Qb VII: A Novel

All Leon Uris novels are 5 star masterpieces, and QB VII is no exception. Uris is one of the best authors in the historical fiction genre. QBVII, like many of his other novels, deals with recent Jewish history, such as Israel and the Holocaust. Uris masterfully combines fictional characters with real historical figures, and it is, at times, difficult to tell the difference. I frequently find myself checking Wikipedia to see if a person or place really exists or existed. This novel recounts a fictional libel trial in England, where a Polish surgeon (Dr. Adam Kelno) sues a fictional author, Abraham Cady for libel, because of the latter's mention of the former as a prisoner/physician collaborating with the Nazis in horrendous experimental surgeries at the infamous (fictional) Jadwiga concentration camp during World War II. in his popular book, "The Holocaust." As the trial proceeds, the reader finds himself sympathizing with the defendant's case, as more and more witnesses testify to the brutality, Nazi collaboration, and anti-Semitism of Dr. Kelno. SPOILER ALERT! The novel ends with a judgement for Dr. Kelno, but damages awarded only for the lowest valued English currency, one half-penny. This result left me a bit confused, since it implies that Dr. Kelno's reputation was indeed libeled, but that his reputation wasn't worth very much in the first place, presumably because he was actually guilty of the allegations made against him. If this was indeed the case, then why the judgement in favor of the plaintiff, (Dr. Kelno)? This judgement, under British law, obligates the losing party (author Abraham Cady) to pay the legal expenses of the the plaintiff, Dr. Kelno. This is the real penalty, since these expenses far exceed the mere half-penny awarded to Dr.Kelno. In short, this is a masterpiece that is well worth your time, especially if you are interested in the Holocaust. This novel, like all historical fiction, is based on a real event: the author's experience being sued for libel based on this negatively writing about a still living (at the time) physician who allegedly cooperated with the Nazis in medical atrocities. This is the third Leon Uris novel that I have read (in addition to Exodus and The Haj). All are highly recommended.

This is another great Leon Uris book. I'm not a heavy duty reader, but it is really noticeable how excellent his writing is in comparison to many other writers. It spoils you for books that are pretty average in writing skills. I am actually not through with this but almost. You learn a lot about the two main characters and grow to like them and hope that there is a solution in the end that allows them both to be guiltless. It is a good educational book for those who do not know much about the holocaust and I would hope they would be taught about it in school. I have read many autobiographies and biographies about the holocaust and I never cease to be amazed that the Germans were able to do such horrendous things. Either do them or look the other way. You think of the western world as civilized. But we should be wary as it can happen again and is happening as we speak with the rise of Muslim extremism, etc. Also, we in the US should be careful that with all the political polarization that is happening we do not let the powers that be become too powerful. I put some violence because it describes what is done to the Jewish victims by the German and other doctors in the camps during the war. It could be graphic though as it is hard to read about this.

A really good fictional story with elements of suspense and drama. A lot of the action occurs in the courtroom. This reads like a true story from the Holocaust and I believe is very similar in plot to some of the actual atrocities that occurred. I'm surprised this was never made into a movie as it could have been an excellent.

This is the first serious or important book I've read since I started on Kindle. I've mostly been reading books to divert me such as thrillers, mysteries and horror. All of my serious reading was done years ago. So I feel a bit daunted in reviewing this book. In the Siskel and Ebert styles of review, I'll play the Ebert role and give an "everyman" review, rather than purporting to be an expert in the art of writing. I simply loved this book. The only other Uris book I read was "Exodus" and that was many years ago. This feels just as good a book. Some people may be put off by the exposition of the story in three parts - one man's story, the other man's story, then the trial which takes up the second half of the book. I loved it all. The characters did not feel two dimensional to me and when I got to the trial, I was riveted to my Kindle. As a Jew who lost family in the Holocaust, I feel that this is an important book, well-told and another one of those stories that reminds us of a part of our history that we should never forget. If the subject matter is one that interests you, read this book. You won't be sorry. A minor point - Kindle folks, keep Otto Flensberg's name consistent, and not Otto Hensberg.

小学生の頃、本書を原作とするTVドラマを見たのがホロコーストを知るきっかけでした。 何の予備知識もない子供が、それでも引き込まれるほどスリリングで重厚なドラマだったと記憶しています。 なぜかDVD化されていませんが。残念。 QB7 とは The Queen's Bench Courtroom No.7、英国王立裁判所第7号法廷です。 そこで争われる名誉棄損訴訟、原告は叙勲もされた高名な医師 Adam Kelno、 被告はその著書で彼のユダヤ人強制収容所での非人道行為を告発した作家 Abraham Cady、 前半は第二次世界大戦直後の欧米の世相を背景に、そこに至る二人の過去が 後半は裁判での二人の対決と複雑に交錯する周囲の思惑が描き出されていきます。 初出は50年近く前、ヨーロッパの至る所でまだ大戦の傷が癒えず、 ユダヤ人移民によって築かれたイスラエル国家が国内外で激しい紛争を繰り広げていた時代です。 そんな時に出版された本書が引き起こした当時のセンセーションは想像に難くなく、 世紀が変わった現在でも、人間性とは何かというテーマは重い意味を持ち続けています。 Kelno が強制収容所でユダヤ人にしていたこと、Cady の Kelno に対する断罪は いわば神のみが権利を持つとも言える行為であり、二人が迎える裁判の決着と運命の皮肉は 人間社会の裁定であると同時に天の裁きでもあるように思えてなりません。 文体と筋立てはやはり少々古臭く感じますが、読み応えは保証します。

This book is so sad and moving. Given what is currently happening in Israel, it seems nothing has changed. There is a YouTube movie of this, poor quality, but nonetheless worth watching. Having visited Auschwitz Birkenau camp, I can see how this could have happened. "The only thing worse than what happened to the Jews there, would be to forget that it happened!"

If anyone asks me to recommend a good book, I always mention this one. Basic story - A top surgeon working in the UK is accused of involvement in Nazi concentration camps, and sets out to clear his name. But is he really as innocent as he claims? Some parts are a little dated, and other parts are not for the squeamish, but it's a great book. Recommended.

A great book about the atrocities committed in ww2 concentration camps and how they played out decades later.

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