Beit Loriya by Shimrit Lustig

After 15 years in the acting industry, performing in theater, television, and cinema, Shmerit Lustig decided it was time to find her own voice in literary writing. Six years after starting her journey as a writer, we are proud to present her debut novel, “Beit Loriya”, edited by Asaf Shore.

Yosef Loriya, a shrewd businessman, sought to conquer the world and almost succeeded. When he died prematurely, in the midst of an ambitious business venture, he left behind massive debts and the magnificent house on top of the hill: a true palace, a monument to his rapid, ostentatious, and grandiose wealth. His stunned widow and actress daughter were left to live there alone, lost among the art pieces, expensive collections, memories of ascent, and remnants of the crash. At the Loriya house, life unfolds in full force. A tragic and comical family story, a symphony of reality and fantasy that blend together.

The author masterfully conducts this narrative, effortlessly captivating us with the characters until the unexpected ending. In her debut novel, Shmerit Lustig excels in telling a deeply emotional and human story, while innovating with literary forms with ease and fluid language.

Shmerit Lustig (born 1982) is a graduate of the Nisan Nativ Acting Studio. For over a decade, she acted in the Khan Theater, Cameri Theater, Beit Lessin, in films, and television shows. Her short stories have been published in literary journals Granta and Ma’aznei, and she currently writes a regular column for Haaretz newspaper. She lives in Tel Aviv with her partner and three children. Beit Loriya is her first novel.