And Clear Skies Above

By: H. A. Honza

The protagonist has no name; others call him “Idiot.” The book describes the misery and abuse suffered by a special needs child on a 1950s kibbutz. Lack of parental warmth and rejection to serve in the Israeli army lead to several suicide attempts.

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Book Description

Can you imagine the utter desolation of an abused child who loses his only friend?

The protagonist has no name; others call him "Idiot." The book describes the travails of a special needs child growing up on a kibbutz in the 1950s and the abuse he experiences from children, teachers, and other adults throughout his life. When in grade school, he finds a stray dog, Bobby, who helps him develop some self-esteem. At some point, the other children begin to use Bobby for killing cats, and one of the kibbutz members decides to shoot the dog, thus shattering the boy's last hope.. . . and when toying with death becomes his only escape fantasy?

The boy's real need is for love and warmth from his parents, but the culture of the kibbutz, and perhaps their own limitations, interferes with this. His exile to a boarding high school, followed by being rejected from serving in the Israeli army, leads to a series of suicide attempts. Will he ever find comfort and compassion in the heartless environment in which he seems doomed to live?

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