Exile

By: Richard North Patterson

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 20 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

From one of America's most compelling novelists comes the mesmerizing story of a lawyer who must defend the woman he loves against a charge of conspiring to assassinate the prime minister of Israel

David Wolfe's life is approaching an exhilarating peak: he's a successful San Francisco lawyer, he's about to get married, and he's being primed for a run for Congress. But when the phone rings and he hears the voice of Hana Arif—the Palestinian woman with whom he had a secret affair in law school—he begins a completely unexpected journey. The next day, the prime minister of Israel is assassinated by a suicide bomber while visiting San Francisco; soon, Hana herself is accused of being the mastermind behind the murder. Now David faces an agonizing choice: Will he, a Jew, represent Hana—who may well be guilty—or will he turn away the one woman he can never forget?

The most challenging case of David's career requires that he delve deep into the lives of Hana Arif and her militant Palestinian husband, both of whom have always lived in exile. Ultimately, David's quest takes him to Israel and the West Bank, where, in a series of harrowing encounters, he learns that appearances are not at all what they seem.

Culminating in a tense and startling trial with international ramifications, Exile is that rare novel that both entertains and enlightens. At once an intricate tale of betrayal and deception, a moving love story, and a fascinating journey into the lethal politics of the Middle East, this is Richard North Patterson at his most brilliant and engrossing.

©2007 Richard North Patterson. All rights reserved (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

"Action abounds, culminating in courtroom drama." (Booklist)

"Exile is a novel worth reading by anyone who is trying to understand, at least in part, one of the Middle East's political nightmares....Through his artful writing, Patterson presents compelling arguments for both sides while avoiding a preachy tone - a pitfall a lesser writer easily could succumb to." (USA Today)

riveting and relevant

This was important politically and historically. I is also a powerful commentary on the human condition embedded in a compelling story.

Finally a real book...

I've listened and read so many "little" books recently that a well researched, actual novel was a welcome relief. Recent books by James Patterson and Jack Higgins seemed as though they had a week-end to kill so why not write a book. Running almost 20 hours, EXILE kept me interested for the entire time.

Exile

This is an excellent "read"...one learns so much about the middle east problems in a novel setting that is both informative and exciting at the same time...loved it!

Exile

Great book and terrific insight into both the Palestinian and Israeli points of view. Also, would recommend President Carters recent book - Palestine.

Absorbing Legal/Political Mystery Thriller

This well researched novel is intricately wound up with the complexity and tragedy of Israeli/Palestinian geo-politics wound around a mystery/courtroom drama. Well developed, complex characters struggle with their history, heritage, and religious identities. A very balanced analysis of how there are only victims and losers in the mid-east conflict, and how radical elements, while a minority, are able to keep the moderate majority on both sides from achieving a peaceful two state solution. The history of the Jews as a people dispossessed, vilified and victims of anti-Semitism for thousands of years is juxtaposed with the history of Palestinians who have been dispossessed, humiliated and refugees for the past 60 years.
The struglle of the lead character, San Francisco attorney David Wolf, to deal with his personal inner conficts as a cultural, but not spiritual Jew, while defending a Palestinian woman accused of conspiring to assasinate the Prime Minister of Israel is fascinating, as is the portrayal of the courtroom drama, including a behind the scenes look into judge's chambers.
Those who enjoy John Grisham, Scott Turow, etc., and also enjoy contemporary politics will enjoy this book.

Interesting but Drags

This is a great story, and it really helps to understand the Israeli-Palestenian conflict. Unfortunately, in his effort to tell all sides of the story, the author gets long-winded and the novel drages for several hours. Instead of increasing suspense, I felt increasing exasperation and couldn't wait for the ending. It's too bad because it's a great expose of the middle east situation. The narrator does a good job.

A Great Read...

This book is great. Well written all the way through. I thought I had some points figured out realitively early but I wanted to be certain. Even though this is a fiction book, the informative parts impressed me, making me want to study more these people. It was long but I couldn't leave it alone until the end. The interview at the end was good also...Great job Audible and Richard North Patterson.

Good listening

Does a great job of describing the circular nature of the Middle East conflict. Each party has excuses for why it does would it does.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book

This book kept a good pace and provided a lot of emotion and intrigue. The story has many sub-plots on a historic topic that most of the world is aware of but not very knowledgable about. It kept me wanting to hear more.

Excellent

An Excellent read. I wish there was a sequel. Dennis Boutiskaris is a great narrator.