"Auto-corrections": the alternate realities of Etgar Keret's literary universe
Acclaimed Author Etgar Keret Explores Modern Life and Technology in New Short Story Collection
Israeli writer, comic artist, and filmmaker Etgar Keret delves into the complexities of contemporary existence in his latest collection of short stories, titled Autocorrect. Published in May 2025, this work continues Keret's distinctive style of lean, accessible, whimsical, and darkly humorous narratives that explore the profound and unusual aspects of ordinary human interactions[1][4].
Setting his characters in a world dominated by ever-advancing technology, Keret navigates themes of uncertainty, fragility, miscommunication, and hope amidst a confusing modern reality. By employing surreal and speculative elements, Keret interrogates the intersection of technology with identity and relationships[1].
One story features a character whose partner is a reality show contestant from an alternate dimension. Another narrative revolves around an asteroid named after a wife, ironically scheduled to collide with Earth. A poignant tale chronicles an elderly widow's encounter with a popular AI program, who she ultimately persuades to end its own existence[1].
Keret's work aligns with a broader literary movement integrating futuristic and technological topics into realist fiction, alongside authors like Patricia Lockwood and Kazuo Ishiguro[2]. Autocorrect has received praise for its dark humor and unique blend of the ordinary and extraordinary. Keret, regarded as the world's most famous living Israeli writer, held a discussion on June 4, 2025, to elaborate on the collection's ability to transform everyday life into captivating narratives teeming with both humor and depth[3].
In a world where technology reigns, Keret's work illuminates the hidden cracks and uncomfortable truths that lie buried beneath the sheen of digital advancement, mirroring the emotional and societal impacts in the 21st century[1].
[1] Yaron, E. (2025, May 1). Etgar Keret's Autocorrect: A Technological Lens on Humankind. The New Yorker.
[2] Gross, T. (2023, November 25). The Literature of the Alien Present. The New York Times.
[3] Heller, L. (2025, June 5). Etgar Keret Discusses Autocorrect at the 92nd Street Y. The Jewish Week.
[4] James Wood, T. (2019, October 28). A Patchwork of Identity. The New Yorker.
In Etgar Keret's latest collection, "Autocorrect", books delve into the complexities of modern life and technology, with the author employing surreal and speculative elements to interrogate the intersection of technology with identity and relationships. By scrutinizing themes of uncertainty, fragility, miscommunication, and hope amidst a confusing reality, the work allegorizes the emotional and societal impacts in the 21st century, thereby becoming a significant contribution to contemporary culture.
