Vicious Circle

A Novel of Complicity

By: Robert Littell

Narrated by: Scott Brick

An Israeli government minister is assassinated in the home of his mistress. Days later, a Mossad officer leads his final raid, killing a Hamas leader in his bed and barely escaping with his life.

The action moves into the near future, when world leaders, united under the leadership of a visionary female president of the United States, broker a major compromise between Israel and the Palestinian authority. Their hope is to snuff out the violent flashpoint that fuels global terrorism. It seems to work until a well-known fundamentalist rabbi is taken hostage by a legendary Palestinian terrorist.

Ferociously suspenseful, Vicious Circle brilliantly dissects an entire culture of violence and the corrupted consciences that embody it.

©2006 Robert Littell (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Littell's is one of the most talented, most original voices in American fiction today, period." (The Washington Post)
"Littell's latest brainy thriller probes very near the heart of the time-worn conflict over a land made and kept holy through regular libations of martyrs' blood....Must reading for fans of high-end thrillers." (Booklist)

Entertaining

I enjoy Robert Little. The books are high on knowledge. This one I predicted the end, it could only be one end I thought. With the protagonists, having each a name of Abraham's sons.

A very good book

I have read all the other audible selections from this great author, so it was logical to give this one a try. Only problem was that it had several negative reviews about being anti-Jewish. I am an American of the Jewish faith so I was expecting the worst. Instead this was another great novel showing both sides of the picture. It moved fast and was entertaining throughout.

Thoughtful

I too was puzzled by the previous reviews which characterized this work as anti-Jewish. I can see how such conclusions could be reached, but only by those who might be seeking such conclusions. For example, the speech given by the adviser to the President at the Harvard Jewish group I thought could have been tempered. But still, it seemed to me to be more of an indictment against uninformed intellectuals than the Jewish people.

Also, it was a bit strange that the premise of the book pitted a Jewish extremist group against a Palestinian (Islamic)extremist group. While there are some Jewish, terroristic, extremist groups they are minute in comparison to the extremism on the Palestinian side.

For these reasons, I can see how could some could see it as anti-Jewish. But overall, I did not come to that conclusion. What I enjoy about Littell is the extended philosophical dialogue between characters. And Scott Brick does an excellent job in narrating this. If you listen to these dialogues, it should be clear that the tone of the book is not anti-Jewish.

But, perhaps, the flaw is that it seems to place the blame equally on both sides. The fact is that when the Israelis cease their operations in Palestinian controlled territories, the attacks from Palestinians continue. This undermines the very title of the book, "Vicious Circle" which intimates that it is a tit for tat which perpetuates the violence. This could also be a reason some see it as anti-Jewish.

But, I think, there is enough "tit for tat" in the conflict to support the premise of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue and action throughout. It was a very good listen.

I loved, "The Company," and was not dissatisfied after listening to "Vicious Circle." "The Company" still remains my favorite, but I do recommend this work to all who enjoy intrigue with thoughtful dialogue.

one of the best

one of the best books I've read in a long time. If you want to learn more about the conflict in the middle east, and are curious as to why it cannot stop, then this book will educate you while educating you.

Only my second litters book- very good

I really liked this book- great story - totally unexpected ending- got to have more - YES