I remember Leon Uris as a very good novelist. His Mila18 in the early sixties introduced me to the horrors of Nazi anti-semitism. Although I forgot the story line years ago, the general viewpoint Uris provided has colored my attitudes ever since. I don't recall reading any other Uris novels until a few weeks ago when I picked up Topaz. I first thought I was simply getting a fictionalized version of the Cuban missile crisis. I was okay with that, but I was generally familiar with the circumstances. Things changed when I was well into the book and realized that the major plot involves Soviet infiltration of the French intelligence community. That was fascinating. I knew that the Soviets significantly infiltrated US and, especially, UK intelligence, but I totally missed the fact that France was significantly targeted as well. Topaz' premise is that Soviet-generated disinformation was a major factor in the development of French antipathy toward the US during the sixties. Without some real evidence, I can't accept this. There were certainly other causal factors. France's failure to fight Germany to the death in 1940 caused the British and some Americans to consider France a conquered enemy in 1944 and 1945 and there were plans to treat the Nation accordingly. This probably fueled some continued French resentment. Add to this the US pressure to resist the Viet Minh and memories of how slow the UK and US were to come to French aid in the two world wars. Charles de Gaulle certainly had reason to fear he might be left standing alone against the USSR. Topaz did not impact my thinking the way Mila 18 did, but it really was a good, although dated, story. I found that all the major characters had real life counterparts. I recommend it to anyone who might enjoy a spy story set in the sixties, written from a Cold War perspective.
A spy novel that is neither Ian Fleming nor Le Carre. I was about a third of the way through before realizing this had been made into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock. Written in the sixties & set during 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis with flashbacks to WW II. It made me realize that they were closer in time to WW II than we are today to the Vietnam War, Thus, it acted as a time machine for me to the attitudes & concerns of the time. There are a couple of things setting it apart. It's told mainly from a French perspective amidst the turmoil that was going on between France & it's supposed ally the U.S. The missile crisis is but a backdrop for the complex array of international characters & their equally complex personalities. It is also a deeply personal story & journey forged & sometimes destroyed by the Intelligence communities on both sides of the Iron Curtain. It is a world of grey not black & white. Quite intriguing I intend on checking out other Leon Uris books.
Great novelIt's been a long time since I've read any of Uris's books. I don't know why I stopped. This one is really good. It seems so real and so believable that I wonder if he isn't the author mentioned at the end? He really does a masterful job with all of the characters. I can still remember that evening when Kennedy spoke to the nation. I was in junior high school and my best friend called worried that we were going to war and that this might be our last chance to talk. She scared the carp out of me. That made this novel feel so realistic.
—Sue Kraft
Mr. Uris is an excellent author. I read this book several years ago, and technique, mechanics, grammar were excellent. His earlier books are better than the later books, in my opinion. Still, I am sorry that he is not alive to write more books.Mr. Uris is one author that I read and re-read. Louisa May Alcott being the other. He has such great ability to address hot spot topics. The troubles in Ireland, mental illness, the homeless Jews, TVA are but a few. My favorite Uris book is THE HAJ. The book is tragic and funny and so pertinent and timely. It tells the story from both sides. I do not think Mr. Uris is given all the credit he is due, which is a shame. Young readers may not know about him or may have read one of his latest books, were not taken with him and did not read his earlier work. I use every chance I have to point readers in his direction. He has offered clarity on a variety of issues making me more open minded.Finished re-read this am. As always, I am in awe of Mr. Uris' talent.
—Linda
This novel focuses on French-American relations leading up to the Cuban missile crisis. The details describing intelligence gathering were interesting, but this novel shows its age and feels very dated in a number of ways. Portrayals of females and male-female relationships are male fantasies. The women live to please men. The book is also very "Rah, rah America" to the point of being jingoistic, especially in Uris's portrayal of some of the foreign characters. For instance, the Russian defector's wife and daughter are homely, but suddenly become beautiful to the Russian after they are Westernized (they get make-overs).
—Janice
