Alon Hilu's first novel, Death of a Monk, is a retelling of Damascus Affair, a blood libel against the Jewish community of Damascus which took place in 1840.

The book offers an original theory for the disappearance of the Italian monk Tomaso, which led to false accusations against the Jews in real life historical events.

Death of a Monk was translated into numerous languages, won the Presidential Prize for a debut novel (2006), and received excellent reviews worldwide.

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Alon Hilu's new historical novel, The House of Rajani (Harvill Secker - Random House UK), takes place in 1895 Jaffa.

It records the diaries of Salah Rajani, a 12-year old Moslem child cursed with prophetical powers who foresees the rising of the Jewish state; and of a 27 year old Jewish colonist, new to the city of Jaffa.

The book was praised by Israeli President Shimon Peres as "a one of a kind book that presents the encounter of two cultures through individuals."

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