Atria Books
A triple-a novel that lures its reader into its action, adventure and artifice while keeping her alert after their first gaffe. Along with having history, politics and religion, The Moses Expedition by Juan Gómez-Jurado, engages its reader from the very first page, an opening with a poem by Sam Keen, How To Create An Enemy. Thereafter the quest begins for the unearthing of the Ark of the Covenant! Twenty-three people, chosen strategically, journey through air, sea and desert to ensure the consequence of humanity’s future, making the reader believe that no one is coming out of this quest alive. This is a fast paced read circling round to a calm, final request from Gómez-Jurado, which is to reread the poem at the start.
Alternating chapters between setting the narrative, introducing characters, positioning back-story, and including brief flashfowards, Gómez-Jurado appears to utilize this non-linear writing style to keep the reader engaged and on her toes. The technique works well and definitely makes for an intriguing mystery.
The Moses Expedition is an entertaining and light read. The reader will enjoy the ride and perhaps even be prompted to learn more about the historical events and characters employed within. A recommended read.
I include the poem by Sam Keen, How To Create An Enemy, as I believe it is of unique interest to the novel and its author.
About the Author
Juan Gómez-Jurado is an award-winning journalist. The Moses Expedition and his prizewinning first novel, God’s Spy, have been published in more than forty countries and have become international bestsellers. He is a recipient of the prestigious Premio de Novela Ciudad de Torrevieja.
The Moses Expedition, A Novel
By Juan Gómez-Jurado
Atria Books
August 2010
ISBN: 9781416590644
Hardcover, 372 pages, $24.99
How To Create An Enemy by Sam Keen
Start with an empty canvas.
Sketch in broad outline the forms of
men, women, and children.
Dip into the unconsciousness well of your own
disowned darkness
with a wide brush and strain the strangers
with the sinister hue of the shadow.
Trace onto the face of the enemy the greed,
Hatred, carelessness you dare not claim as your own.
Obscure the sweet individuality of each face.
Erase all hints of the myriad loves, hopes,
fears that play through the kaleidoscope of
every infinite heart.
Twist the smile until it forms the downward
arc of cruelty.
Strip flesh from bone until only the
abstract skeleton of death remains.
Exaggerate each feature until man is
metamorphasized into beast, vermin, insect.
Fill in the background with malignant
figures from ancient nightmares – devils,
demons, myrmidons of evil.
When your icon of the enemy is complete
you will be able to kill without guilt,
slaughter without shame.
The thing you destroy will have become
merely an enemy of God, an impediment
to the sacred dialectic of history.