Posted on 07/28/2012 8:59:04 AM PDT by rhema
The Fallen Angel, Daniel Silva's latest book, will be another number-one New York Times bestseller. Anyone who supports Israel will want to read this novel, since Silva paints a picture of why it is important to defend this Jewish state. He blends fiction with history and the realistic struggles Israelis have had to endure over the years. American Thinker had the pleasure of interviewing him.
Early on in the book, the theme becomes apparent, as expressed in this quotation about how Israel is viewed: "Israel was no longer a beacon of democracy in a troubled Middle East; it was an illegitimate rogue, an occupier, and a threat to world peace." Silva explained that in his previous career as a journalist living in Cairo and Bahrain, he was able "to get a distinct understanding of how the Arab world views Israel, despises Israel, and resents Israel. In the short term, the entire region is becoming more Islamist, more populist, and perhaps more radicalized."
Without preaching, he weaves throughout the plot the historical struggles of Jews: in Austria and in Switzerland, and regarding the terrorist atrocities sponsored by Iran, a supporter of the jihadists. Silva told American Thinker, "We have to find a way to get it right soon, or we might lose Israel as a permanent enterprise. I will freely admit I do not like jihadists, people who blow up innocent victims on buses, restaurants, and buildings. I have nothing but contempt for them. I try to convey these scenes showing the pain, the horror, the ruthlessness, and cowardliness of these acts."
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Thanks for finding this. The American Thinker review makes the book sound really interesting. I rarely (if ever) read fiction, but I think I’ll get right into this book.
Israel exemplifies everything that the Muslim Middle East is not - economically successful, possessing a vigorous industrial base and whose citizens are civilly active and content (when not being shelled by Muslims).
I try to read all of his books when they come out, & now I’m on my library’s list to get this one thanks to you.
Silva is my favorite writer in the genre. This book feels like it could very easily be happening today. And not just in this era, but right now, this afternoon.
Over the years as he has developed the character of Gabriel Allon, it appears that he has grown in his appreciation for Israel and for the Catholic church. I dont know much about Silva personally, except that he is married to a Today Show reporter, a fact that premptively disqualifies him in the minds of many Freepers. Silva tells his story well in gripping fashion, with pacing as fast as Dan Brown, but without Brown’s PC sensibilities, and implausible fantasies. Silva’s stories are plausible and almost disturbingly realistic. His characters are multi-dimensional, flesh and blood human beings.
The back story on Allon is that his mother was a child of the holocaust, he is an art restorer and agent of the state of Israel who almost single handedly took down each of the assassins who murdered the Israeli Olympic team in Munich. He is also, thanks to having saved the Pope’s life a personal friend of the pontiff, ostensibly an awkward position for a Jew.
His description of the current and historical turmoil in the Middle East is, at least from my perspective, very accurate. As I read the news each day, I find myself hoping that Israel has an army of men like Gabriel Allon.
A must read.
You’ll not be disappointed. I devoured this latest Silva novel in a day.
Silva’s my favorite, too, for his elegant prose, his well-drawn characters, and his clear-headed insights. He’s such a master of his craft, I bet even some unreconstructed liberals can’t help buying his books.
It took me a day and a half. It’s a great read!
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