http://www.americanthinker.com/
July 19, 2011
The first few chapters explore the potential terrorist strategy: multiple suicide bombings, with conventional weapons, that take place in different European cities, for the purpose of creating fear. Paris was chosen because the facial veil was banned; Copenhagen because of the cartoons depicting Mohammed; and London because it has become an easy target. The novel is based on reality: former CIA Director Michael Hayden remarked to American Thinker that the new terrorist strategy will be "less sophisticated, less well organized, less likely to be lethal, if they do succeed, more numerous."
In this book the characters definitely drive the plot. The main male character in Silva's last eleven novels is Gabriel Allon, named after the Archangel. He is a semi-retired Israeli operative that works closely with the American and British intelligence with a cover as an art restorer. This character is extremely well-developed and becomes a very likable figure through the understanding of his desires, fears, and apprehensions. On the surface the reader might think that an operative and art restorer are not compatible. However, Silva artfully combines the two by explaining in the book that Allon "believed it was the duty of a restorer to come and go without being seen, leaving no evidence of his presence ... standing before the easel, he had total control."
The main female character is a moderate Muslim, Nadia al-Bakari, who steps up to the plate to ensure that the extremists do not prevail. Silva explained that he created this character based on the "influence of the Christ story and pulled a lot from the Biblical text. I wanted to make her a Christ-like figure." Terrorism was only a backdrop in this plot, with the main story focusing on a very brave, courageous woman who wants to change the Islamic world. She is recruited by Allon as an operative to help bring down a Yemen Al Qaeda-like network led by an American cleric.
Anyone who is skeptical about Nadia's ability to change the landscape must think back to the 1990s where the Protestant and Catholic women took charge to forge a peace in Northern Ireland. The theme of the book is that change must come but it will come only from within the Islamic world, which is what Nadia represents. She is a moderating influence, a reformer, who is disgusted that Islamic women are denied basic human rights. Silva explained, "Women of the Arab Islamic world are the key to change since they represent more than half of the population. Yet, they sit on the sidelines, living under the veil." He hammered the point home by this quote in the book: "Nadia al-Bakari, one of the world's richest women, would have the rights of a camel. Fewer, she thought resentfully, for even a camel was permitted to show its face in public."
Anyone disgusted with the biased media will find Zoe Reed an interesting character. She is described in the book as an "orthodox left-wing journalist" who combats her core values with the realism of the world. Silva in a statement made by Allon, points out that being politically correct comes at a price: "Do you still think we should fight these monsters in ways that don't compromise your core values? Or would you like to return briefly to the real world and help us save innocent lives?"
The antagonist, an American cleric living in Yemen, Rashid al-Husseini, sounds very similar to Anwar al-Awlaki. Silva told American Thinker that he wanted his character to resemble the real Yemen cleric, al-Awlaki, who was "preaching in a Mosque five miles from my house. I looked at the record and in my mind there is no question that this guy was connected to 9/11. After 9/11 he was the voice of moderation and now he is this raging lunatic. I am sorry but I don't believe it; he was always like that and was lying to us earlier."
Furthermore, in this novel Rashid was being supported with Saudi money and the double game of Saudi intelligence that appears to be combating the jihadists while at the same time supporting them. When asked about the Saudi attitude, Silva replied that people should have "no illusions about Saudi Arabia. It is a classic straddling state just like Pakistan, but not quite as extreme. Saudi Arabia remains an ATM machine [sic] for Islamic extremists. A lot of money continues to flow to various strains of Islamic extremism. Its amazing to me that they view it as having no choice." A former operative thinks the problem, as mentioned in the novel, is with Saudi individual donors who give charity to dirty organizations. Fran Townsend, President Bush's Homeland Security Advisor, who was referred to in this book, commented to American Thinker that "the Saudi Government has made progress in the area of terrorist financing, with the help of the US Treasury Department, but there still remains a good deal of progress which has yet to be achieved."
Since Silva's main character is an Israeli operative, did he delve into another issue -- the US-Israel relationship? He responded that in the novel he tried to show that the relationship is very good between the two countries at the intelligence and military level, unlike the relationship at the political level. His sources, senior Israeli officials, emphasized that "Israeli and American intelligence really do operate quite closely together, which was brought about by President George W. Bush who really broke down the barriers of mistrust. He made it possible for the Israelis and Americans to operate jointly together."
His next novel will still have Allon and many of the same cast of characters. Unfortunately, Silva fans will have to wait a whole year to find out Gabriel Allon's new assignment. Silva gave a hint to American Thinker: "I have a great idea and I am very excited about it. I just got back from a three week trip to Italy and Israel, spending a great deal of time inside the Vatican."
Daniel Silva's latest novel, Portrait of a Spy, is a like a fine wine that should be savored to absorb all the details. It explores a lot of current issues through the well-developed character's eyes. Silva wanted the reader to get a sense of hope, "sticking a knife in the laps of the beasts to change the world. This novel is a play on real martyrdom as opposed to this crazy idea that you blow people up and you are considered a martyr. Playing off the famous Jihadist quote, Nadia believed in life, not death and destruction," which is exactly what this book portrays.
Gabriel Allon fights 'a forever war' in Daniel Silva's 'Portrait of a Spy'
By Carol Thomas
http://www.examiner.com/
July 17, 2011
Gabriel Allon, who has spent much of his life as an agent for Israel’s Mossad, has announced his retirement from the spy game, intending to live a peaceful life in Cornwall pursing his profession as an art restorer. A suicide bomber who targets London’s Covent Garden alters that decision.
Aware of two deadly bombings that have already cost innocent lives in Paris and Copenhagen, Gabriel tries to stop a similar act in London. His heroic attempt fails, though, when police officers prevent him from shooting the terrorist.
Gabriel’s guilt over the subsequent tragedy makes him all the more susceptible to pleas from Ari Shamron, the legendary leader of Israeli Intelligence, to take on a new assignment in Washington. The CIA wants Gabriel to locate and eliminate Rashid al-Husseini, an American-born cleric living in Yemen who is considered the mastermind behind the recent attacks.
To succeed in this mission, Gabriel enlists an unlikely recruit to his cause. Nadia al-Bakari is the daughter of a Muslim extremist whom, years earlier, Gabriel had killed. Nadia, though, is more moderate in her own political beliefs. She has also inherited her father’s fortune and has added to it through her own financial skill.
Nadia’s wealth is pivotal to the plan Gabriel devises to locate Rashid. He wants Nadia to convince her father’s former associates that she is willing to continue his funding for their cause. Gabriel will then track the flow of money to its ultimate destination – which he is certain will be Rashid.
Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon series differs significantly from other espionage novels in its insistence on showing the life of the spy as one of detailed planning and calculated risk rather than one of incessant intrigue and danger. This is evident in the care with which Gabriel gathers his crew to plan the operation against Rashid and the frustration he experiences when changes in the Washington political climate suddenly take control of the mission away from him.
Portrait of a Spy marks Silva’s return to the topic of Arab terrorism at a time when developments in the Middle East are undergoing rapid change. Yet part of the realism that underlies Portrait of a Spy comes in its recognition that these changes will not necessarily mark the end of hostilities. As Gabriel reminds a Washington official, what they are involved in is "a forever war."
Followers of this series will no doubt be pleased to learn that Universal has acquired the screen rights to Silva’s Gabriel Allon books. According to an April 1, 2011 article on Deadline New York Jeff Zucker will produce the future film and Silva himself will be executive producer.
7/20: Spy novelist Daniel Silva talks new book, in Phoenix
By Larry Rodgers
The Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com/
July 14, 2011
"He was supposed to appear in one novel (2000's "The Kill Artist") and then sail off into the sunset," Silva recalled in a phone conversation from his home in Washington, D.C.
But Silva, a former journalist who says character development is just as important as a thrilling plot, has found himself watching Allon evolve through 11 books, including the new "Portrait of a Spy."
The book, which Silva will sign on Wednesday in Phoenix, finds the author using Allon's latest adventure to take stock of the global war on terrorism.
Silva, who covered politics and foreign affairs for the UPI news service and produced talk shows for CNN before changing careers, talked about spies, politicians and journalists during the call.
Question: You covered several presidential conventions as a reporter. Are you a political junkie?
Answer: I am an unrepentant political junkie at heart. I hate to confess this, but I work until 6:30 every night, and at the stroke of 6:30 I turn on the nightly news and then I just sit and watch all the political news on Fox and MSNBC. I love the dueling points of view. My wife ("Today" correspondent Jamie Gangel) works for NBC, and I have friends who are in the Senate, in Congress, and friends who have worked in various administrations.
Q: Given your longtime ambition to be a novelist, were you taking extra notes as you traveled the world as a journalist?
A: I don't think it works that way, but what being a journalist did was provide me with a unique opportunity to see various places in the world, particularly the Middle East . . . in a way that most people will never get a chance to. It had a great deal of influence on my work.
Q: Does your wife provide some ideas for you?
A: Absolutely. Most married writers that I know, their wives play an important role in the process, and that is certainly the case with myself. . . . She's always there, someone to bounce ideas off. She's the first person to read my manuscripts, and she's my most trusted editor. It's great to have someone like that in your corner.
Q: You have 14 books under your belt since you left CNN. Are there a few key things that you've learned?
A: (Laughing) I wish. The truth is that every year, you push that rock up the hill. In some respects, it gets harder as you go on in your career because you want to do something better, top yourself. I wish I could say that I had a process that I've used book in and book out to get it done, but I don't.
Q: Some have compared writing to having a homework assignment that never ends.
A: It is . . . and that's what it's like for eight, nine months a year. I'm living in two worlds - the real world and this other world that exists inside my head. I'm terribly preoccupied. I don't eat well. It gets ugly down here in my office. Then I emerge once a year to talk about it. It's a strange experience because it's so intensely private and personal when you're doing it, and then (I) go out on tour and discuss it with readers.
Q: Gabriel Allon has been compared to James Bond as an intriguing and appealing character. That's pretty flattering stuff.
A: It is. The funny thing about Gabriel is that he was never intended to be a continuing character. . . . No one is more surprised than me that this character that I created 12 years ago is at the top of the New York Times' best-seller list each year. It's been a pleasant surprise.
Q: Have you consciously developed Allon's character, or does that come naturally?
A: I think it comes naturally. The character has definitely evolved. . . . He is a much funnier character than he was early on. He's got a great sense of humor.
The characters and their personal lives and the way they intersect through Gabriel are really just as important to this series as the problems and adventures that they are confronting. . . . It's an 11-book soap opera in a lot of ways. These characters have . . . aged, changed jobs, grown, suffered tragedy, and I think that is what really draws my readers to the story.
Q: You had little art training in your younger days, yet Gabriel moves extensively through that world.
A: I have an immense library of art books and, more importantly, I have really smart people who I can call on when I need help. My art adviser insists that it be accurate because he knows that so many people in the art world read books. . . . He knows that among the (art) restoration community, Gabriel Allon is kind of a hero.
Q: What do you want readers to take away from "Portrait of a Spy"?
A: What I set out to do with this book was to take stock of where we are in this global war on terrorism 10 years after 9/11. . . .
Halfway through it, the Arab world awakened from this decade-long slumber, and the Arab Spring (a wave of protests against repressive regimes) began. I'm a writer who likes to try to catch history in the act, and it was an enormous challenge to write about this and not get dated or overtaken by events.
But it was also a great opportunity for me because I was able to craft a story that incorporates all these elements and poses the questions, "Where do we go now? Who is going to emerge victorious from this - is it going to be the forces of moderation or the forces of extremist Islam?"
We have a lot riding on the outcome in this country.
Reach the reporter at larry.rodgers@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8043.
Daniel Silva book signing
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. Doors open 6 p.m.
Where: Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix.
Admission: Free. Books must be purchased from the event's host, the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale.
Details: 480-947-2974, poisonedpen.com.
The Arab Spring and the return of Gabriel Allon
By Hugh Hewitt
The Washington Examiner
http://washingtonexaminer.com/
06/26/11
The drama and the consequences of the Arab Spring and the future of al Qaeda confound the American public. Silva provides not just a riveting thriller full of his trademark tradecraft and compelling, detailed descriptions of post-Sept. 11 espionage and the highest end of the art world, but also a means to understanding the enormity of the events unfolding in real time.
And the stakes. The stakes are so incredibly high, but because the Arab world is so difficult to understand, Silva's great contribution isn't the extraordinarily high entertainment value of the amazing series of 11 Allon thrillers that began with "The Kill Artist" in 2000.
It is that Silva is explaining the realities of the world we live in through his fiction. A handful of novelists have been climbing this mountain in recent years: Alex Berenson, Robert Ferrigno, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor and others.
Some have created characters like Flynn's Mitch Rapp who embody the American hero who is every day on the front lines of this long war. Others try to communicate the possible consequences of a long war on national character and international relations as Steven Pressfield does in his new offering "The Profession."
Silva's great contribution, though, is to communicate Israel's situation and Israel's perspective. Allon is a great ambassador for the Jewish state, and Israel's real ambassador, the historian Michael Oren, would do well to keep boxed sets of the Allon novels close at hand for the Americans he finds uncommonly dense as to the way the world really works and how it is understood by -- and must be understood by -- the realists within Israel.
Few things annoy my friends as much as advance copies of the most sought-after novels that talk show hosts who read receive. My heavily annotated copy of "Portrait" has its own distribution list, with my friend Michelle the AP art history teacher first in line to discover which of the great masters Silva will introduce to his public next. (His first name is Tiziana.)
Gary the trial lawyer and Bud the contractor are next, and still others if those at the head of the line read fast enough to beat the publication date.
From this circle of trusted borrowers, I gather reactions that inform my annual interview with Silva. And from these readers I know that Allon has changed the way they understand the Middle East, the Arab world, jihadists, and, of course, Israel.
"Portrait" will update that understanding, layering in the enormity of changes brought about by the Arab Spring.
One evil character, a master motivator of terror, sums up the dangers of the time in which we live in one snarled warning to one of the protectors of the free peoples.
"[A] man such as yourself is not so naive to think that this great Arab awakening is going to produce Western-style democracy in the Middle East," he states.
"The revolt might have started with the students and the secularists, but the brothers will have the last word. We are the future."
Silva's Allon, and his colleagues across the civilized world and their allies within the Arab world -- especially women -- plan, act and risk to prevent that from happening. As does Silva and other serious artists in words, for which we should all be grateful -- especially those of us who love great reads.
Examiner Columnist Hugh Hewitt is a law professor at Chapman University Law School and a nationally syndicated radio talk show host who blogs daily at www.HughHewitt.com.
http://www.danielsilvabooks.com/content/index.asp
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