‘Russia is open to exchanging American spies for Russian spies.’
Israeli author/singer/songwriter Rafael Malul was born in a small town in the northern region of Israel, a town often bombed by its Lebanese neighbors. A son of Tunisian immigrants who came to Israel in the early fifties, he graduated from high school and joined the Israeli army like everybody else. Once discharged he moved to a kibbutz, where he lived for eight years before moving with his wife and daughter to Switzerland, where he has been living for the past twenty-five years. BROKEN CODE is his debut novel.
Rafael’s language is very raw, but the flavor of his writing is rhythmical with references to music and bears sharing for an introduction to his style – ‘I ask for a gin and tonic Daniel asks for some vodka and coke. The server politely pours us our drinks and Daniel tips him 50 Shekels. “Thank you so much,” says the server before moving on to the other guests. Chris De Burgh’s famous song “The Lady in Red” plays in my head as a smiling dude wearing a shiny black tuxedo accompanied by a stunning woman in a tight red dress walks towards us. The dude in the tuxedo hugs Daniel, Daniel introduces him as the proprietor of the house, his friend, Bono. “Bono, are you for real?” I wonder out loud. He laughs and says: “I know, that U2 lead singer stole my act. I don’t get the resemblance, maybe it’s something to do with the nose, I guess the name just stuck.” “Nice meeting you. I’m Amos,” I say. “This is my girlfriend, Gabriel,” Bono introduces us before moving on to some other guests. Daniel too embarrassed to say anything takes a large swig from his vodka and coke, leaving me to interact with this divine creature standing before us. “Gabriel doesn’t sound like an Israeli name,” I say hesitantly. She smiles looking at me with a steadfast gaze, a gaze I recognize only too well. “What do you do for a living?” I ask her sipping from my gin and tonic. “I don’t do anything. I enjoy life, that’s all I do… I’m busy doing nothing,” she responds. I’m blushing. How exactly am I supposed to answer that question? For the first time ever Amos, the infamous ladies’ man is lost for words. “That’s a gorgeous dress,” Daniel saves the day. Great, now I owe Daniel for saving me, and if there’s one thing I dislike it is owing Daniel. “Thanks,” she responds smiling, and then turns back to me, “where are you from, and what do you do for a living? I hope your job is more interesting than mine.” “I wouldn’t mind doing what you do, babe,” I think to myself. “I come from Michmanim, up in the beautiful north by Karmiel, and I work in IT. I commute to Tel-Aviv every day, about an hour and a half drive each way,” I answer.’
Once captivated by his writing style the story proceeds as c=follows – ‘Amos thought he’d seen everything… but then along came gorgeous Gabriel! Amos Barda, a typical Israeli macho man and well-known womanizer, meets beautiful Gabriel, who turns his head and breaks through the many walls of his heart. The love affair between these two highly adventurous individuals leads to some international complications. Gabriel’s father, an agent of the infamous German Stasi turned CIA agent, has in his possession some highly confidential documents wanted by both the Americans and the Soviet Union. He is forced to go underground in order to protect his daughter after the assassination of his beloved wife. Can Amos outmaneuver spies the world over to save his main lady? Amos’s relationship with Gabriel drags him into a crazy international espionage story, and this former Israeli combat soldier with a rich life story manages to fool the CIA, KGB, and Israeli Security Agency. Amos becomes an Israeli James Bond, but can he rescue the love of his life in this sensual, electrifying tale of adventure?
Sparks fly, and the story is successful on every turn. It will be interesting to observe this aspect of the career of this multitalented artist!