Customer Reviews

Exodus (Modern Classics)

5 star:		(123)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

While at work this morning, I was shown an original birth certificate issued in Israel in 1950. I actually felt something of a thrill of pride (even though I've never been there, and I've long since forgotten Hebrew letters). That's mostly due to my having finished "Exodus" last night.

"Exodus" isn't the kind of book you read for literary merit. The third word in the book is "plip-plopped", which isn't a word at all. If you're deconstructing page 1, you'll get annoyed the random shifts in the narrative voice. The book begins with a couple of plodding middle-American characters with silly names like "Kitty", and "Mark Parker".

However, Uris knows what he's doing. He's constructing an argument in favor of the state of Israel, laid out against 70 years' worth rampant European anti-Semitism. It's no coincidence that the first segment recounts the Holocaust (first, in the eyes of a girl who escaped to relative peace in Jew-friendly Denmark, and then in the eyes of an Auschwitz survivor), and then the second shows the seeds of modern Israel through a pair of mythic-quality Russian shtetl refugees who enter Palestine in the 1880s and begin transforming the soil. The balance of the book shows Palestine's struggles under the suffocating British mandate, and nascent Israel's miraculous victory over the various Arab states seeking to "push Israel into the sea". Played out over the epic history is a storyline involving the Ben Canaan family, Kitty the American nurse, her surrogate Israeli daughter Karen, and Karen's sullen, rebellious, Sal Mineo-type boyfriend Dov. The body count rises and the deaths become more personal, more tragic, as the story builds its way slowly to several shattering conclusions.

A lot has changed since 1948. Israel was then associated with the political left; not anymore. The plight of the Palestine Arabs who were induced out of their land by the warfaring Arab states, however, has not been resolved. Those refugees are still right there, crammed along the Israeli borders in the same makeshift cities. Pages 551-554 of the book present a summary of this unconscionable situation, and just about every word is still true, 50 years later. The joyously pro-Israel strains of "Exodus" will probably now draw more cynicism than solidarity, in this brave new world of the New York Times headlines and Saudi peace proposals. However, I wouldn't change a word.

Except "plip-plopped".

Leon Uris (1924-2003) was a well-respected novelist and the author of several screenplays--but it was not until the 1958 publication of EXODUS that he became one of America's most popular writers. Sales in the United States were phenomenal, and by the early 1960s EXODUS had been translated into some fifty languages. It would become one of the most widely published and widely read novels of the 20th Century.

The novel was extremely topical, for it dealt with the creation of modern-day Israel, a highly controversial event--and one well within the memory of most adult readers of the late 1950s and early 1960s. But Uris did more than this: he also painted a general history of European anti-Semitism with an emphasis on the Holocaust. For many readers, EXODUS would be their first encounter with such material, and Uris took nothing for granted in his descriptions and accounts.

The great strength of the novel is its narrative power. The primary action follows a group of post-war European Jews held by the British for their illegal attempt to enter British-dominated Palestine--and their determination to break British policy--but it also flashes back to the tell the histories of the characters involved. These histories, which reveal both Nazi atrocity and the long history of anti-Semitism, are often even more compelling than the primary story line itself. It is very much a page-turner from start to finish.

Even so, EXODUS doesn't quite manage to make the leap from 1950s pop fiction to the level of masterpiece, and it remains very much of its time. Uris is an extremely literal writer, and he is less interested in creating plot and character than he is in using both to present a sort of "headline" history of anti-Semitism and the birth of Israel. Consequently, both his style and his characters--although we certainly learn a tremendous amount about their experiences--read as rather flat.

The novel is also somewhat controversial, for it is written from an extremely Zionist position, and for Uris this position is fundamental to all else. Half a century later, however, it is very evident that the matter was never as simple as Uris would have us believe. There are more than a few passages that will cause modern readers to think "But it didn't turn out that way, did it?" And some readers may consider the novel as anti-British and anti-Arabian as the anti-Semitism the book so loudly decries.

Even with these issues, EXODUS is a powerful novel--and in a historical sense a very important work, for it would influence American thinking on the subject of Zionism and Israel for decades to come. And when all is said and done, it's still one helluva read. Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer
In Memory of Bob Zeidler, Amazon Reviewer
Greatly Missed and Not Forgotten

Shalom. The 'Exodus' was my first Leon Uris' book and definately won't be my last! The book is an unfolding story that is full of fact, drama, romance, action, religion and skillfully inter-woven fiction. From a Jewish perspective, the book accurately documents Jewish persecution and is a wonderful book that educates people about the struggle of the Jews through history and the struggle of Eretz Israel. From an historical point of view, the book is somewhat accurate. The book illuminates the actions of the nations involved accurately. Yes, the British and the Arabs are portrayed as sly and anti-semetic, but this may be the truth in this case. Uris is only highlighting events and actions - if they make the people look evil or horrific then maybe that is the truth about their actions? Most of the events are facts - we have to face them. The book is an amazing work of literature. The story is so vivid, that one feels as though they themselves are present at the time of the events and are part of the action. The way in which the book is written make you feel as though you are very close to the characters and you begin to feel that the tragedies that they experience and have experienced have happened to you as well. The story was truly gripping. I could not put the book down and was drawn into the world of the 'Exodus'. I was saddened when I finally finished the book and wished that it would contiue with the story. I think that every single person in the world should read this book. It really does affect you and makes you realize just what people will do and just how they will sacrifice their own lives for the cause of their people. It also historically educates you and learnt a lot from the book. I now want nothing less than to travel to Eretz Israel and to see Gan Dafna, the Acre Jail in from which Akiva and Dov were freed! I now want to see the Biblical sights that the characters talked about. It seems that people who have read this book feel the spirit of its story and characters with them forever! I have to agree, a truly unique and special book! Alana from Durban

This was the first book by Leon Uris I ever read. I was seventeen or eighteen years old, in the Soviet Union and the book was elligal. Some Americans were bringing some books to the Soviet Union trying to show us the truth. I read it and all my insides were torn out. It was a revelation. Leon Uris was able to open my eyes and to show the way.

First of all let me state that this novel is ideologically biased.
That is no surprise; Leon Uris (1924 - 2003) was a Jewish writer with Pole and Russian parents that had suffered harsh circumstances in their lives.
He was in love with Israel and the meaning of having a Country that may be claimed as his/her own by any member of the community anywhere all over the world.

Nevertheless it is a very interesting book to read.
Why?
Well here are some clues:
Starting from post-WWII scenery (1946) placed in Cyprus refugee-detainee camp, Uris trace and describes many historically events:
Show the birth of Zionism, started by the shock produced by Dreyfuss' Trial in a sensible visionary journalist.
Give vivid reconstruction and picture of Jews' life conditions in Russia before WWI and the same for Jews everyday life in Poland before and pending WWII.
Describe different emigrations phases of Jews into Palestine.
Portray the struggle of Jewish colonists against great odds.
Depict the stark reality of displaced Jews in the aftermath of WWII.
The story follows many family threads converging into Palestine-Israel from 1880 till 1950.
All this matters renders the novel a good read for anyone interested in Middle East affairs.

A very sensible issue of great relevance these days is shown in this novel. It is how a community reacts in front of their own extremist members (the Macabee in the book) and the complex decisions they should take. Furthermore taking into account that many of them are close relatives, and then strong contradictory feelings erupt.

Main characters as Ari Ben Caanan, Barak his father, Dov Landau, Dr. Libermann and Akiva amongst other have unmistakable real historically persons as models.

Uris' prose is not so great. His style is more related to a journalistic chronicle. He is better describing facts and situations than giving deepness and complexity to his characters.

Reviewed by Max Yofre.

Prior to reading this book I did not understand the history behind anti-semitism and its place in the World War. I come from a part of the world(Asian) where we were hardly affected by the Jewish plight. This book quite accurately describes the Jewish struggle to reclaim what they had lost and what was rightfully theirs. I agree with some of the reviews that Leon Uris' emotional involvement as a Jewish himself and the resulting portrayal of all Jews as heroic and all British and Arabs as evil comes forth. But why would it not . . . I'm not sure that anyone could remain totally objective if one's ancestors were treated by the world the way Jews have been. But more importantly he should be given credit on depicting the historical events as accurately as possible. To the critics, I would like to say that even if an iota of this book is true (and I believe its much more than that)its still a heroic achievement on the part of the Jews. I fell in love with two of the heroes .. Barak Ben Caanan and Ari Ben Canaan. If one sees the enormity of what the Jews have accomplished against all odds its not hard to believe that such heroes must have been in abundance. I am not a religious person but I can't wait to visit the land of Israel someday and pay my respects to this amazing accomplishment of the amazing Jewish people.

It warms my heart to see Christian reviewers like Karina Suarez saying nice things about the Jews after reading this book. I listen to progressive radio, ... in New York, and whenever they mention the Middle East they slam the Jews and Israel, and they sympathize with the Arabs. I feel like telling them to read Exodus by Leon Uris. Get the other side. The author beautifully presents history from the Jewish point of view, from the Holocaust to the prison camps on Cyprus to Jewish immigration to Palestine to the Jewish conquest of the desert and conversion of it into farmland, to the U.N. vote to allow the Jews their own homeland (since no country on Earth was willing to accept Hitler's Jews, thus sealing their fate in the death camps), to the Arab attempt to exterminate the Jews and finish what Germany started, to Israel's victory in the first war against a union of Arab invaders. This book also explains that the Palestinian refugee problem was manufactured by the Arabs, not by the Jews, and is hypocritically exploited by Arabs for propaganda value when in fact no Arab nation would allow the Palestinians to live among them. One criticism I have of this book is that it leaves the reader despising Arabs and British, and even a Jewish reader has to be left thinking they couldn't have been so completely evil, they must have had something to say for themselves. You walk away from this book thinking that Arabs are insane. Well, let's say they are overly propagandized to hate the Jews and leave it at that. The Mideast crisis will never be solved until the hateful propaganda is stopped. When every Arab country drums up vicious hatred against the Jews, similar to Goebbels and Hitler, it spells eternal trouble.

Exodus was one of the best books I have ever read. It tells of the plight of the Jewish people, and calms any prejudice you might hold. Bringing love, hatred and sadness into one strong piece of historical fiction, Leon Uris stuns the world with his insight and vision on this difficult topic. People in today's world forget how difficult it was to establish the State of Israel. While reading this book, you establish fundamental views toward the Jewish people, and a respect for their determination and faith. Uris has gotten under the skin of Israel and into the hearts of millions. Through living characters, and intense emotions, Uris shows you just what it takes to be a man of faith. This book holds an accurate view on past events that should not be passed up. It is a read for teens to adults, and when you are through, you will have gained far more knowledge than you had before.

Exodus by Leon Uris is a gripping novel. This epic story is the epitome of human natures ability to suffer, to persevere, and to succeed. This novel comes highly recommended by me.

The Exodus follows the story of people. Not just any people, a special type of person, a Jew. The Jewish population has undergone numerous tyrants that have tried, unsuccessfully, to banish the Jewish population from the face of the earth. The Exodus follows these people as they return to their rightful homeland of Jerusalem. During the course of this novel, they face numerous obstacles on there road to the rebirth of a Jewish homeland. Even after the forming of the Jewish state of Israel, Jews are persecuted for pursuing peace. The story of the Israel is astonishing. I was quickly surprised by the benevolent and unselfish ways of Jews through their lives. They give all to their Israel, including their life.

The Exodus focuses on a few important characters. Yakov Rabinsky a.k.a. Akiva, Jewish extremist fighter. Jossi Rabinsky a.k.a. Barak Ben Canaan, brother of Yakov, Jewish conservative, father of Jewish politics. Karen Hansen Clemet, Jewish refugee in search of her father. Dov Landau, Jewish survivor of the German concentration camps. Kitty Fremont, American nurse out to look for a daughter figure. Jordana Canaan, Jewish sabra fighter. And finally, Ari Ben Canaan, famed fighter for the Jewish people. The Exodus has been the one of the few assigned reading books that I have enjoyed reading. The story of these people and their home is an example of human nature at its best. This novel connects with me. The story, the character, the settings, and the plots all are not fanaticized. Whether or not it these actual people existed is irrelevant. It is all so believable. The novel is filled with tragedy, but the common goal was something worth fighting for. Once everyone united and fought for it, it was achieved. And that I believe was the best thing about the novel, to see that everyone's unselfishness, benevolence and hard work came to show in the birth of Israel. The Exodus does have one downfall. The beginning of the novel is slow and somewhat confusing. The beginning of the novel lacks a common antagonist and therefore leaves you confused. Once you do get past the first fifty eight pages, the novel takes off and you can get quite interested.

Despite this minor setback, the Exodus was gripping and inspiring. Some parts of the novel made you angry, made you want to cry, made you want to fight, and most important, made you contented at their success. The Exodus was an excellent novel and should be read by anyone with the opportunity.

A lot has been said about "Exodus." Some people have even claimed that it is a fake, which is an outrageous claim that denigrates those who died in the Holocaust and the Israel those that survived. This book is testament to the children's spirit and humanity in the ever deteriorating circumstances. I particularly enjoyed this book because I can understand the feelings of those people what going through at the time and therefore felt a sort of connection to them while I was reading it.

I truly recommend this book to all readers young and old because it gives us a view of young children's lives during the Holocaust & those hard times.