Set against the mounting tension of the 1967 Six-Day War, a young man attempts to break free from the suffocating expectations of his kibbutz upbringing. Yonatan Lifshitz struggles to define his own identity in the shadow of his father, a legendary pioneer who embodies the collective ideals of the state. As Yonatan seeks an escape from the rigid communal structure, his wife Azariah and the charismatic outsider Yolek become entangled in a complex web of personal desires and existential disillusionment. The narrative shifts between these perspectives, illustrating the friction between individual longing and the demands of a nation in its infancy.

This work is widely regarded as a significant contribution to modern Israeli literature, noted for its psychological depth and nuanced portrayal of a society in transition. Critics often highlight the author's ability to balance intimate family dynamics with the broader political anxieties of the era. The prose is frequently praised for its lyrical quality and the precision with which it captures the disillusionment of the post-pioneer generation. Readers typically find the characterizations to be complex and layered, reflecting the inherent contradictions of life within a collective settlement. The novel remains a central text for those interested in the intersection of private identity and national history.