The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne
I picked this book up on Clearance at Chapters for $6.99. Whenever you pick up a book on clearance you take a chance. Surely there's a reason that this book is marked down. This book went above and beyond my wildest expectations. It was quite honestly the best book that I've read in a long time. Through the many twists and turns this book kept me up late night after night. Friday night I read until 12:30 am and decided to call it quits for the night; only to lie in bed for a minute and get up to finish the book as I just couldn't wait until the next day to find out what happened.
Excerpt from the cover.
"Two murders at opposite ends of America, one in the backstreets of New York, the other in the backwoods of Montana. A series of killings in every corner of the globe, from the crowded slums of India to the pristine beaches of Cape Town. There can't possibly be a connection.
That's the instinct of Will Monroe, a young, British-born reporter on the New York Times - until the morning his beautiful wife, Beth, is kidnapped. Holding her are men who seem ready to kill without hesitation.
Desperate, Will follows a trail that leads to a mysterious sect right on his own doorstep - fervent followers of one of mankind's oldest faiths. He will have to break through multiple layers of mythicism and ancient prophecy, unearthing riddles buried deep in the Bible - until he finds the secret that is said to have animated the world for thousands of years, a secret on which the fate of humanity may depend. But with more murders by the hour, and each clue wrapped in layers of code time is running out... "
That's the instinct of Will Monroe, a young, British-born reporter on the New York Times - until the morning his beautiful wife, Beth, is kidnapped. Holding her are men who seem ready to kill without hesitation.
Desperate, Will follows a trail that leads to a mysterious sect right on his own doorstep - fervent followers of one of mankind's oldest faiths. He will have to break through multiple layers of mythicism and ancient prophecy, unearthing riddles buried deep in the Bible - until he finds the secret that is said to have animated the world for thousands of years, a secret on which the fate of humanity may depend. But with more murders by the hour, and each clue wrapped in layers of code time is running out... "
While this book is fiction it is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. The lamad vav (The Righteous Men) are taken directly from Jewish folklore. The Author Sam Bourne delves deeply into the Jewish world of traditions and gives us all an insight into a culture that many of us are unfamiliar with. This book has opened my eyes up to a religion that I have never sat down and studied. Bourne has taken an ancient legend and brought it into our generation. I love it!
The characters are memorable and easy to connect to. I particularly love the character TC (Will Monroe's ex) who is helping to decode the mystery surrounding Beth's disappearance. There is an amazing huge twist in chapter 41 that will floor you. (I don't want to tell you too much as I want you to be as surprised as I was.)
One of the most fascinating parts of the book in the folklore behind the lamad vav (The Righteous Men). I love the thought that there are 36 people in the world who are good beyond all belief. They are hidden and do their great deeds in secret so as not to draw attention to themselves. Some of them are sinners, some of them are regular men, some of them are well off. But they all do remarkable things for others without thinking about it. The world sure would be a lot better off if there were more people who put the thoughts and feelings and well being of others before their own selves.
The theory is that at any given time there are 36 Righteous Men spread across the world, when one dies another comes to be. However, a loop-hole (of sorts) has been found enabling all 36 Righteous Men to be murdered. A race against the clock ensues to prevent all 36 Righteous Men from being wiped out and the inevitable end of the world.
This book while completely on the other end of the spectrum from Jeannette Walls 'The Glass Castle' still has the same feel good vibes about it. I felt positive about the human race after reading this book. I am intrigued by the culture of the Hasidic Community of Crown Heights and will be doing more research about the community, the folklore and traditions of their people. A definite must read if you're in the market for a new book.
The characters are memorable and easy to connect to. I particularly love the character TC (Will Monroe's ex) who is helping to decode the mystery surrounding Beth's disappearance. There is an amazing huge twist in chapter 41 that will floor you. (I don't want to tell you too much as I want you to be as surprised as I was.)
One of the most fascinating parts of the book in the folklore behind the lamad vav (The Righteous Men). I love the thought that there are 36 people in the world who are good beyond all belief. They are hidden and do their great deeds in secret so as not to draw attention to themselves. Some of them are sinners, some of them are regular men, some of them are well off. But they all do remarkable things for others without thinking about it. The world sure would be a lot better off if there were more people who put the thoughts and feelings and well being of others before their own selves.
The theory is that at any given time there are 36 Righteous Men spread across the world, when one dies another comes to be. However, a loop-hole (of sorts) has been found enabling all 36 Righteous Men to be murdered. A race against the clock ensues to prevent all 36 Righteous Men from being wiped out and the inevitable end of the world.
This book while completely on the other end of the spectrum from Jeannette Walls 'The Glass Castle' still has the same feel good vibes about it. I felt positive about the human race after reading this book. I am intrigued by the culture of the Hasidic Community of Crown Heights and will be doing more research about the community, the folklore and traditions of their people. A definite must read if you're in the market for a new book.
1 comments:
sounds interesting. also wanted to thank you for the bow, it came today.......
Gill
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