Picture a trilingual storyteller weaving tales that bridge cultures and challenge hearts—meet Rebecca Sacks! Known for her debut novel, City of a Thousand Gates, Sacks crafts stories that dive deep into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with empathy and nuance. Her unique perspective, shaped by her US, Canadian, and Israeli citizenship, makes her a standout voice in contemporary literature.
Born with a knack for words, Sacks’s journey from journalist to novelist is as vibrant as her prose. Her ability to capture the complexities of human experience has earned her critical acclaim, including the prestigious Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize. Ready to explore her world? Let’s dive in!
The Making of Rebecca Sacks
Rebecca Sacks, who also goes by Bee Sacks (they/them), grew up with a foot in multiple worlds, holding citizenship in the United States, Canada, and Israel. After graduating from Dartmouth College, Sacks honed their storytelling skills at Vanity Fair, where they worked as a journalist. Their curiosity led them to Tel Aviv, where they pursued a master’s in Jewish Studies, immersing themselves in the cultural and historical tapestry of Israel-Palestine. This experience profoundly shaped their writing, infusing it with authenticity and depth.
Sacks’s literary path took a significant turn at UC Irvine’s Programs in Writing, where they earned an MFA. There, under the guidance of mentors like Michelle Latiolais, they refined their craft, earning accolades such as the Canada Council for the Arts Grant and the Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation’s Henfield Prize. These early steps laid the foundation for a career that blends rigorous research with heartfelt storytelling.
Rebecca Sacks’s Unforgettable Stories
Sacks’s debut novel, City of a Thousand Gates (2021), is a kaleidoscopic masterpiece that explores life in the West Bank through the eyes of over two dozen characters. From a Palestinian student sneaking into Israel for work to a German journalist chasing stories, the novel weaves interconnected lives against a backdrop of violence and hope. Critics praise its psychological realism and polyphonic narrative, with The Washington Post calling Sacks an “extraordinarily gifted writer” for their compassionate lens on a fraught region.
In 2023, Sacks released The Lover, a poignant love story set in Tel Aviv. The novel follows Allison, a Canadian academic, and Eyal, a young Israeli soldier, as they navigate love amidst military duties and cultural divides. Lauded by Elle as a favorite book of the year, it showcases Sacks’s ability to blend intimate emotions with broader societal tensions. Their writing style—vivid, empathetic, and unflinchingly honest—invites readers to see the world through multiple perspectives.
Both novels highlight Sacks’s signature approach: tackling complex themes like identity, conflict, and belonging with nuance. Their meticulous research, including consultations with Israeli and Palestinian readers to ensure authenticity, sets their work apart. Whether it’s the claustrophobic tension of checkpoints or the quiet ache of love, Sacks’s prose resonates with universal human drives.
Why Rebecca Sacks Matters
Rebecca Sacks’s work transcends borders, offering readers a window into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that avoids stereotypes and embraces humanity. Their novels challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths while fostering empathy—a rare feat in polarized times. Winning the Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize in 2023 for City of a Thousand Gates cements Sacks’s place as a vital voice in literary fiction.
Beyond awards, Sacks’s impact lies in their ability to open hearts. Readers have shared how City of a Thousand Gates helped them see the conflict with fresh bravery, a testament to Sacks’s skill in crafting stories that linger. As a queer, trilingual writer, they bring a diverse perspective to contemporary literature, inspiring a new generation of storytellers to embrace complexity.
- Pen Name: Bee Sacks (they/them)
- Key Works: City of a Thousand Gates (2021), The Lover (2023)
- Awards: Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize (2023), Canada Council for the Arts Grant (2019)
- Citizenship: United States, Canada, Israel
Snag City of a Thousand Gates or The Lover and dive into Rebecca Sacks’s empathetic, thought-provoking world! Their stories promise to captivate and challenge, leaving you with a deeper understanding of the human heart.