.”
Arik Glasner, "Free Critic"
Julia Fermentto discusses "By the Orange Orchard" in Yedioth Aharonot literary supplement.
7 Leilot, Yedioth Aharonot
Julia Fermentto discusses her new novel with Yaron London on Channel 10.
London and Kirshenbaum, Channel 10
"By the Orange Orchard" misleads the reader into believing it is a light-weight coming of age novel until the glass of black poison that was poured into it hauls to the surface a sinister wave of confused and dark passions. Fermentto's description of adolescence is frightfully realistic and gloomy, full of suppressed anger and disturbing yet seducing sexuality, written in her singular style."
Ran Ben non, Yedioth Aharonot
"If you wish to understand the failure of the Israeli elite you need to read Fermentto’s novel. Fermentto caresses her protagonist but she doesn’t spare them her venom. She explains to us that the new left didn’t succeed in creating new effective structures for changing reality because it never learned to accept reality. And reality is just Kfar Saba — the small town. The cynicism and Irony, the provincial mockery towards everything that is allegedly considered as provincial, the boasting that conceal the bitten ego - 'By the Orange Orchard' should be given free for all of Ha’aretz subscribers."
Oded Carmeli, Mako
"Fermentto's characters have fresh and clear voices. This is a unique book, it captures the reader's attention with its youthful pathos and is a welcome addition to the mosaic of written testimonies to the life of Millennials."
Noa Susana Morag, Walla!
"Fermentto's treatment of her protagonists is neither condescending nor demeaning, but it recognizes the fact that youth violence in Israel has been overblown, not least by the young generation itself. Her point of view articulates this excess in a grotesque manner. Fermentto does this is by subtly and sparingly comparing the substantial difference between the suburbs of New York with those of Kfar Saba: the rapidly approaching possibility for Israeli sixteen-seventeen year olds to receive a uniform and weapon and express all their aggressions legally, openly, as a necessary act, patriotic and possibly even bourgeois and boring."
Yuval Avivi, Haaretz
Download "By the Orange Orchard" audiobook read by the author, Julia Fermentto
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