A Perfect Peace is hauntingly captivating. It is set in Israel, yet its story will grip readers everywhere. The reason? By using its characters to represent the inner workings of our own souls, our very beings - it is relevant to all.
In his story of a kibbutz in the mid 1960s, Oz is one of the first to deal with the issue that has arisen since dreams became reality in the establishment of the state of Israel: corruption. Oz observes with amazing detail the flaws within legendary figures, the harsh effects on the women and children, the treatment of arabs; in effect, what happens to all beautiful, idealistic dreams - human nature. Oz, in what distinguishes him as an author, goes beyond the issue to examine the very heart of the matter which is often forgotten, the true people involved.
In this, A Perfect Peace is honest and uncompromising. The characters are all engaged in their own way of searching. They are all encompassed with a feeling of desperation.
Yonotan is restless, as the son of the kibbutz secretary he feels the effects of being the first generation raised in the experimental ideals of kibbutz life. He is desperate
for meaning and love. He feels, as we all do, isolated and a need to find peace within himself. He leaves because of the restraints of kibbutz life.
Yolek, his father, must deal with having deeply hurt his wife and son. He is disturbed by the corruption of the state he worked so hard to bring into existance and shuts himself down because he cannot deal with the raging in his soul.
Rimona, Yonotan's wife, is the only one who remains
together despite the intense strageness around her. Many say she is not mentally stable, that she's a little off in the head. In reality, they are just trying to explain her simplistic approach to life, her immediate acceptance of everything. Inside, though, she is tortured by the loss of a baby daughter.
Finally, Azariah. The newcomer to the kibbutz is full of ideals and flails wildly about looking for admiration and acceptance everywhere.
While Yonotan looks for his peace in being on his own, Azariah looks for his in being accepted,and in others, Rimona, in normalcy and routine, Yolek in power and the fulfillment of dreams. All of the characters in Oz's rich drama illustrates the story of our own existance. The story of our desperation, our longings, our flaws, our quest for understanding, and most of all, our search for our own perfect peace. Whether or not it can be found, Oz doesn't say. But his portrayal of the search is what captivates us. A Perfect Peace is a beautiful novel that should be read by all who strive to understand.