Review of CrocAttack, Tel Aviv Magazine,

Israel
March 31, 2006

Appeared in Hebrew. Translated to English

Huge Croc
Book review by Maya Sela Tel Aviv Magazine, March 31, 2006
Assaf Gavrons successful CrocAttack about a hi-tech man whose
life changes after he survives four terrorist attacks is a savagely
compassionate mirror of 21st century Israel.
Assaf Gavron brings us the story of Etan Enoch, nicknamed Croc after
becoming a serial survivor from three terrorist attacks. Croc works in a hi-tech
firm dedicated to time-saving, a place where every second counts, and lives his
life in the fast track.
Crocs world turns on its head after getting off a bus, one stop before a suicide
bomber blows it up. He is invited to the national chat show Noahs Ark, hosted
by TV star Tommy Musari and becomes a celebrity.
These events allow Gavron to depict Israel at the beginning of the 21stcentury
the patriotic media, the macho and humorless chase after time, money and
celebrities, the feeble and alienated relationships, like the one between Croc and
his girlfriend Doochi.
Parallel to Crocs story, we are told the story of Fahmi Sabich from the El-Amari
refugee camp, who lies unconscious in hospital while protesters outside demand
that the despicable terrorist not be treated. Fahmis is the story of third
generation Palestinian refugees, who have very few choices.
Gavron describes the lives of two sons of the same generation Fahmi and Croc
the distance between whom seems to be very large yet at the same time very
small. Indeed they will eventually meet, in almost the only way they can: in tragic
circumstances. Croc, after the series of attacks that he survives, cant return to his
normal life and suffers trauma. He starts to follow the life story of Giora Gueta,
one of the victims of the attack. Fahmi, whose whole life is soaked in the trauma
of the Israeli occupation, will find the information that helps Croc decipher

Guetas last day, but the moments of grace between them will be short lived and
the collision inevitable.
This is an impressive and important book about our story and their story. It
moves between Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah, and succeeds in conveying the
details of the conflict, its roots and its hopelessness. It makes a brave attempt,
which may anger many, to break into the consciousness of those who are seen on
our side as the devils: the suicide bombers.
Gavron does all this convincingly, and succeeds in placing a mirror not very
flattering but full of compassion and moments of grace in front of the shaken
and distorted reality we live in.