Customer Reviews

Code Ezra

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Code Ezra is set in 1979 with flashbacks to the 40's, 50's, and 60's. It chronicles the role of a fictional three woman Mossad team, recruited and trained by a master spy, in Israel's war for independence and in one final mission which involves Iraq's attempts to build nuclear weapons. There are fascinating insights into the secrets of the Mossad. It reads as if drawn from current headlines and is by no means dated even though it was published in 1986.

This book starts as an espionage mystery story, that gets you asking who, what, why, and how? And then, and then it turns into a very, very, long, long, long flashback story of proto-Israeli-Mossad agents. We are treated to their years of training, missions, kvetching, kibbitzing, and having kunna hurras, all through the formatives years of Israeli's nation-hood. This is 2½ pound, 607 page of a monster of a book, 427 of them as flashback in order to "support" the mystery plot. Courter apparently has needs to read Alistair MacLean: come up with a darn good premise, tell the story with verve, with no trips to grandma's house. And if not him then Ian Fleming, or Helen McInnes will do. Courter does write with an authoritive and direct present voice, so you are always paying attention. She certainly mastered her materials. And the story vignettes are not too long as to become boring, although there is a 55-page mountain climbing detour, that a Fleming or MacLean could have done in 10. But then you realize this is the Israeli version of Charlie's Angels, and their boss even uses a cover name of Charles Ivy. Fortunately, the soap opera parts do not last to long. Although perhaps two chronological books might have been a better gimmick, with a cliffhanger ending book one. I give this two star story three, since Courter soldiered on with it after page 350.

This is a favorite I've read many times since its first paperback release. The characters are well drawn, the assignments intriguing, and the back drop of the history of Israel and the embryonic Mossad spurs me to research non-fiction historic information.

I learn something new every time I read it, and love its epic length. It's a good read and I'm always sad to reach the end.

Charles Dickens was paid by the word, as he was published in London newspapers. Fortunately, his work is still with us.

Ms. Coulter could have propounded her theme, moral and story in far fewer words. She finishes the book not with a bang, but a whimper. The story was interesting, but my, how she drags on!

If you have some time with nothing to do, or if you're willing to pick up the book at odd intervals, the book isn't bad. But if you attempt to read the book in three sittings, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer redundancy of her words.

To say her protagonist is naive is putting it mildly. For him to be in a position of authority, to be so unaware of his agents makes me think he might be a good candidate for the CIA.

Even Tom Clancy writes more tersely than Ms. Coulter!