‘Hostage’ by Eli Sharabi Breaks Records as Israel’s Fastest-Selling Book

Eli Sharabi’s Hostage has broken records, selling 20,000 copies in just five days the fastest‑selling book in Israeli history. The memoir tells a powerful story of captivity and hope that has captured the heart of the nation.

Sharabi was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, and held in Gaza for 491 days. He endured the murder of his wife, daughters, and brother, whose body remains in captivity. Released during the February 2025 ceasefire, he now uses his voice to speak for those still trapped and to inspire others to shape their own paths.

Written in just two months, Hostage serves a dual purpose: to relay the brutal realities of captivity, and to advocate for the release of the remaining hostages. “I wrote it to show it doesn’t matter what cards life deals you, it is in your hands,” Sharabi explains. His determination resonates deeply with readers.

His memoir was honored with Israel’s Golden Book Prize in a virtual ceremony held by the Book Publishers Association. The online event reflected ongoing safety precautions, yet underscored the national impact of his testimony.

Captured alongside fellow hostages including Alon Ohel, Eliya Cohen, and Or Levy Sharabi recounts how they supported each other. One poignant story: they taught Cohen English using a single fantasy novel. “He learned English in captivity,” Sharabi recalls. “It shows how much our survival mattered to us.”

Sharabi remains a tireless advocate for the 50 hostages still unaccounted for, focused especially on Alon Ohel. “I can’t stop thinking about them and working for them so that they come home. And they will,” he asserts.

Published by Sella Meir, Hostage is being translated into multiple languages. Bini Trivaks, chairman of the Book Publishers Association, describes it as “a resounding human document,” capable of framing collective trauma into living, national memory.

This memoir is part of a broader surge in Israeli literature: nearly 1,000 books were published in 2024 addressing the October 7 attack and its aftermath covering the terror, the war, and the ongoing impact on Israeli life. That wave of storytelling continues in 2025, reflecting a society determined to document its experience.

Hostage stands out not only for its record‑breaking sales, but for the urgent voice it gives to those still held and the reminder that stories can fight back against despair. Its swift rise shows how deeply Israelis and readers worldwide yearn for truth, accountability, and resolution.

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