We delve into the life and career of Liat Knoller, a seasoned political reporter based in Tel Aviv. Liat’s narrative centers around the enigmatic political figure Lana Bitton and the significant role she played in Lana’s tumultuous journey. Lana, an individual celebrated for her public persona, is likened to an Israeli Malcom X, a leader who has rejuvenated the pride of the marginalized Mizrahi Jews who have long suffered discrimination and considered inferior to their Ashkenazi counterparts. Lana’s journey begins with her activism and oratory skills, which she has possessed since the age of 16. Her speeches are described as mesmerizing, eloquent, and convincing, and excerpts from these speeches are woven throughout Liat’s account, allowing readers to feel Lana’s magnetic presence. Lana has successfully crafted a media profile that has garnered sympathy, support, and respect. She has shared her challenging upbringing openly, transforming herself from a homeless teenager sent to a youth detention center into a symbol of the Israeli dream.
In contrast to Lana’s apparent perfection, Liat grapples with her own insecurities and struggles. At 40, single, and childless, she battles with feelings of physical inadequacy and a sense of being a romantic failure. Liat remains financially dependent on her parents and perceives herself as a disappointment in their eyes. Lana’s status as a married mother of three becomes an ideal that Liat yearns for, intensifying her desire to unearth any hidden imperfections.
The turning point in Liat’s life occurs when she receives an anonymous call revealing Lana’s secret: that she had a daughter at the age of 16 whom she had adopted. Liat’s motivations are complex; she is driven by journalistic curiosity, her own insecurities, bitterness, and the allure of career advancement. Liat repeatedly emphasizes her single status, her body image issues, and her feelings of inadequacy. She becomes cynical when Lana promotes her authenticity and truthfulness while potentially hiding a significant secret.
A second anonymous call provides Liat with the name of Lana’s adopted daughter, Lior Rosenblatt, and presents an opportunity for Liat to boost her career by digging deeper into Lana’s past.
Liat embarks on an investigation, contacting Lana’s former friends and visiting Lior and her adoptive parents to reveal her findings. She relates to Lior as an only child who, like herself, doesn’t want to upset her parents. Lior’s willingness to open her adoption files, the revelation that her real mother doesn’t want contact, and the discovery that Lana had wished for her daughter to be adopted by a wealthy Ashkenazi family all challenge Lana’s image of authenticity. When Liat confronts Lana with her intentions to publish the information, Lana confesses to having had a child. She is well aware that this revelation will have catastrophic consequences, particularly as she has been advocating for a Mizrahi separatist agenda, and her past will portray her as a social climber longing to join the Ashkenazi elite.
Simultaneously, Liat’s employer, which has been struggling, is acquired by American Jewish millionaire Ari Brooks, who seeks to gain influence in the Israeli media landscape and shape the upcoming election. Liat’s longtime friend and colleague, Alfassi, warns her that if she has information on Lana, their company will use it to destroy her. Liat’s interactions with Lior play a pivotal role in her decision to publish the revelations. Lior implores Liat to arrange a meeting with Lana, who repeatedly refuses, citing her good reasons. Lana’s refusal to be transparent frustrates Liat and ultimately influences her decision to publish the information. In the hope of personal gain, Liat resigns from her job and shares the revelations on a private blog.
The news of Lana’s secret child breaks, and the repercussions are devastating for Lana, Liat, and Lior. Lana is branded inauthentic, her followers abandon her, and her husband leaves with their children. Eventually, Lana resigns from her position. Initially, Liat enjoys professional success, receiving multiple job offers, but her conscience torments her. She is unable to savor her accomplishments, neglects her blog, and turns down work opportunities. Lior, too, is emotionally distraught, deeply affected by Lana’s refusal to meet her. Lior confides in Liat, revealing that she ran away as a teenager to discover more about her mother, experiencing a teenage pregnancy and subsequent abortion, mirroring Lana’s own past.
Liat’s character is often portrayed as cold and detached. As she reflects on the consequences of her actions, she realizes the irony of her admiration for Lana. She never intended to destroy Lana but rather sought to decode the enigmatic spell Lana cast on those around her. Liat’s fascination with Lana’s charisma and confidence, coupled with her journalistic training, compels her to uncover the truth. Liat promises to help Lior discover her real father’s identity and visits Dudi, Lana’s former boyfriend from their time on the streets, who is now in prison. Dudi reveals that he loved Lana but was never her lover and provides a description of an older man who Lana disappeared with for several days. Liat suspects that this man may have raped Lana, potentially explaining her desire to have no contact with her daughter. As the narrative unfolds, Liat’s internal thoughts and doubts are vividly portrayed. The revelation that Lana may have suffered rape disturbs Liat, partly because it casts Lana as a martyr and paints Liat in a negative light, and partly because Liat genuinely sympathizes with Lana. This complex emotional landscape makes Liat an intriguing and relatable character. At this point, readers can sympathize with Liat as she discovers she is pregnant from a one-night stand and contemplates an abortion.
The mystery of Lior’s father’s identity is ultimately solved when Liat visits Dina, a former friend of Lana’s from the detention center. Dina shows her a photo of Lana with her father, fitting the description provided by Dudi. Liat pieces together information about Lana’s father, including his violent tendencies and extreme love for his daughter, leading her to deduce that Lior is a product of incest. Lana had kept her past a secret to protect her father’s reputation and shield her daughter from the painful truth. Lana confirms the truth and reveals that Lior has been disingenuous; she has known Lana is her mother for several years and had met her much earlier. Lior was the one who made the anonymous calls to Liat, exposing Lana’s secret to the world.
Finally, through critical media comments, we learn that Liat has retracted her statements about Lana. She issues a public apology, stating that her information about Lana was incorrect and provided by a political opponent. Liat explains that she has chosen to take the fall for Lana because it is the right thing to do. Contrary to her long-standing belief, Liat has come to realize that some things are more important than the truth. The novel concludes on a hopeful note. Lana is welcomed back as a beloved public figure and re-enters the political arena, while Liat experiences a significant turning point in her life. She decides to leave journalism and keep her baby, moving in with her parents. This shift in perspective allows Liat to recognize the importance of family and focus on building a brighter future.