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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth Revisiting Given World Events,
By
This review is from: The Haj (Mass Market Paperback)
Writing a historical novel about any period of time can be quite a challenge. It requires a balance of facts with the need to tell a compelling story that catches a reader's attention much like any other novel. Usually what happens is that historical novels fall somewhere within the truth/entertainment continuum and will either get criticized for being too factual and boring or on the other hand it gets blasted for playing to fast and loose with historical facts. The stakes get higher if the historical novel takes on something that is particularly controversial or still in the news. Leon Uris' Haj is a perfect example. Take a look at all of the reviews from other readers. There are those who blast Uris for being pro-Israel. These people claim that the novel is historically inaccurate and hateful towards Arabs. (Most of these reviews are penned by people who refer to themselves as an Amazon.com customer and refuse to identify where they reside. I'll be the first to admit that this should not be the only book that you should read about the Middle East, but it should be one of the first. First off, eliminate the politics and read this for the great story. There are vivid characters in this book which begin with Haj Ibrahim and the countless others he encounters in his life. Along the way you get a lit bit of everything you would ever want in a novel including love, treachery, suspense and conflict. Along the way you also learn a great deal about the Middle East. Sure some of it is bound to be controversial but that's especially important in the post September 11 world we inhabit. This book is set in the late 1940's but how much has really changed. How many people have died and continue to die on a daily basis because of these religions that are yoked with every sort of prejudice known to man? There is no doubt that some of the positions espoused by some of the characters in this book will offend some people and brings smiles to others. Regardless of your political position, it will make you think. Given the importance of the topic, can there be a better endorsement? More importantly, once you get away from the big world political issues in the book, you will find that its an easy book to read. The 500+ pages fly by quickly and you soon find that the characters such as Haj Ibrahim, his sons, daughter and Israeli Counterpart Gideon Asch come to life. Here is where it is important to remember that the book is a work of fiction and a well-written book of fiction too. Finally, I would reject some of the criticism that has been leveled against this book's ending. I won't give it away but the ending is appropriate for the culture of the area and the story itself. Mr. Uris recently passed away so now is a good time to reflect on his accomplishments and revisit his work if you read it a few years ago. If you haven't read Uris in the past, now is the perfect time to get acquainted.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing Portrait of Evil,
By
This review is from: The Haj (Mass Market Paperback)
The first book I read by Leon Uris was The Exodus. I bought 'The Haj' because it was written on a similar topic.This book explores, in story format, the relationship between the mindsets, for lack of a better word, of radical Islam and Jewish Zionism. There is little religion in this book, more of how a religious mindset has influenced a people and its effects on their culture. I came across this quote and could not believe how this mindset could be so: "We are going to win, because they love life and we love death," said Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. He has also said: "[E]ach of us lives his days and nights hoping more than anything to be killed for the sake of Allah." Shortly after 9/11, Osama bin Laden told a reporter: "We love death. The U.S. loves life. That is the big difference between us."[Alan M. Dershowitz, Worshippers of Death, The Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2008; Page A17] 'The Haj' helped explain it. The story revolves around the friendship and relationship of a Palestinian and a Jew, and demonstrates how their mindsets have influenced their choices and cultures. It was written without obvious religious fervour (which I appreciated), yet the impact on lives both of radical Islam and Judaism could be quite clearly seen in their contrasts. And it was a very disturbing read. What we think and believe determines how we live and act and what we choose to do or not do. And one person's beliefs and actions can have profound effects on many innocents. I would not recommend this book simply because I still can't get the pictures out of my head, and the weight from my heart. It is fiction that is a little too close to what is actually going on in the real world.
5.0 out of 5 stars
WELL CRAFTED AND INTERESTING,
By
This review is from: The Haj (Mass Market Paperback)
Before I began this novel I had to remember two things: one, it is a fictionalized account of a Palestinian family in the 1940's, and two, it was written by someone of Jewish heritage and could be biased. So, should I be lead to believe that this was objectively written? My answer to that question is a resounding yes! I loved The Haj so much, it really opened my eyes to the inner workings of the Palestinian life style. I can honestly see how the Palestinians anger is brought about, but it is not solely derived from the Israeli side that many think. Some will say Leon Uris is not objective in this novel and he paints the Jews as the "good guys", but this is not the truth. He is only showing behavior in the region and tries to show how this behavior can impact the process of peace.I also don't think a person like Uris, with such a good reputation would risk his credibility and write something that is filled with one-sided observations. He was brave to tackle such a controversial subject and make it entertaining, exciting, historical and educational. I can really admit that after I read the novel I knew a lot more than before about Palestine, and I won't watch reports on the Middle East the same way again. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to learn more about the Arab/Israeli conflict. I love Uris's writing style it is quick paced; yet heavy enough not to rot your brain with aimless junk. My only objection to The Haj was the last 10 pages, it was summed up to quickly and a little bit of a cop out, but the book as a whole is great, and I would love to see it continued from 1955 to the present. So come on Leon, continue this one, from where it left off and bring it to the present.
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