Here is a remarkable book about the struggle for land and vindication in the disputed Holy Land. The Israelis and Palestinians are both presented extremely fairly, and with no writer's slant in either direction. While slightly dated (the fictional President of the US is a woman, unnamed but having followed GW Bush - a clear characterization of Hilary Clinton; the description of Arafat's death is different than what actually happened after the book was written; Hamas is not portrayed, and the PLO is a continuing force, etc.), the essential truths of what the whole conflict is about, and has been about, is true still today. The zealotry of the few overshadows the reason of the many, just as in real life.
The book revolves around the relationship - which I will not describe, so as not to spoil the book for anyone - between a prominent, if somewhat radical, Jewish Rabbi, and an equally radical Muslim fringe group leader. Where their lives intersect is a very different place from where the narrative leads them.
Though a part of the conclusion was inevitable, I found myself rooting for what is probably the "wrong" side. Littell's story serves the very valuable purpose of helping the reader see both sides of the problem of Jerusalem, the Gaza, and all of the disputed territory. In fact, I double-checked some of the historical background, and it is truly interesting how much the Jewish world, and the Arab world have in common. Their history, dating back to Old Testament times and beyond, comes from the same roots. The beliefs - secular and non - are fundamentally so similar that it is both intriguing and tragic that the divide is so wide.
One of Littell's most serious works, I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates history, the centuries-long saga of the Middle East, or even simply the expert telling of a very interesting story.