osmosis

So i've just finished reading the novel by Eshkol Nevo that i bought because i opened it at the page where one of the characters is talking about his Fear Of The Urge To Jump. 'Osmosis'. That's the Hebrew title. The English title is 'Homesick'. It's the first novel i've read in years that
1) is not primarily about harrowing, heart-rending loss, even though loss, actual or imminent, colours every single one of its pages;  and
2) is more than 250 pages long.
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What a strange title for a book. i can see why they changed it to 'Homesick' for the English edition - it's so much more sellable than some weird reference to a chemical / biological process that a lot of people, including me before i read this book, probably don't even understand clearly. i think it's something to do with the novel's concern with movement, change, things moving away from or towards equilibrium, barriers being put up or taken down.
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Reading it, i can't help but feel once again -- for the millionth time in these few weeks -- what sheltered, placid lives we lead in Singapore. No, i'm not saying that i want to live in a society where suicide bombings and police roadblocks are the order of the day. But i'm wondering if there are conditions in which the human spirit cannot help but shrink a little, in which the mind stands in danger of becoming, God forbid, petty. When life gets too safe, too comfortable, too easy. How 'Brave New World', i know.
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Now i have to go find a novel written by a Palestinian writer ...
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