Daniel Silva and his Mossad spy ring are always my favorite summer read. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and an excruciatingly long wait list at the library, summer slipped by and it wasn't until recently I was able to have my annual Gabriel fix . During the wait, I noticed a lot of conversation (never read any reviews until last night) and was surprised and befuddled at the low ratings and extremely controversial comments.
I admit, this is not a "normal" Gabriel Allon story. Die-hard fans say it is more of a murder mystery, then the fast paced thriller that Silva is known for. Readers are saying that Silva should keep his thoughts on Catholicism and Jewish relations to himself. Mr. Silva has never hidden his deep faith, and for that matter Gabriel's faith has never been in question. Just for full disclosure here, I am not Jewish. Raised in the Catholic Church, I walked away many years ago for the same reason many others did-the sexual abuse perpetuated by the same men who claim to have been called by Jesus to lead his flock. I digress.
I would like to mention that this is Silva's 20th book that features Gabriel. Some authors never age their characters-Silva has chosen to age his. Just as we all have gotten older and less capable at certain things, so has Gabriel. For me, it would be unrealistic to have this man, of what 55?, maybe older, prancing around like a young whipper-snapper. IMHO, Gabriel has aged gracefully and it is time for him to take a step back. OH! not be gone from the series, but act his age. I believe that Silva is grooming Makhail, another of my favorites, to step up as Gabriel steps back.
I have rated this book 3 1/2 stars-rounding up on Goodreads scale. Mr Silva has given me years of enjoyment with this series and although this was not one of my personal favorites, it deserves to be judged on the writing, the research and the believability of the story. It passes the grade with me.
Daniel Silva and his Mossad spy ring are always my favorite summer read. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and an excruciatingly long wait list at the library, summer slipped by and it wasn't until recently I was able to have my annual Gabriel fix . During the wait, I noticed a lot of conversation (never read any reviews until last night) and was surprised and befuddled at the low ratings and extremely controversial comments.
I admit, this is not a "normal" Gabriel Allon story. Die-hard fans say it is more of a murder mystery, then the fast paced thriller that Silva is known for. Readers are saying that Silva should keep his thoughts on Catholicism and Jewish relations to himself. Mr. Silva has never hidden his deep faith, and for that matter Gabriel's faith has never been in question. Just for full disclosure here, I am not Jewish. Raised in the Catholic Church, I walked away many years ago for the same reason many others did-the sexual abuse perpetuated by the same men who claim to have been called by Jesus to lead his flock. I digress.
I would like to mention that this is Silva's 20th book that features Gabriel. Some authors never age their characters-Silva has chosen to age his. Just as we all have gotten older and less capable at certain things, so has Gabriel. For me, it would be unrealistic to have this man, of what 55?, maybe older, prancing around like a young whipper-snapper. IMHO, Gabriel has aged gracefully and it is time for him to take a step back. OH! not be gone from the series, but act his age. I believe that Silva is grooming Makhail, another of my favorites, to step up as Gabriel steps back.
I have rated this book 3 1/2 stars-rounding up on Goodreads scale. Mr Silva has given me years of enjoyment with this series and although this was not one of my personal favorites, it deserves to be judged on the writing, the research and the believability of the story. It passes the grade with me.