The Haj: A Novel

I really enjoyed the historical backdrop, and clear explanation of the driving forces behind the events. An insight into the Arab culture was an eye opener, although filled me with sadness in many respects. It was also amazing to see Jewish resilience, motivation, and brotherhood. An excellent book. Recommended.

Another long one but my interest was there all along for the ride. What an author! I know it was written in the sixties however with the mid-east in shambles STILL, I felt it was current. Worth the effort to read.

As usual Leon Uris paints the main characters so well we can almost know what they will do in a certain situation. Then he twists things around. The is a great story about the Palenstinian life before and after the formation of the Israeli nation and the choices that had to be made. Please read. You will not only be entertained but will be informed.

Open up your newspaper. Suicide bomber kills ten! Where? Israel. Iraq. Turkey. Day after day, it seems the violence in this area of the world never ends. We read of seemingly endless peace proposals whose terms towards the Palestinians look generous that are rejected out of hand. And we wonder: why? How can this situation be changed? Can Arab and Jew ever find a solution they both can live with?

In The Haj, Uris has attempted to show some of the reasons behind today's problems. Told from the Arab viewpoint, within its fictional confines it details some of the historical events of this area from just before World War I to the 1956 Arab-Israeli conflict. As Uris is well known for portraying Jews in a very favorable light, the immediate question springs to mind of just how unbiased he could be with this portrayal, an item that should probably be kept in the back of your mind while reading this, and further reading from other sources should be used to confirm the historical facts presented here.

But the picture Uris paints of the Arab culture and history rings with veracity. The story follows the family of Haj Ibrahim, mainly concentrating on the father himself and his son Ishmael. Haj Ibrahim is the leader of the small village of Tabah, a position he obtained by force over his older brother. The depiction of Haj as patriarch, whose word within the family is absolute law, who as leader must never show cowardice or lose face, is striking. The position of women within the Arab society, the importance of the teachings of the Q'uran to their daily lives, the relative value of a `book' education, are all shown within the dynamics of this family. It is this portrait of the culture, steeped in a history going back 3,000 years, that is the fundamental lynch-pin of this story, as Uris shows just how the culture and its expectations for individual behavior shape the events of history. His portrait of the British exercise of the Palestinian Mandate is damning, but is placed side-by-side with the internal squabbling of the various Arab tribes, and even the Jewish Haganah comes in for some harsh words.

But most relevant to today's situation are the events that followed immediately after the 1948 declaration of independence of the Israeli state, when Haj and his entire village evacuate in anticipation of the invasion of Arab armies. Here is the genesis of the Palestinian problem, as the thousands of Arab refugees are forcibly contained in various camps, with no resources, no facilities, and aid packages from foreign countries are systematically confiscated by the Arab `governments' (often shown as merely the latest strong man who has managed to briefly seize power). But worse is the fact that, contrary to their heritage, within these camps Arab would not help Arab, no single leader would be accepted, no efforts were made by their inhabitants to improve conditions, as the camps were temporary, surely soon the Arab world would drive the Jews into the sea and they could return to their homes. It is from these conditions, along with constant hate-filled rhetoric from various Arab leaders, that the terrorist groups of today were formed.

The story Uris tells is powerful, its illumination of the reasons for today's conditions brilliant. It does not have quite the emotional power of his Exodus or Mila-18, nor yet the sweeping portrayal of the thousands of years of history of the area so well portrayed by Michener's The Source, but it will leave you with a better understanding of a culture and people who are shaking many of the events of today.

--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

The historical novel is probably the best and most economical vehicle for conveying an understanding of the complex interaction of people and events. It is much more capable of conveying the complexities of culture and a flavor for a time and place than any other written form. It is important to note that the author is not unbiased, and one must assume that he probably would have a bias in favor of the Jewish people. However, as long as the reader is aware of this potential bias, and keeps it in mind during reading, the book provides a degree of understanding of Palestinian Arab culture and the conflict between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East. Such an understanding would be almost impossible to convey effectively in any written form other than the historical novel. For people who, like me, have been baffled and confused about the continuing conflict in the Middle East, this book provides clarity and understanding of many issues that tend to perpetuate this conflict. Is peace possible in the Middle East? After reading this book, it is possible to come to a conclusion that a lasting peace may never be possible in this region.

Wonderful,enlightening book. So well written. Helped me with understanding the sad tragedy unfolding right now in Israel and Palestine and how the Moslem religion still inflames the minds and traps them into revenge and hate. Such a Sad but brilliant story.

As always, Leon Uris, holds your interest and throws you right into the story. He is a master storyteller. I know I will be recalling a lot of his story for a long time. He makes history so real and readable

I originally read this book when it was published in 1985 and knew nothing of the cultures of the Middle East except that Lawrence of Arabia's had attempted, and failed, to organize the various tribes and states (countries) thereof into a national entity. After the animosities of cultures since WW II and the current world situation in which we find ourselves, I re-read it with more understanding of both sides of the now existing conflicts.

Uris has detailed the ancient mores that have extended into present day customs in Middle Eastern life, mores which Europeans and Americans do not understand because they are so different from our own. The story is historical, bloody, and sad, especially highlighting the treatment of Arabian women since the beginning of those cultures. But as with others cultures, including our own, "the people" have little power over those who hold the highest offices, whether they be Big Government, Big Business, or Religious Leaders - it's a worldwide phenomenon. The reason why these societies/cultures exist is because the majority of people want other people, those they think are smarter than they, to tell them what, when and how to do everything. Those of us who wish to think and act for ourselves are outnumbered, thus is appears these atrocities will continue until one side or the other (this includes all warring factions) pushes the button and disposes of us all.

Uris gave us a warning, I hope we heed it.

Great epic of long held beliefs, hatred, intrigue and revenge. I didn't think I could hang it there for the whole long book, but I couldn't put it down once I got into it. Wonderful fiction mixed w/history, family loyalty and suspicion made for a gripping saga of the near East that still unfold today.

Excellent story that explains much of the middle east history and culture through fictional characters in real historical settings and events. I learned more about the Middle East, its peoples, cultures and religions from this story than I learned in seven or eight text books on the subject.

Excellent reading. Provides an understanding for the continuing Middle Eat conflict. In fact, little has changed in the area in the 30+ years since it has been written. The world, unfortunately, has forgotten basic history.

Written 30 years ago, but it tells exactly what is happening in the Middle East. The mentality and I do not mean IQ is so different from the West. One has to recognize this in order to understand the problems there.
This is superb writing and the story is fabulous. I learned more about the Middle East than I knew before. Thank you to Leon Uris for a book that has span over thirty year and is still relevant today. Few books can due that.

This book captures the reader. It tells the story of an Arab family and the fortunes associated with it. The book brings the Jewish perspective on the Palestinian situation. It is certainly colored by that angle. The writer focuses on the Palestinian culture, but there is not much on the life of the Jewish settler in the kibbutz. I think there were parts of the book that exaggerated the Palestinian male lifestyle, but I do recommend the book.

After I started reading this book, I did a search to see if the author was biased because he portrayed the Arabs as horrible people. Also I was shocked by the actions of the British after World War II. Both were apparently true. I thought after all the suffering of the Jews, that the Allies did as much as possible to help the Jews. But I was wrong. The British were certainly not as horrible as the Germans, but they did everything in their power to stop the Jews from establishing the Jewish country including putting them in camps if they tried to reach The Promised Land.
However, I enjoyed the story while I was learning the history. When I found out that my book club picked a Leon Urus book, I moaned. I had never read one before, but l knew they were lenghty. I discovered that the story and the history mesmerized me. I simply couldn't put it down.

This book captures the reader. It tells the story of an Arab family and the fortunes associated with it. The book brings the Jewish perspective on the Palestinian situation. It is certainly colored by that angle. The writer focuses on the Palestinian culture, but there is not much on the life of the Jewish settler in the kibbutz. I think there were parts of the book that exaggerated the Palestinian male lifestyle, but I do recommend the book.

After I started reading this book, I did a search to see if the author was biased because he portrayed the Arabs as horrible people. Also I was shocked by the actions of the British after World War II. Both were apparently true. I thought after all the suffering of the Jews, that the Allies did as much as possible to help the Jews. But I was wrong. The British were certainly not as horrible as the Germans, but they did everything in their power to stop the Jews from establishing the Jewish country including putting them in camps if they tried to reach The Promised Land.
However, I enjoyed the story while I was learning the history. When I found out that my book club picked a Leon Urus book, I moaned. I had never read one before, but l knew they were lenghty. I discovered that the story and the history mesmerized me. I simply couldn't put it down.

Absolute must reading for anyone wanting to place today's turmoil in the Middle East in context. Uris writes with historical accuracy about the tribes, clans, leaders of Middle Eastern countries, the complicated politics of the British and their turn-a-blind eye attitude to the machinations involving the birth of the State of Israel. Here is where we learn about the Moslem Brotherhood, how terrorism got its start, the actions of Arab nations that displaced the people of Palestine and left them to fend for themselves in refugee camps because of political expediency, all aimed at the destruction of the fledgling Jewish state. Almost every page is an "aha" moment. Could not put the book down.The Haj

This book gives a detailed history of how the Israeli - Palestinian conflict emerged. It gives us insights into the Arab customs and culture vs. the Jewish - Israeli culture. Why did Palestinians wind up in refugee camps, unable to return home? Was it Israel or the political in-fighting, land grabbing, back stabbing and inflated egos of the Arab world?

The book is written through the eyes of a Palestinian boy who has to deal with being uprooted from his family's land. At times the book is too wordy and gets bogged down in a little too much dry history to maintain a fast pace; however this book remains a landmark in the telling of the birth of a conflict. It is as relevant today as when it was first published in 1984.

One of his best and gives great understanding of another culture so different from ours. A very fine writer! The author has a discriptive intelligence and understanding of his subject that reaches current readers even though the book was written some time ago. I have appreciated his other writings as well.