What do you think?
Rate this book
Just Revenge
For 50 years, Max has kept the secret of his past. The sole survivor when his family was gunned down by Nazi Marcelus Prandus, he has made a new life in America. When chance brings the two face to face revenge becomes an obsession.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
21 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Alan M. Dershowitz
146 books318 followersAlan Morton Dershowitz is an American lawyer, jurist, and political commentator. He is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. He is known for his career as an attorney in several high-profile law cases and commentary on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
He has spent most of his career at Harvard, where, at the age of 28, he became the youngest full professor in its history, until Noam Elkies took the record. Dershowitz still holds the record as the youngest person to become a professor of law there.
As a criminal appellate lawyer, Dershowitz has won thirteen out of the fifteen murder and attempted murder cases he has handled. He successfully argued to overturn the conviction of Claus von Bülow for the attempted murder of Bülow's wife, Sunny. Dershowitz was the appellate advisor for the defense in the criminal trial of O.J. Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
He has spent most of his career at Harvard, where, at the age of 28, he became the youngest full professor in its history, until Noam Elkies took the record. Dershowitz still holds the record as the youngest person to become a professor of law there.
As a criminal appellate lawyer, Dershowitz has won thirteen out of the fifteen murder and attempted murder cases he has handled. He successfully argued to overturn the conviction of Claus von Bülow for the attempted murder of Bülow's wife, Sunny. Dershowitz was the appellate advisor for the defense in the criminal trial of O.J. Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 13, 2011
This book is about an ethical dilemma - when is revenge just revenge or maybe the question is when is revenge just ? Regardless - at the center of the story is Max a 75 year old Holocaust survivor who one days discovers the man who murdered his family is living in the next town. What happens next is the basis for the book. I LOVED the end - from the last witness, to the end of the trial down to the very last page of the book. Very well done - and oh yes, tissues required for the ending in a sentimental way.
Makes me think there is one more fictional story out there that Dershowitz wrote before this one, due to recurring references in the book to another story - I will have to seek that one out.
Makes me think there is one more fictional story out there that Dershowitz wrote before this one, due to recurring references in the book to another story - I will have to seek that one out.
August 27, 2010
This book was very intriguing. Made me wonder what I would do in Max's position. The author did a wonderful job on this book and I definitely would recommend it. It makes you think about justice and revenge, and man's capability to tell the difference between the two. It also told a tale of forgiveness.
February 19, 2020
As other have noted, the ethical dilemmas that are raised are noteworthy and deserve praise. The biblical allusions are also intriguing; however, the dialogue between the characters leaves much to be desired. There is an extreme juxtaposition between the ethical/moral/legal arguments raised (sections I enjoyed) and the “campy” dialogue that seems to be filler material. The overall IDEA behind the novel was very compelling, just did not think it was executed as effectively as it could have been.
January 23, 2011
The dialogue in this book was really bad. The plot made me uncomfortable, but in a positive way. Some of the scenes felt rushed, but then it was a quick read and forced me to struggle with some interesting questions.
Is there a place for moral right and legal wrong?
How would I react to such horrific events?
Should I fight through this dialogue to get to the story?
"Ok" is the right mark.
Is there a place for moral right and legal wrong?
How would I react to such horrific events?
Should I fight through this dialogue to get to the story?
"Ok" is the right mark.
January 12, 2016
Unfortunately, the writing was not so good. The dialogue was a bit juvenile and unbelievable. The story, however, was an interesting one. The ethical dilemma was thought provoking. I think I know what I would have done as a member of that jury but I don't know for sure. Nadine McS, please read this book and then let's have lunch and discuss!!
August 26, 2023
I've known of Alan Dershowitz for several years. I was impressed with his calm way to discuss then-Candidate Trump. Though I've since disagreed with him, he's still someone I respect and read when his tweets come up.
As often the case, this book is unevenly written. The courtroom drama was excellent. Dershowitz' knowledge of the law and history of the law shine. You never get the feeling he looked up a case and shoehorned-in the principles. The ethical issues that come up are really interesting and well written. But the dialogue at the beginning and end? Woof. Think 90s sitcom bad. It could ruin the whole book if you dwell on it.
As often the case, this book is unevenly written. The courtroom drama was excellent. Dershowitz' knowledge of the law and history of the law shine. You never get the feeling he looked up a case and shoehorned-in the principles. The ethical issues that come up are really interesting and well written. But the dialogue at the beginning and end? Woof. Think 90s sitcom bad. It could ruin the whole book if you dwell on it.
January 25, 2025
Max Metuchen’s entire family was brutally murdered by Nazi, Marclus Pandus, who starts with killing the youngest while all the others must watch. He saves Max’s 14 year old sister, rapes her, and sends her to Auschwitz. Max was shot, too, but he survives and spends the rest of his life looking for Menchen seeking to get his revenge. At age 75 Max finds Pandus, who has enjoyed a long and happy life living in nearby Salem. Max decides to get rid of all of the Pandus family and make Pandus suffer the way he had. The book involves an exciting trail with his Jewish lawyer, Abe Ringel, defending him. The novel is filled with tension and a multitude of thought-provoking questions--a book everyone should read.
October 22, 2017
Amazed to see the patience of Max who took his revenge after 50 years, applause for his lady accomplice who came up with brilliant idea of photo death. Cheers for son of Marcelus prandus, who actually made decision of dropping off charges against killer of his father, Emma was not behind anyone in sense of love for, what she really does. A lot more can be written here, but to dismay, i have not much time.
May 10, 2023
Hidden Gem
I found this by accident. It turned out to be one of the best boo!s I've read this year and possibly in my top 25 of all time. If that whole lawyer thing doesn't work out for Mr Dershowitz he could make it writing fiction. This was that rare novel that is a quick easy read this also challenges you to think about heavy concepts like revenge and forgiveness and the function of the law. I can't recommend this highly enough.
I found this by accident. It turned out to be one of the best boo!s I've read this year and possibly in my top 25 of all time. If that whole lawyer thing doesn't work out for Mr Dershowitz he could make it writing fiction. This was that rare novel that is a quick easy read this also challenges you to think about heavy concepts like revenge and forgiveness and the function of the law. I can't recommend this highly enough.
May 28, 2021
Interesting premise- the sole survivor of a family massacre in Holocaust era Lithuania finds the assassin in suburban Massachusetts. He's dying of cancer, but that's not enough- first he should lose every family member , just as the survivor did.
Unfortunately, the writing, especially the dialogue is not up to the premise. I didn't like it, but I gave it the second star for the premise.
Unfortunately, the writing, especially the dialogue is not up to the premise. I didn't like it, but I gave it the second star for the premise.
May 24, 2017
A very interesting book with a philosophical question about justified revenge that has a very interesting solution.
For the first several chapters, I had to remind myself that this was a novel and not a memoir or an actual history chapter.
For the first several chapters, I had to remind myself that this was a novel and not a memoir or an actual history chapter.
January 19, 2025
Unforgettable
Try not to weep at the end, I challenge you.
First novel I’ve read by Dershowitz , whom I have always admired and appreciated . Certainly will not be the last. Brilliant.
Try not to weep at the end, I challenge you.
First novel I’ve read by Dershowitz , whom I have always admired and appreciated . Certainly will not be the last. Brilliant.
May 11, 2017
Just Revenge
I LOVED reading Just Revenge by Alan M. Dershowitz. What a magnificent book. I hated to put it down.
I highly recommend this b.
I LOVED reading Just Revenge by Alan M. Dershowitz. What a magnificent book. I hated to put it down.
I highly recommend this b.
June 22, 2018
A holocaust survivor gets revenge on his family's killer. Interesting case, poor writing.
November 16, 2019
Three hour audio book. Legal story filled with secrets and moral dilemmas.
April 17, 2020
La historia es predecible, el diálogo es patéticamente naif, hay un tema interesante sobre la justicia y la venganza, pero ni siquiera siento que estuvo tan bien planteado.
January 30, 2021
4.75 ⭐️
A just and unexpected/unusual ending.
This was a lot to take in...
A just and unexpected/unusual ending.
This was a lot to take in...
May 19, 2024
I’d give it a 3.5, I liked the plot, but as others have said the dialogue and characters could be improved upon.
September 10, 2024
A great book... but a tough read in spots. Definitely will make your think
...
...
May 2, 2025
3.5 It grabs you but was disappointing as my expectations of the author were higher
June 8, 2025
One of the best books ive read. It had a great mix of history and morally questionable topics that make one think
August 19, 2014
Who knew that Alan Dershowitz wrote novels as well as taught law and wrote commentary on a variety of topics? When I came across this novel, which apparently is not his first, I had to check it out.
Just Revenge is dedicated to those members of his family who perished at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators. It posits the case of a man who survived his entire family's graveside murder in his native Lithuania only to discover the killer lives nearby his Cambridge, MA residence fifty years later.
The survivor and an ally concoct an ingenuous plot to get the killer to commit suicide, but then plead innocent when the protagonist--a lawyer of course--convinces him of the concept of just revenge.
Dershowitz is a competent story teller. To write about complex philosophical and legal issues without turning the story into a textbook or reducing the characters to stick figures requires both skill and sensitivity.
In any such venture a few pieces of the puzzle don't fit as smoothly as the rest. In Just Revenge, the last minute discovery of a surprise witness and the conversion of the killer's son from would-be revenger feel somewhat artificial, and from a literary criticism vantage the shifting points of view from one character to another in the middle of a scene is a distraction, but these don't detract from the overall impact of the story, which challenges the reader to consider "what would I do were I in the survivor's shoes."
Just Revenge is dedicated to those members of his family who perished at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators. It posits the case of a man who survived his entire family's graveside murder in his native Lithuania only to discover the killer lives nearby his Cambridge, MA residence fifty years later.
The survivor and an ally concoct an ingenuous plot to get the killer to commit suicide, but then plead innocent when the protagonist--a lawyer of course--convinces him of the concept of just revenge.
Dershowitz is a competent story teller. To write about complex philosophical and legal issues without turning the story into a textbook or reducing the characters to stick figures requires both skill and sensitivity.
In any such venture a few pieces of the puzzle don't fit as smoothly as the rest. In Just Revenge, the last minute discovery of a surprise witness and the conversion of the killer's son from would-be revenger feel somewhat artificial, and from a literary criticism vantage the shifting points of view from one character to another in the middle of a scene is a distraction, but these don't detract from the overall impact of the story, which challenges the reader to consider "what would I do were I in the survivor's shoes."
September 15, 2014
What kicks it up a star is the last third of the book, when the trial starts. The rest of it was just horrible. The characters are flat. Am I supposed to care about Max automatically because the character experienced trauma? It's lazy of the author. Am I supposed to feel some empathy for Paul because his father was taken a little earlier than he'd expected? I didn't see the loving relationship that was supposed to exist, just that one or two lines that say they were close when Paul was a teenager. Again, lazy author. All the characters seemed to speak with the same voice. The 22 year old college student sounded just like the 40 year old son, who sounded just like a 50 year old lawyer.
He did bring up some great points to ponder, like when is revenge appropriate? When does the cycle stop or when should it stop?
He did bring up some great points to ponder, like when is revenge appropriate? When does the cycle stop or when should it stop?
February 26, 2016
A most enjoyable and thought-provoking read!! A Holocaust survivor discovers, many years later, that the man who murdered his family is alive and living in America, but terminally ill. Seeking revenge, he initially considers killing the man’s grandson, as a way of making him feel the same sort of pain he had earlier inflicted on Max. With the help of a colleague, another Biblical scholar, he devises what he considers a “just revenge” that accomplishes his goal without his actively killing another person. Once caught, however, he must face a jury that will decide whether justice truly was served.
February 9, 2016
Alan Dershowitz is undoubtedly a great lawyer, but this novel is pathetic. Character development about as deep and well done as a middle schooler's short story. Story line equally predictable. I found this book on my book shelf, where it has apparently been sleeping since 1999. I should have left it there.
January 31, 2017
Enjoyed contemplating the ethical question, "Is revenge ever just?" Max, a victim and survivor of the Holocaust, discovers that the man responsible for killing his family lives in a neighboring town. He plots his revenge and the ensuing trial forces us to examine our concepts of justice. Not particularly well written but provocative.
May 24, 2015
It was a compelling story with the feel of narrative non-fiction. As fiction, I found the writing weak, but the story pulled me along, and the didactic presentation of court mechanics was very interesting. Glad I read it.
January 23, 2016
The story about a Holocaust survivor whose entire family was killed as he witnessed it. Turns out the murderer was alive and well years later and expressed no regret about what he did. Is it just revenge to torture someone mentally or physically for past crimes???
March 4, 2009
Highly recommend this book
April 5, 2010
Would have given it five stars but I read it so long ago I don't remember every detail enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews