Elizabeth Tai

I finished this book in two days - Mosab's life (of terrorists, political intrigue and special intelligence - is really something out of a thriller, and this memoir is written the same way a thriller novel would've been written: tightly paced, exciting Hamas/espionage operations etc. Son of Hamas gives you an insightful look at the inner workings of Hamas, and you can't help but wonder at the insanity hatred creates between two societies unwilling to forgive.

The only problem I have with this book is that I have a hard time really getting on Mosab's side. Mosab doesn't really explain - at least not adequately to me - why he decided to work for Israeli intelligence. I couldn't shake off the feeling that he may have been suffering from Stockholm's Syndrome when he capitulated. After all, after the brutality of his prison living conditions, he was amazed that the Israeli agents treated him like a human being. He paints his Israeli intelligence colleagues in a very favourable light, which makes me a tad suspicious too. I just can't shake off the feeling that the agents were far more interested in using him and his connections than regarding him as a friend. It doesn't help that he reveals that they pay he so well that he could afford a sports car.

All this, of course, makes me question Mosab's true motivations. It is therefore inevitable that some would accuse him of being a traitor (who not only betrayed his people, but his family) and of being opportunistic.

But perhaps Mosab isn't interested in getting us on his side. Why would a man jeapordise his life, alienate his people and family, by coming out this way? But I agree wholeheartedly about his assessment about the peace in the Middle East. The only way it could be achieved is if they embraced Jesus' teachings on forgiveness (he became a Christian later): Love your enemies.

I like this book because it's about two very flawed people who messed up their marriage but still found a way towards each other despite it. Bryony was infuriatingly unlikeable and stubborn at the beginning, but after you find out Leo's Great Sin I totally get it. Some readers are turned off by the revelation, deeming him irredeemable, but in my opinion Leo was very typical of men during that age. Not that it made it OK - he's still a big dope - but I get why he did what he did.

Both of us characters are complex and flawed, and the redemption of their marriage was touching and thrilling to read.