Customer Reviews

Thirteenth Hour

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

 

 

This was a very well researched, fastpaced and exciting thriller. I thought it gave a very well balanced insight into the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is interesting that the two reviewers that gave this book a low rating, did so for political reasons, saying that the book was unfair to the Palestinians. I do not wish to make this a forum for political debate, but I must say that there is NEVER a reason to make war on women and children, as one of the reviewers implies. The book is about the dangers of ALL kinds of fanaticism, regardless of where you live or what your religion is.

A friend recently presented me with a copy of Barbara Sofer's novel, THE THIRTEENTH HOUR, in appreciation for a number of books I had recently lent him. I had never heard of either the book or Ms. Sofer and thought that in reality i would never read this work. Yet this past weekend I picked it up and started to read it, and had difficulty in putting it down. The author's tale of middle east terrorism, espionage, intellegence, violence and counter intellegence is amazing. Her characters are well developed and pretty believeable.I was particularly drawn to her main sub plot the failed marriage of Deborah the american researcher in Israel , caught in a web of intrigue. Her depiction of the Ultra Orthodox life in Israel is excellent and on target, although I wish that this sub plot would have been developed some more. The last 70 pages were action packed and filled withb unexpected events. I eagerly await more thrillers by Ms. Sofer and a movie version of this novel.

Not being a fan of "spy stories", I resisted starting this book even after numerous recommendations, but five minutes into this novel I couldn't put it down. Nothing to put you to sleep here. I can't say anything negative and would not change a thing. The author tells a compelling and exciting story while sensitively describing real-life Arab-Israeli issues and how they effect the everyday life of people living in Israel today. One of the best books I've read all year

Isn't it amazing how people either think this is a #1 Action/Thriller, or trash? I couldn't put it down, had to finish it in one reading. Politics aside, it is a riveting, intelligent novel. Barbara Sofer knows her stuff.

I read this book in one sitting! It has two strong female characters, one on each side of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and it shows the pressures faced by rational individuals from their more militant peers on both sides of the issue. I thought the book was very well balanced in its depiction of both sides of the struggle, with no apparent bias toward one side or the other by the author. The characters are well drawn, and the action should be enough to keep any reader happy. I highly recommend this book!

I have just finished this book and would like to add to my review of a few days ago. The book, as a thriller, is good - but having said that, I was greatly disturbed by the one sided picture of Jewish-Muslim relations. No genuine attempt is made to show that Palestinians have cause for their deep anger and resentment of Israel and that some have turned to violence to regress what they believe is a cruel occupation of their land. Instead violence is seen as a commonplace Islamic solution to all problems.The author throws in a few lines to show she knows there are 'good' Muslims but the overall impression is of a fanatical religion, bent on taking over the Jewish and Christian world - Muslims who pray as they ruthlessly prepare to slaughter both Jews and their own moderate Palestinians. The 'life is cheap' motif is so unfair and the depiction of Islam so distorted as to make this a dangerous book. More so because the plot is strong and the action swift and readers will take in subliminely the warped idea that all Palestinains are to be feared and mistrusted, especially if they are Muslims.

this book is a waste of time. the implausibility and inconsistency of the storyline turn an interesting concept into a poor novel.

I am surprised by the reviews that see this book as a fair presentaion of the situation between Israel and Palestine. It is so obviously and overwhelmingly slanted in favor of Israel in its sympathies that I could not recommend it. The reasons behind the 'vicious militance' of Islamist Palestinians is never fleshed out in any fair way. A few references here and there but - and I am only part way though the book and reading it only to see if it EVER becomes more objective - the usual cliches are employed (i.e. Islam encourages killing of all infidels) and the Islamists are seen as cruel and evil, killing even their own people. Oh yes, the author occasionally mentions a few evil Israeli deeds, such as Deir Yassin) but without explanation. For a more honest appraisal of the I/P situation, read Yehoshua's "The Lover" or David Grossman's "Yellow Wind".

The fact that I was more interested in the subplot about the developing romance between Deborah and Raffi says alot about the believablity of the main plot. Deborah, the American-born superwoman, was constantly getting herself into life and death predicaments where she would be rescued by big strong Israelli Raffi (Steve Austin to her Lindsey Wagner). Raba, Palistinian-born American living in Israel, so timid and weak that she barely has an opinion of her own but has no trouble resorting to stereotypical Arab behavior when pressed. Both female protagonists as well as the plot lacked crediblilty. However, if you are a woman who fantasizes about being rescued by a big, strong, handsome man this book may be for you.

They're the authors of "The Elements of Style", for those of you who don't know. And boy, does this author need it. The writing is stiff and the plot is straight out of a combined Harlequin romance and Jean-Claude Van Damme movie.

I've read better "Dick & Jane" books.