Author / Writer / Book Lover - which are you?
LM ~ Book
Lover
Title of Fiction book and year it was published
THE HAJ released in 1984
Author name
Leon Uris
Type of book
Historical Fiction
What is it about this book that pulled you in?
LM ~ The very detailed characters and descriptions of
the landscape. It is a book that gives a glimpse into life in a given location
and the trials and joys of two groups of people.
Is there a relationship in the story that resonated with you?
LM ~ The
relationship between the son Ishmael, his father the Haj, and their neighbor
Gideon Ashe (a Jew in the kibbutz across the road) is the main focus of this
book and is at once a group of people who can make one hopeful and sad at the
same time.
Do you think that relationship was portrayed realistically?
LM ~ Absolutely, from other research I have done into
the times portrayed in this book, these relationships are a likely reality.
Anything else you want to tell us about the book without giving
away too much of the plot?
LM ~ If you have ever been
curious about how the tensions in the Middle-East developed and what motivates
the Jewish nation in Israel, this book will bring fictitious characters to life
while telling the surrounding history of this region.
JHA ~ Thank you so much, Laura, for taking the time to recommend a classic book by a famous author I've yet to read! Best add this author to my TBR stack of books!
Attention readers ~ Have YOU read this book? If so, tell us what YOU thought of it!
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I lost my comments so I will try to recreate them. I read this book when it was first released and enjoyed it as I have enjoyed all of Leon Uris' books. He gives a wonderful perspective on the plight of the Jewish people, very helpful in today's world.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of his books (yet), Susan, but they sound very interesting and I'm thinking something my husband would like to read too!
DeleteSusan, You are right about his giving a perspective on the situation of the Jewish people. In this book he also gives an in-depth look at the issues of the extreme factions within the Islamic world. If we look at what is happening today in the Middle East, having read this book and some of Leon Uris' other works can really help you comprehend the struggle there. Because of this book and the story of Jesus, it is my hope to one day visit Israel.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this recommendation. History passes us by sometimes, when we don't understand the building blocks, the things that have led to dissension and mistrust. I read EXODUS. I had no idea that Leon Uris was still writing.
ReplyDeleteBeth, Leon Uris hasn't written in years. Matter of fact he passed away in 2003. Some of his other books include Mila 18, QB7, Battle Cry, Trinity, Topaz, Armageddon, Mitla Pass, and Redemption (the continuation of Trinity). I have read all of them, most more than once. He is one of my all-time favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteLaura, are each of Leon's novels stand-alone or should we be reading one before the otherL?
ReplyDeleteJill, Most are stand alones, but Trinity should be read before Redemption since they are a two-part series.
ReplyDelete