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U !?!: You What !?!
When absolutely nothing in your life is as it appears, and danger follows you wherever you go, what do you do? Small-town boy Doug Chiswick is catapulted into adulthood and faces the real world when he leaves home for the first time for college.
But nothing and no one are what they seem. And it isn’t all in his head. He’s exposed to violence, betrayal, and death, and all because of one man, Ari. Doug tries to avoid him, even changing his country, his path in life, his friends. But wherever he goes, Ari is there. And with Ari, the threat of death is constant. Caught in a battle of wits, it’s only a matter of time before their rivalry reaches a breaking point.
Now, Doug must make the right move because he knows only one of them can prevail. If he makes the wrong decision, it might cost him his life.
.
But nothing and no one are what they seem. And it isn’t all in his head. He’s exposed to violence, betrayal, and death, and all because of one man, Ari. Doug tries to avoid him, even changing his country, his path in life, his friends. But wherever he goes, Ari is there. And with Ari, the threat of death is constant. Caught in a battle of wits, it’s only a matter of time before their rivalry reaches a breaking point.
Now, Doug must make the right move because he knows only one of them can prevail. If he makes the wrong decision, it might cost him his life.
.
556 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2021
18 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 7, 2021
‘I was an outsider looking in where once I had been a star insider’ – a stunning saga!
Author Paul Usiskin lives in London but visits Israel often, having attended Hebrew University and completed his military service; he now is a journalist and television documentary producer. As a peace advocate he lectures in many institutions and workshops and writes about Israel and the Mid-East. He has previously published THE CHIZZIK SAGAS, a three volume political thriller series, and now presents U !?! – YOU WHAT !?! – a novel that explores the ‘idea’ behind the strange title and is a compelling tale.
Pulling the reader into the theme of the story is something that Paul accomplishes well, as he opens with a light touch of philosophy, experienced by us all: ‘Remember when you were sixteen? Did you really know who you were and where you were headed? If you were a guy, you’d already learned to brag to your friends, all guys. You said stuff, big words, great hopes, enormous dreams. Also biological stuff about girls, breast size, legs, hair, and whether they would or wouldn’t. If you were a girl you were usually bright enough to know about limits and intuitive enough to see past wild girl talk and behind guys’ bravado. And if you were in your teens in 1970s America you probably sensed that things were not OK…Your heart may have told you the future was bright, that this was your time, but your head said that it was more than a little crazy out there, and you had to be careful because you just didn’t know. If you were honest. At sixteen I had no idea. Why would I?’
And so we meet Douglas Chiswick and the guide through his life is condensed in Paul’s synopsis: ‘When absolutely nothing in your life is as it appears, and danger follows you wherever you go, what do you do? Small-town boy Doug Chiswick is catapulted into adulthood and faces the real world when he leaves home for the first time for college. But nothing and no one are what they seem. And it isn’t all in his head. He’s exposed to violence, betrayal, and death – and all because of one man – Ari. Doug tries to avoid him, even changing his country, his path in life, his friends. But wherever he goes, Ari is there. And with Ari, the threat of death is constant. Caught in a battle of wits, it’s only a matter of time before their rivalry reaches a breaking point. Now, Doug must make the right move because he knows only one of them can prevail. If he makes the wrong decision, it might cost him his life.’
A perfect blend of the path to self discovery, coming of age conflicts, and beyond, related with enough wry humor that magnetizes interest, this novel is beautifully written, a compelling drama that ignites memories in our own paths to maturation. Paul has created a memorable character, one about whom we care and will remember! Recommended
Author Paul Usiskin lives in London but visits Israel often, having attended Hebrew University and completed his military service; he now is a journalist and television documentary producer. As a peace advocate he lectures in many institutions and workshops and writes about Israel and the Mid-East. He has previously published THE CHIZZIK SAGAS, a three volume political thriller series, and now presents U !?! – YOU WHAT !?! – a novel that explores the ‘idea’ behind the strange title and is a compelling tale.
Pulling the reader into the theme of the story is something that Paul accomplishes well, as he opens with a light touch of philosophy, experienced by us all: ‘Remember when you were sixteen? Did you really know who you were and where you were headed? If you were a guy, you’d already learned to brag to your friends, all guys. You said stuff, big words, great hopes, enormous dreams. Also biological stuff about girls, breast size, legs, hair, and whether they would or wouldn’t. If you were a girl you were usually bright enough to know about limits and intuitive enough to see past wild girl talk and behind guys’ bravado. And if you were in your teens in 1970s America you probably sensed that things were not OK…Your heart may have told you the future was bright, that this was your time, but your head said that it was more than a little crazy out there, and you had to be careful because you just didn’t know. If you were honest. At sixteen I had no idea. Why would I?’
And so we meet Douglas Chiswick and the guide through his life is condensed in Paul’s synopsis: ‘When absolutely nothing in your life is as it appears, and danger follows you wherever you go, what do you do? Small-town boy Doug Chiswick is catapulted into adulthood and faces the real world when he leaves home for the first time for college. But nothing and no one are what they seem. And it isn’t all in his head. He’s exposed to violence, betrayal, and death – and all because of one man – Ari. Doug tries to avoid him, even changing his country, his path in life, his friends. But wherever he goes, Ari is there. And with Ari, the threat of death is constant. Caught in a battle of wits, it’s only a matter of time before their rivalry reaches a breaking point. Now, Doug must make the right move because he knows only one of them can prevail. If he makes the wrong decision, it might cost him his life.’
A perfect blend of the path to self discovery, coming of age conflicts, and beyond, related with enough wry humor that magnetizes interest, this novel is beautifully written, a compelling drama that ignites memories in our own paths to maturation. Paul has created a memorable character, one about whom we care and will remember! Recommended
June 1, 2022
Some of this was intriguing, but the whole middle third about Doug's time in Israel could have been deleted without much impact on the other story lines. The incongruity of this section made me wonder if the author knew what the novel was going to be about until he was well into it.
The first part of the novel is a coming-of-age novel about Doug transitioning from being at high school to being at college. He is living away from home for the first time and must sort out how much time to give to his studies and how much time to give to his social life and who he wants to spend that time with. Ari, the son of one of his father's legal clients, attends the same college but seems to be involved in some very shady incidents and drugs. Also, for the first time Doug meets Jewish people and Blacks, becomes politically aware, maintains a long-distance relationship with his high school sweetheart, and learns of his parents divorcing.
That should be enough for one novel. But then Doug finds out he's Jewish, quits college, moves to New York to find previously unknown Jewish relatives, and moves to Israel to continue his education. At this point, we are inundated with information about Judaism and serving in the Israeli military. Amazingly, at the end of this section, Ari, that shady son of one of his father's clients, shows up, and though he arrived in Israel after Doug, he leap frogs past Doug and becomes his superior officer in the military. This is a problem because Ari seems to want to ruin Doug's life, and is a drug-using, amoral, trigger-happy superior who Doug wishes to dethrone.
The last third of novel becomes a sci fi type novel where the two main characters, Doug and Ari, reveal supernatural abilities to read and control other people's minds. The FBI, the CIA, and a bunch of mind-controlled drones engage in mind battles until a huge number of people die.
I found it appalling that all of this is in the same novel. I also hated that the author described most of his characters as extremely intelligent, extremely good looking, and extremely sexually endowed. This made this far-fetched novel even more unbelievable.
The first part of the novel is a coming-of-age novel about Doug transitioning from being at high school to being at college. He is living away from home for the first time and must sort out how much time to give to his studies and how much time to give to his social life and who he wants to spend that time with. Ari, the son of one of his father's legal clients, attends the same college but seems to be involved in some very shady incidents and drugs. Also, for the first time Doug meets Jewish people and Blacks, becomes politically aware, maintains a long-distance relationship with his high school sweetheart, and learns of his parents divorcing.
That should be enough for one novel. But then Doug finds out he's Jewish, quits college, moves to New York to find previously unknown Jewish relatives, and moves to Israel to continue his education. At this point, we are inundated with information about Judaism and serving in the Israeli military. Amazingly, at the end of this section, Ari, that shady son of one of his father's clients, shows up, and though he arrived in Israel after Doug, he leap frogs past Doug and becomes his superior officer in the military. This is a problem because Ari seems to want to ruin Doug's life, and is a drug-using, amoral, trigger-happy superior who Doug wishes to dethrone.
The last third of novel becomes a sci fi type novel where the two main characters, Doug and Ari, reveal supernatural abilities to read and control other people's minds. The FBI, the CIA, and a bunch of mind-controlled drones engage in mind battles until a huge number of people die.
I found it appalling that all of this is in the same novel. I also hated that the author described most of his characters as extremely intelligent, extremely good looking, and extremely sexually endowed. This made this far-fetched novel even more unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2021
A very thought provoking read
Wow. This is a long read and well worth it. The author brings the characters and details to life. It’s about Doug’s life and the trials he goes through. His explorations and his search to find himself. Along with that is the bad guy Ari that he must defeat. A psycho that wants to destroy Doug and those he cares about.
Wow. This is a long read and well worth it. The author brings the characters and details to life. It’s about Doug’s life and the trials he goes through. His explorations and his search to find himself. Along with that is the bad guy Ari that he must defeat. A psycho that wants to destroy Doug and those he cares about.
July 5, 2022
Twisted Mind Games
Two young men meet at college in 1970 and a connection is forged that will shape their lives for the next thirty years. There is no high-octane action, but a steady escalation of suspense and plot twists that makes this book impossible to put down. It’s smart and totally absorbing.
Two young men meet at college in 1970 and a connection is forged that will shape their lives for the next thirty years. There is no high-octane action, but a steady escalation of suspense and plot twists that makes this book impossible to put down. It’s smart and totally absorbing.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews