A Horse Walks into a Bar
David Grossman · b. 1954 · Israel
Originally Sus Ehad Nichnas LeBar (Hebrew) · translated by Jessica Cohen
Why it matters
A stand-up comedian's late-night set in a small Israeli town curdles from jokes into memoir and confession, an audience trapped watching a man perform his own breakdown. Winner of the International Booker Prize in 2017, Grossman's harshest, funniest anatomy of grief yet.
At a glance
tragedycomedypsychological novel
Difficulty 6/10fast pace209 pagesA single continuous stand-up monologue shifts rapidly between jokes and unbearable confession.
Deep dive
A stand-up set performed for one specific audience member, invited decades after a shared childhood to watch and finally render a verdict — and how many jokes it takes before the comedian stops performing and starts confessing.
Where to go next
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S. Y. Agnon · 1935A Simple StoryLvl 5Medium pace
Leo Tolstoy · 1878Anna KareninaLvl 5Medium pace