The jacket blurbs of Exile by Richard North Patterson [ISBN 978 0 330 44013 4] say how important a book this is – because of the topic matter, no doubt – relationship of a Palestinian woman and Jewish American man caught up in terrorist politics. However, worthy though it is, it is a big heavy book with a big heavy plot, and unfortunately confirming many stereotypes of Muslims and without illuminating why the characters behave as they do. The overused, rather turgid, split narrative wends its way backwards and forwards from bedroom scenes in the past to the same or slow moving action in the present. Those new to the Israeli –Palestinian conflict may gain some insights, however.
The jacket blurbs of Exile by Richard North Patterson [ISBN 978 0 330 44013 4] say how important a book this is – because of the topic matter, no doubt – relationship of a Palestinian woman and Jewish American man caught up in terrorist politics. However, worthy though it is, it is a big heavy book with a big heavy plot, and unfortunately confirming many stereotypes of Muslims and without illuminating why the characters behave as they do. The overused, rather turgid, split narrative wends its way backwards and forwards from bedroom scenes in the past to the same or slow moving action in the present. Those new to the Israeli –Palestinian conflict may gain some insights, however.
David Wolfe is a successful lawyer who is hoping to become a Congressman, and is at the party where his fiancé entertains the visiting President of Israel. The next day the President is assassinated and the phone rings Hana Arif – a long ago lover from University- asks him to represent her as the police have arrested her and husband suspecting them of being terrorists. David risks all to pursue the case.
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