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Interesting read, but I didn't love the pacing (constantly doubling back to give backstories of characters and places) and the characters were incredibly flat - it was a work of historical fiction with an emphasis on "historical," although the bias is incredibly obvious as well. Balanced it is not. I actually enjoyed the historical parts of the books the most, though, because the framing characters were, as I said, obnoxiously flat, and in Kitty's case wildly annoying. No one's motivations really make any sense and people are killed off willy-nilly. They're archetypes rather than people.
slow-paced
This is probably the worst book I’ve ever read. Definitely since Dr. Fu Manchu. Very difficult to get through — it’s not artful propaganda. Very hateful and virulently racist.
Outside of those issues (which are massive,) the writing is BAD. It’s a meandering and wandering narrative that veers off track for about 75 pages at a time to explain the characters history, which is just awful.
The author will always put the passages that he wants you to pay attention to at the end of chapters which is so lazy and aesthetically contemptible. The women characters have almost zero dimension outside of their sex appeal and willingness to care for others, while the men fulfill their own nationalistic stereotypes and never see any sort of development or have any arc.
The only reason it gets any rating is because some of characters are less redundant. But i will basically give anything 3 stars, and I just think this book is irredeemably awful.
Outside of those issues (which are massive,) the writing is BAD. It’s a meandering and wandering narrative that veers off track for about 75 pages at a time to explain the characters history, which is just awful.
The author will always put the passages that he wants you to pay attention to at the end of chapters which is so lazy and aesthetically contemptible. The women characters have almost zero dimension outside of their sex appeal and willingness to care for others, while the men fulfill their own nationalistic stereotypes and never see any sort of development or have any arc.
The only reason it gets any rating is because some of characters are less redundant. But i will basically give anything 3 stars, and I just think this book is irredeemably awful.
So yeah, this book might get unpopular because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And yes it might be possible, that Leon Uris is in favour of Zionism. But let's be honest it is one of the most important books you'll ever read. It is moving and touching, it shows the struggle of building and defending a nation that has been surpressed for nearly 2000 years and more importantly it explains why Jews and Israelis love this little corner of the world so much!
This was probably one of the first 'adult' books I read - and I find myself coming back to it over and over again, so I think my rating of it is somewhat influenced by its sentimental importance to me. It seems heavy handed and overdramatic at many points, but especially the stories of Dov and Karen resonate on every single reading (and trust me, I have done many). Ari is probably the ideal romantic hero, and while Kitty leaves something to be desired (I am always vaguely irritated by her relationship with Karen) I have always found her a good match for him as a character
So much to say on this book, but I want to do it justice so I will write this review later.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, War
3.5, just not a 4, mostly for effort. I first read this at least 30 years ago. It is a subject that fascinates me, but Exodus is just not as well written as two books published subsequently by Herman Wouk -- the first being "The Hope" and its sequel "The Glory." Wouk is a far better writer than Uris, and tells the story in the first book of the run up to and creation of the State of Israel. The second takes it from there through the Yom Kippur War. Great story telling of factual accuracy as only Wouk can tell it. If you are interested the subject, I suggest you read these two in addition to or instead of Exodus.
Man, i kinda wish this book had been written a couple of decades later since it almost feels like an omission not having the 'Six year war' in there aswell.
When i first thought of reading this book, i wanted something that would not only abstract me from my daily commuting but also fill my blatantly laconic knowledge on Jewish history and politics. Holy Serendipity, did i make the right choice... The book spans a very long continuous period seen through different perspectives and is on top of that a really good book. Furthermore the time period depicted is of immense importance to understanding not only Jewish history and culture but also many of the geo-political events broadcasted on a daily basis.
I did read some of the reviews here on the site beforehand, and while i agree with many of the criticism (black and white morality and over-romanticizing being the most protuberant and proliferated) the fact of the matter is that for all intents and purposes if theres a storyline you shouldn't shy away from over romanticizing it's the Jewish plight in finding a homeland of their own.
Sure, theres very little gray shading when it comes to the characters actions and sure the book even seems revisionist at times but in my opinion as long as you keep even the slightest of a critic eye that is all a really big non-issue. My only qualms are that some parts of the book feel really dry (One entire 'book') and having read it once, eventhough i loved the book mind you, i can't offer a reason why i would ever read it again.
You won't fall in love with the characters but you will fall in love with history.
When i first thought of reading this book, i wanted something that would not only abstract me from my daily commuting but also fill my blatantly laconic knowledge on Jewish history and politics. Holy Serendipity, did i make the right choice... The book spans a very long continuous period seen through different perspectives and is on top of that a really good book. Furthermore the time period depicted is of immense importance to understanding not only Jewish history and culture but also many of the geo-political events broadcasted on a daily basis.
I did read some of the reviews here on the site beforehand, and while i agree with many of the criticism (black and white morality and over-romanticizing being the most protuberant and proliferated) the fact of the matter is that for all intents and purposes if theres a storyline you shouldn't shy away from over romanticizing it's the Jewish plight in finding a homeland of their own.
Sure, theres very little gray shading when it comes to the characters actions and sure the book even seems revisionist at times but in my opinion as long as you keep even the slightest of a critic eye that is all a really big non-issue. My only qualms are that some parts of the book feel really dry (One entire 'book') and having read it once, eventhough i loved the book mind you, i can't offer a reason why i would ever read it again.
You won't fall in love with the characters but you will fall in love with history.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I read this book for my high school Humanities class. At the time, it changed my perspective on life and helped get me into politics. Amazing story.