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In her latest book, We Will Dance Again, Israeli-American author Rena Gat offers a harrowing yet deeply humanizing fictional account of the lives shattered by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
Drawing parallels to her earlier work chronicling Holocaust survival, Gat’s new book intertwines fact and fiction, aiming to educate a wider audience about the tragedy’s personal toll.
Gat, an established author, was driven by a profound need for healing after being traumatized by the attack’s news.
Her writing became a therapeutic outlet, channeling her grief and anger into a narrative designed to connect readers with the individuals behind the staggering death toll of over 1,200 Israelis.
Dedicated to victims, survivors, and hostages, the novel recounts stories of young families, festival-goers, and ordinary civilians whose lives were irrevocably altered by the violence.
“I want people to read the book because I want people to know what happened,” Gat said. She expressed hope that her fictionalized approach, inspired by successful works like Heather Morris’s The Tattooist of Auschwitz, would attract readers unfamiliar with Israeli experiences or disconnected from the region’s realities.
Highlighting Personal Stories Amid a Broader Tragedy
Gat’s novel seeks to preserve the individuality of each life lost, moving beyond statistics to showcase the humanity of the victims.
Through meticulous research—including interviews, obituaries, and media coverage—her characters reflect the courage and resilience of real people.
The book portrays moments of defiance, such as hostages maintaining dignity even in captivity.
Gat pointed to examples like a character refusing the guidance of a terrorist, inspired by the bravery of actual hostages like Rimon Kirsht, whose unflinching stare at her captors during her release made headlines.
Among the characters are composites of those who risked everything to save others, including parallels to Ori Danino, who heroically returned to rescue survivors at the music festival before being killed.
“Nobody is one-to-one based on a specific person,” Gat explained. “But every character is a compilation of several different people.”
Addressing Barriers in Publishing
Despite her experience and the book’s compelling narrative, Gat faced challenges in securing a publisher. She attributed the rejections to antisemitism and a hesitancy among publishers to handle stories tied to Jewish authors or Israeli subjects.
“By not wanting to hear the Jewish story, there is no way they can understand our people,” she said, criticizing a literary environment where some Jewish authors face fake reviews and boycotts.
A Call for Empathy and Action
Through her novel, Gat seeks to inspire empathy and understanding while advocating for the families of missing hostages. The book concludes with a call to support the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, underscoring her commitment to driving change.
“I will not let that silence me,” Gat affirmed, determined to ensure that the stories of October 7’s victims are neither forgotten nor dismissed as abstract consequences of geopolitics.