My Father’s Gift

The Eagle And The Child by S.Khubiar is a contemporary political thriller that marries political espionage with an ordinary life. It is an epic read that will have you chewing your finger nails and your emotions ebbing and flowing.

The novel is about identity. Who are we? The leading lady is a complex mix of incredibly strong and unbelievably vulnerable. Her strength of body lies with her strength of mind. Her vulnerability is what endears her to the reader.

There are many instances of racism and prejudice within the novel. People receive racial slurs merely because of their looks. We need to be “seeing others as human beings, not objects.”

The mob reaction is frightening. People get whipped up into a frenzy of hate by others, and carried along with the mob. The novel shows “it’s never okay to target someone for being Jewish or Asian or Black or Arab.” There is just one race – the human race.

Judaism is a focus within the novel. The reader is educated in the Jewish way of life and the role of women.

Anti Semitism raises its head within the novel. “Anti-semitism is a human disease with no known cure.” It happens because of ignorance and intolerance by others. We must see beyond looks and appearance. We must see people.

Political espionage takes up a huge chunk of the story. The reader ‘experiences’ the Arab/Israeli conflict, homeland security, brutal assassinations and torture. It does not make for comfortable reading.

In contrast we see that even assassins have a peaceful homemaker side. They are a complex mix of character.

God is a God of restoration and miracles. His miraculous powers bring a lump to the reader’s throat.

Prayer is important. There are prayers in both English and Hebrew throughout. Sometimes all we can do is “pray… it’s the only thing we have left.”

The Eagle And The Child was a huge read, full of small details enabling the reader to get to know the main character intimately. It is both exciting and horrifying. It took me a while to get into the novel but I was glad I stuck with it as the end was definitely heart and pulse racing action.

An epic read.

I received this book for free from The Book Gobbler. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

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