The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family, by Joshua Cohen

 





Chapter 1

The novel opens with the arrival of the Netanyahu family at Corbin College, a small liberal arts college in upstate New York. The family consists of Benzion Netanyahu, a professor of history; his wife, Sara; and their three sons, Yonatan, Benjamin, and Iddo. Benzion is a controversial figure, known for his strong views on Zionism and his opposition to the Arab-Israeli peace process. He is also a gifted orator, and his lectures quickly attract a large following on campus.

Chapter 2

The Netanyahus are invited to dinner at the home of Rubin Blum, a professor of English who is hosting them during their stay at Corbin. Blum is a kind and generous host, but he is also a bit of a snob, and he finds the Netanyahus to be somewhat abrasive. The dinner conversation is lively, but it also reveals the deep divisions between the two families. Blum is a liberal who believes in the importance of compromise, while the Netanyahus are staunch conservatives who believe that Israel must never compromise with its enemies.

Chapter 3

Benzion Netanyahu gives a lecture on the history of Zionism. His lecture is well-received by the audience, but it also sparks a heated debate. Some students are inspired by Benzion's passion, while others are offended by his views. The debate continues long after the lecture is over, and it leaves the campus divided.

Chapter 4

The Netanyahus are invited to a party at the home of a wealthy Jewish couple. The party is a lavish affair, but the Netanyahus feel out of place. They are uncomfortable with the opulence and the social climbing, and they soon leave.

Chapter 5

The Netanyahus are invited to a meeting with the college president. The president is concerned about the controversy that the Netanyahus have generated on campus. He asks them to tone down their rhetoric and to be more respectful of other people's views. The Netanyahus are reluctant to agree, but they eventually promise to try.

Chapter 6

The Netanyahus leave Corbin College after a two-week visit. They are disappointed that they were not offered a job, but they are also proud of the debate they sparked on campus. They believe that they have made a difference, and they are confident that their ideas will continue to be discussed long after they are gone.

The Netanyahus is a complex and challenging novel that explores a wide range of issues, including Zionism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the nature of Jewish identity. The novel is told from the perspective of Rubin Blum, a fictionalized version of Harold Bloom, and it is full of Bloom's trademark wit and erudition. Cohen's writing is sharp and incisive, and he does not shy away from difficult subjects. The Netanyahus is a provocative and thought-provoking novel that is sure to spark debate.



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