Dog: A Novel, with Yishay Ishi Ron and Yardenne Greenspan

Click here to register for this free online program, with author Yishay Ishi Ron and translator Yardenne Greenspan in conversation.

Dog is a haunting, unflinching exploration of PTSD, addiction, and redemption, told through the lens of an Israeli officer returning from Gaza. Struggling with his trauma, he descends into heroin addiction and finds himself among Tel Aviv’s community of misfit junkies—until a stray dog unexpectedly enters his life.

What follows is a raw, immersive journey through psychological anguish, fleeting hope, and the search for meaning in the wreckage of war. The novel also provides a profound examination of the mechanisms that lead to PTSD, delving into the transformation of trauma into a lasting psychological burden. It explores how extreme stress, moral injury, and the experience of combat rewire the brain, making it nearly impossible to return to civilian life unchanged.

Through its deeply personal narrative, Dog sheds light on the a internal and external struggles faced by those who carry the invisible wounds of war. The novel masterfully blends sharp social critique, emotional depth, creating an unforgettable reading experience. Dog was longlisted for the prestigious Sapir Prize, Israel’s most esteemed literary award.

Yishay Ishi Ron is an Israeli writer and former soldier in an elite combat unit who suffers from severe PTSD. Writing has been a crucial part of his healing process, and Dog is deeply rooted in his personal experiences. Yishay Ishi Ron lives in Tel Aviv with his wife and three children.

Yardenne Greenspan is an award-winning writer and Hebrew translator born in Tel Aviv, with an MFA in fiction and translation from Columbia University. Her writing has been featured in Literary Hub, Haaretz, Words Without Borders, and many other publications. Her translations include The Memory Monster by Yishai Sarid, The Secret Book of Kings by Yochi Brandes, Some Day by Shemi Zarhin, Where I Am by Dana Shem-Ur, and the anthologies Tel Aviv Noir and West Jerusalem Noir.