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Code Blue: A Political Suspense Novel
They really had nothing in common. Rinat was divorcée, atheist and liberal woman. Gavroche was a married and religious man. Fate put them on two ends of a divided society. They fell in love and found themselves at the opposite poles of a military coup.
The surprising and complicated plot describe a small but determined minority succeeded in changing the character of the entire country. The story takes place in contemporary Israel, which is deeply divided by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Along-with-it, no country is really immune against the domination of extremist elements. The resemblance to the United States today is frightening.
Zvika Amit describes the process of transforming Israel from a democracy into a theocratic, fascist state. As written, this is a reasonable, credible and convincing scenario. Frightening for anyone living in any democratic society?
The surprising and complicated plot describe a small but determined minority succeeded in changing the character of the entire country. The story takes place in contemporary Israel, which is deeply divided by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Along-with-it, no country is really immune against the domination of extremist elements. The resemblance to the United States today is frightening.
Zvika Amit describes the process of transforming Israel from a democracy into a theocratic, fascist state. As written, this is a reasonable, credible and convincing scenario. Frightening for anyone living in any democratic society?
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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February 11, 2017First, I would like to address an inaccuracy in the GR description. The coup wasn't violent. It was virtually bloodless due to the network of key supporters in the Israeli military.
Gavrush, the main protagonist, illustrates the dangers of West Bank settlement expansion. He is a relatively moderate West Bank settler compared to the coalition of extremist zealots that he assembles to bring about the coup. Gavrush is a well-developed character whose flaws are very credible. Gavrush believes that he is acting in the best interests of Israel, but his primary motivation is a selfish one. I also think that he has a myopic perspective since he didn't foresee the consequences of his actions. This makes him typical of political leaders. The unnamed Prime Minister whose overthrow Gavrush plots, has far more stature because he comes to understand that the West Bank settlements aren't viable in the long-term. On the other hand, he doesn't foresee the short-term consequences of his policy proposals.
Gavrush's mistress, Rinat, is also an important viewpoint character. I thought that Rinat was intelligent, courageous and principled. It may very well be the Rinats of Israel that will pull the country back from the precipice. Those who say that Code Blue is about the ineffectiveness of those who share Rinat's views should re-read the book from beginning to end. They should also consider the success of Gandhi. Non-violent resistance isn't always ineffective.
Although I recommend Code Blue, this edition wasn't exactly perfect. The English translation of Code Blue was occasionally awkward probably due to lax editing standards. I found one error very noticeable. Apparently, an editor decided to initiate a global change of every incidence of "I am" and "you are" to I'm and you're. This wasn't always appropriate. There were numerous emphatic uses of I am and you are that should never have been modified. Over the course of my reading, I began to find these infelicitous contractions annoying. This problem could have been ameliorated by a thorough review of the manuscript by a native English speaker before publication.
For my complete review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
Gavrush, the main protagonist, illustrates the dangers of West Bank settlement expansion. He is a relatively moderate West Bank settler compared to the coalition of extremist zealots that he assembles to bring about the coup. Gavrush is a well-developed character whose flaws are very credible. Gavrush believes that he is acting in the best interests of Israel, but his primary motivation is a selfish one. I also think that he has a myopic perspective since he didn't foresee the consequences of his actions. This makes him typical of political leaders. The unnamed Prime Minister whose overthrow Gavrush plots, has far more stature because he comes to understand that the West Bank settlements aren't viable in the long-term. On the other hand, he doesn't foresee the short-term consequences of his policy proposals.
Gavrush's mistress, Rinat, is also an important viewpoint character. I thought that Rinat was intelligent, courageous and principled. It may very well be the Rinats of Israel that will pull the country back from the precipice. Those who say that Code Blue is about the ineffectiveness of those who share Rinat's views should re-read the book from beginning to end. They should also consider the success of Gandhi. Non-violent resistance isn't always ineffective.
Although I recommend Code Blue, this edition wasn't exactly perfect. The English translation of Code Blue was occasionally awkward probably due to lax editing standards. I found one error very noticeable. Apparently, an editor decided to initiate a global change of every incidence of "I am" and "you are" to I'm and you're. This wasn't always appropriate. There were numerous emphatic uses of I am and you are that should never have been modified. Over the course of my reading, I began to find these infelicitous contractions annoying. This problem could have been ameliorated by a thorough review of the manuscript by a native English speaker before publication.
For my complete review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
December 28, 2016
Its hard to read a book and feel like the story is unfolding right before ones naked eye, and the author of Code Blue, Zvika Amit has the gift of making this happen. Written in a very clear and beautiful English, this thriller features well-sculpted characters and a dazzlingly beautiful plot. Israel is under dictatorship and its at this point that a divorced History professor, Rinat Gal gets involved in an unlikely love affair with a married immigrant. It is at the wake of a revolution that she discovers how deeply she is involved, but Israel stay the same?
Zvika Amit writes a novel that is as realistic as it is prophetic, examining the different fabrics of the political life of the country. She looks at politics with forensic scrutiny and creates conflict in a very complex context. The plot is well-thought out and executed with mastery. Code Blue is a masterpiece, a novel that will thrill many readers, an entertaining work laced with drama and fun surprises. Zvika Amit has a gift for character and plot, a master entertainer who draws readers in with crisp writing, powerful descriptions, and a compelling social commentary. This novel will entertain and make you think at the same time.
Zvika Amit writes a novel that is as realistic as it is prophetic, examining the different fabrics of the political life of the country. She looks at politics with forensic scrutiny and creates conflict in a very complex context. The plot is well-thought out and executed with mastery. Code Blue is a masterpiece, a novel that will thrill many readers, an entertaining work laced with drama and fun surprises. Zvika Amit has a gift for character and plot, a master entertainer who draws readers in with crisp writing, powerful descriptions, and a compelling social commentary. This novel will entertain and make you think at the same time.
February 22, 2017
A political thriller usually comes with a promise of conspiracies and action that can keep a reader engaged through out.
Code Blue is set in Israel where there is a conspiracy to bring down the current government. When the cabal takes control, our protagonists are in the dang middle of it all. On one hand we have Gavrush, a West Bank settler who brings together a group of people for the coup. On the other hand we have Rinat, Gavrush’s lover who initially has no idea how big a hand Gavrush has in the coup. Will Gavrush be able to control the country’s future? And what will Rinat do once she fully comprehends what Gavrush’s plans are?
The characters are well developed for most parts. Gavrush’s character is especially flawed and that is what makes him more human. His biggest problem is that he doesn’t see the big picture. There was something missing from the narrative style that made me re- read certain parts to ensure I was on the same page with the author. It did take away a bit from the overall reading experience. But I did like the plot which had enough action, drama and romance to keep me going.
Code Blue is set in Israel where there is a conspiracy to bring down the current government. When the cabal takes control, our protagonists are in the dang middle of it all. On one hand we have Gavrush, a West Bank settler who brings together a group of people for the coup. On the other hand we have Rinat, Gavrush’s lover who initially has no idea how big a hand Gavrush has in the coup. Will Gavrush be able to control the country’s future? And what will Rinat do once she fully comprehends what Gavrush’s plans are?
The characters are well developed for most parts. Gavrush’s character is especially flawed and that is what makes him more human. His biggest problem is that he doesn’t see the big picture. There was something missing from the narrative style that made me re- read certain parts to ensure I was on the same page with the author. It did take away a bit from the overall reading experience. But I did like the plot which had enough action, drama and romance to keep me going.
August 25, 2017
The book has a very interesting theme but my kindle version (in English) was not edited and had many errors in punctuation and sentence structure. I had to force myself to finish it for my book club. Several others members had the same issues. I only managed to keep up with the two main characters. There were way too many characters and organizations to deal with.
The errors were not minor and forced me to reread some sentences over to make sense of them. I am giving it three stars because it is an important topic, our club does plan to study the Israeli situation and the history of the area. Some people felt that the translator was to blame, I think it was poorly written but writer does have passion for his subject.
The errors were not minor and forced me to reread some sentences over to make sense of them. I am giving it three stars because it is an important topic, our club does plan to study the Israeli situation and the history of the area. Some people felt that the translator was to blame, I think it was poorly written but writer does have passion for his subject.
May 19, 2021
Israeli-Palestinian Novel. Code Blue is a novel by Israeli author Zvika Amit that tells the story of an unlikely couple, Rinat, a liberal, divorced, non-believing Israeli woman, and Gavroche, a married, religious man, who find themselves embroiled in a far-right military coup that aims to turn Israel into a theocratic fascist state. If I remember this book now, which I read some four years ago, it is because of the disturbing similarity between the fiction and the current fascist drift in the country. It is also because of the clarity with which it shows us the perversity of the Israeli radicals, who since time immemorial think they are the only ones with rights on earth.
July 7, 2017
Thought provoking.
It is a story that shows what could possibly happen in the Middle East. It uses the history of both sides and the new fanaticism that can be seen in some of those involved. I like that the writer showed that there are good and bad people in all types of religion. This also brings to mind if we don't learn to talk and understand our differences the final war on our p l a net could happen.
It is a story that shows what could possibly happen in the Middle East. It uses the history of both sides and the new fanaticism that can be seen in some of those involved. I like that the writer showed that there are good and bad people in all types of religion. This also brings to mind if we don't learn to talk and understand our differences the final war on our p l a net could happen.
April 5, 2018
I managed to read the entire book. I suspect but do not know if this book was translated from a Hebrew version. If it was, it was not properly edited afterwards and if it wasn't shame on whomever should have edited the book. Plus there were so many Hebrew words that I didn't know, I would stop and have my kindle give me the meaning. Sure did interrupt the flow of the book.
June 5, 2017
OMG!!!
This was such an incredible book. It's difficult to give an accurate account because there was so many events going on. I'd suggest you read it yourself to get the fully awesome experience. A+++
This was such an incredible book. It's difficult to give an accurate account because there was so many events going on. I'd suggest you read it yourself to get the fully awesome experience. A+++
January 25, 2017
Gavrush is a solid Jew, deeply in league with those who want to preserve the Jewish state. So how could he reconcile his mistress, Rinat, who is a leftist ideologue who sympathizes with the Palestinians? And can he really go along with the coup to oust the current Prime Minister?
Code Blue imagines how Israel could quickly transform from the only democracy in the Middle East to a theocratic fascist state seemingly overnight. Unfortunately, the actual text does not feel like it goes that quickly. There is a lot of unnecessary back story and build up, and a lot of uncomfortable sexual description that I thought didn’t actually add to to the tension. I was intrigued by the idea of the story of a cultural cabal in Israel but honestly had a hard time with the pace of the book. It was slow and the more facts that were added the less believable it became. The book also suffered from some editing needs, particularly with verb tense, fragments, and missing words. I think with some serious editing this could be a really interesting and politically relevant novel, but as is it just sort of drags.
Code Blue imagines how Israel could quickly transform from the only democracy in the Middle East to a theocratic fascist state seemingly overnight. Unfortunately, the actual text does not feel like it goes that quickly. There is a lot of unnecessary back story and build up, and a lot of uncomfortable sexual description that I thought didn’t actually add to to the tension. I was intrigued by the idea of the story of a cultural cabal in Israel but honestly had a hard time with the pace of the book. It was slow and the more facts that were added the less believable it became. The book also suffered from some editing needs, particularly with verb tense, fragments, and missing words. I think with some serious editing this could be a really interesting and politically relevant novel, but as is it just sort of drags.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews