The Israeli
A Work of Historical Fiction
In the suspenseful historical thriller The Israeli, a secret agent gathers information, conveys it back home, and remains undetected for years.
Phillip Kurata’s engaging historical novel The Israeli is about the life of a Mossad agent.
Spanning decades, the novel begins with Eli’s childhood experiences in Alexandria, Egypt. His conviction that Jews are part of Egyptian society and do not need to establish their own land is broken by the persecution of his friend, Sami, under President Nasser’s anti-Jewish government. Thus Eli leaves Egypt to join his family in Israel. He struggles to find his place there, facing a language barrier and other challenges to secure engaging work. He resists an offer to join the Mossad for a long time but eventually becomes a secret agent.
Eli’s time with the Mossad is described in great detail, including an incident when he is kidnapped and tortured for information to check whether he will break down and reveal secrets. He assumes the cover of a Syrian with a prosperous import-export operation, living in Argentina and expressing eagerness to return home. Vibrancy is attained as the novel tracks those who are associated with Eli in Egypt, Israel, Argentina, and Syria, including Yitzhak, his handler; Georges, a high-ranking Syrian government official; and Hatoum, the commander who guards the Syrian Defense Ministry. Rich historical context is included via conversations between Eli and his associates, too: In Damascus, they discuss the differences between ancient Assyria and modern Syria and talk about Arab history, arguing over whether Saladin was Syrian or a Kurd. Russian allyship is also marked by mentions of billboards advertising Aeroflot and Škoda cars. The worldbuilding is further expanded by ornate details regarding people’s clothing and surroundings, as with notes regarding handlebar mustaches.
Eli’s thoughts, indicated by the use of italics, add depth to his characterization. In them, he explains his choice to lead a dangerous double life—and the sacrifices involved—in somewhat grandiose terms. For example, in considering Highway 7 to Damascus, he reflects on false prophets like Saul, who “misled the weak-minded and turned them into the enemies of the Jews.” Still, the abundance of exposition makes the text drag in places. Further, people’s conversations are overwritten and repetitious, as with a discussion of whiskey that is belabored, impeding the book’s momentum.
The suspenseful historical novel The Israeli is about a secret agent who risks much to help his country.
Reviewed by
Caroline Goldberg Igra
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