The Parting Gift

Written by Evan Fallenberg

Narrated by Seth Podowitz

This erotic tale of jealousy, obsession, and revenge is suffused with the rich flavors and intoxicating scents of Israel’s Mediterranean coast.

An unnamed narrator writes a letter to an old college friend, Adam, with whom he has been staying since his abrupt return to the States from Israel. Now that the narrator is moving on to a new location, he finally reveals the events that led him to Adam’s door, set in motion by a chance encounter with Uzi, a spice merchant whose wares had developed a cult following.
From his first meeting with Uzi, the narrator is overwhelmed by an animal attraction that will lead him to derail his life, withdraw from friends and extend his stay in a small town north of Tel Aviv. As he becomes increasingly entangled in Uzi’s life—and by extension the lives of Uzi’s ex-wife and children—his passion turns sinister, ultimately threatening all around him.
Written in a circuitous style that keeps you guessing until the end, The Parting Gift is a page-turner and a shrewd exploration of the roles men assume, or are forced to assume, as lovers, as fathers, as Israelis, as Palestinians.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Mar 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094415154

Reviews for The Parting Gift

[Catherine Penrod · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've heard this narrator before and he really is good. His cadence and inflection add to the storytelling. The eroticism was not my taste, but that’s just me. The main character is so unlikeable; I hated how he treated his lover’s kids. But to evoke that emotion from me is an indicator of a good story. I found the spice details very interesting. The ending did leave puzzled, and I keep thinking about it - another indicator. As well written as it is, I did not give 5 stars because I felt some of the statements presented as facts were not quite correct. The flow, form, and narrative are smart and sophisticated.

[Ela Herman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this audiobook! I’m a frequent traveler to Israel and I found the story to be cozy, personal, erotic and relatable. From a literary perspective it felt like the author is a bit of a novice writer but the simplicity and personal nature of the story - in addition to the narrator’s voice - upgraded the writing to something enjoyable. The main character is not so likable or self reflective but yet I enjoyed hearing his thoughts and perspectives.

[Dax · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

He whiny opening was not motivating me. But when he said anyone can get off the plane and get Israeli citizenship if they can prove their Jewishness I figured he was also rather clueless. For starters, gaining citizenship cannot be done at the airport unless lots of paperwork and signatures have already been filed long in advance.

[MR · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Low brow junk; pornography is not erotica. Self-respecting writers would never
put their name to such crap.

[Lady T · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a ride. JEALOUSY is one hell of a drug.

[Adiba H · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A compelling, erotic and twisted read. Also has a great narrator.