Jerusalem

Jerusalem #1

by Colin Falconer

The story of how Palestine became Israel‘Rishou Hass'an had decided it was impossible to pick apples all day with a permanent erection …’Palestine, 1933. The centuries old rhythms of sleepy Rab’allah have been disturbed by the building of a Jewish kibbutz on the swamp in the valley below the village. The Jews are the future, the twentieth century. The Jews are the enemy. The Jews are their new neighbors.The Jews, in the shape of Sarah Landauer are also beautiful, tempting - and a direct challenge to the way the men of Rab’allah have always lived.Zayyad Hass’an, Rishou’s father and muktar of the village, can see the future and it fills him with dread. On one side the Jews; on the other, the Britishers and the Arab muftis in Jerusalem, who don’t give a damn about them either. His son, Wagil wants to rise up and fight for Islam. But what is Islam? What is Palestine? And where will the fighting lead them?Far away in Europe, another father faces the same impossible dilemmas as Zayyad. Josef Rosenberg has been a respected, even beloved, man in Ravenswald. But he is also Jewish.As the Nazis take a hold in his homeland, he watches with despair as his only son falls in love with a German girl. Once he would have objected that his son was finding a match beneath him; now it is his son who battles prejudice of quite another kind.Two fathers; two sons; two very different women. A world about to convulse into war. How can they protect all they know and love from the cataclysm to come?From the snow-hushed winter streets of Nazi Bavaria, to the burned hills of Palestine, from the Alte Post to the Al-Aqsa, the Dome of the Rock, romance and terror collide in a novel of forbidden loves and ancient hatreds.This is the first book in the Jerusalem series, tracing the roots of the Jewish-Arab conflict in the Middle East, from the exodus from Nazi Germany to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. It is the story behind the scenes that you see every night on the evening news.Colin Falconer is the best selling author of ANASTASIA and the OPIUM series and fifteen other best selling novels. His books have been translated into eighteen languages.

Genres: Historical Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Colin Falconer writes epic historical adventures about extraordinary people caught at the turning points of history.

His novels take readers across continents, cultures and empires—from ancient Egypt and the Mongol Empire to the Aztec world, the Silk Road, Morocco and British India.

At the heart of every story is a compelling hero facing impossible choices as personal ambition, love, betrayal and survival collide with events that can reshape entire civilisations.

Falconer’s novels combine sweeping adventure, danger, discovery and vivid historical detail with unforgettable characters and stories that never lose their momentum.

Epic journeys. Extraordinary heroes. The adventures that changed history.

His books have been praised by readers and critics for their sense of place, historical authenticity and sheer storytelling pace.

“Blazing with adventure, epic in scope, and utterly compulsive.”
— Waterstones UK

“Falconer’s grasp of period and place is almost flawless. He’s my kind of writer.”
— The Australian

“A fantastic read.”
— Wilbur Smith

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Reviews

[Kat]

I have honestly no idea what this book was supposed to be about. Gave it two stars for the decent writing and a few good lines, but as a story, it's just bad. Bad book with bad romance-like plot and barely written characters.

[Vinicius Ribeiro]

Jerusalem is a nice little romance that highlights the problems faced by two groups of people who, under the leadership of ignorant people (I.e. the Nazis and the Colonial Brits) become scapegoats for society’s misfortunes. The cultural elements of the book also make it more enjoyable a read.

[Linda]

What happened to the rest of the book? Other reviewers asked the same question because the book did end abruptly. There are two stories in Jerusalem. Both are set prior to WWII during Hitler's rise to power. In Germany, a wealthy German industrialist is respected by the citizenry one day and is spat upon the next just because he is a Jew. His end is abrupt, just like the book. In Palestine, the Arabs and the Jews live in relative harmony until the mass exodus of Jews threatens the Arabs' land and their way of life. The Arab position changes abruptly, just like the book.

This author is gifted in writing style and content. He is not wordy and does not over educate the reader. Yet, he gives the reader research and background hints which the reader can pursue. I like this style, and it results in a very easily read book. His historical research is reliable.

His language can be salty but not for purely prurient reasons. He seems to know a good deal about sexual relations and uses that knowledge in his book. Again, I do not read it as for prurient reasons. He uses it more as a lesson in comparisons and contrasts. Feel free to think that one out on your own.

Finally, he writes with wit. This book reminded me of Leon Uris' EXODUS and THE HAJ. Mr. Falconer describes his characters, their surroundings, their actions and their reasoning so that the reader can be tickled or appalled. I like this author.

Thank you, sir, for another good read.

[Denise]

This is my last Colin Falconer book! The description on Amazon's website always make the book out to be about some sort of historical fiction novel. They are not histoorical fiction, thy are always historical romance (with very light historical information.) Always boy wants girl but for some reason, can't have girl) I'm done/

[Sheila Fagen]

I enjoyed this book mostly because it was one that took me to another time and place.I like reading about other cultures and how they interact within their own and with in this case other and somewhat conflicting people.

[Betty]

It's quite possible that the series could get 4 or more stars, taken in its entirety. Jerusalem is a very good book, but doesn't tie all the threads together. The meeting of the storylines seems inevitable, and could be blockbuster level.

[Pia Groff]

Beautifully written. I enjoyed the dialogs the most as we all know how the war went. I particularly enjoyed the Arabic insults in the conversations, so creative. I will have to read more books from this author.