"THERE'S an enormous technical difficulty in launching a book," said Israeli Ambassador Zvi Gabay good humouredly at a reception to mark the publication of Ronit Lentin's new novel on Thursday night. "At least with ships you know what to do." His was the first of three speeches, and he took the opportunity to ask for a greater understanding of the Jewish people.
Naturally there was a speech by the author, and another by Kate Cruise O'Brien from Poolbeg Press. All talked of the desirability of keeping politics out of the launch, with Kate saying that the book Songs, on the Death of Children, set in Israel during the Intifada, "transcends politics".
Ronit's husband, documentary, maker Louis Lentin, is much in the news at the moment thanks to his programme about Goldenbridge. He plans to make a further programme which will look at the effect of childhood abuse on the adult lives of children brought up in orphanages.