Forest Dark by Nicole Krauss

Jules Epstein has given away his money and earthly possessions (of which there are PLENTY) and disappeared in Tel Aviv. He is on a quest for the meaning of his life, much to the chagrin of his three children. Meanwhile, Nicole is a NY city novelist, mother of two whose marriage is failing. She abruptly decides to go to Tel Aviv, ostensibly to research a new novel, but really to make sense of her life. The novel is filled with humour, sadness and wisdom. I loved it.