Naomi Ragen, an American writer, has lived in Israel for over 30 years during which time she has written six emotionally charged novels that have managed to blend tragedy with today’s headline news. In the Covenant, Ragen uses her format to explore not only the terrorist tactics of the Palestinians but also reminds her readers of the horrors of the holocaust through the eyes of one of her principle characters, Leah. Through Leah’s memories we come to know Ariana, currently a Paris nightclub owner, Esther, a cosmetics millionaire, and Maria, a polish political activist.

The Covenant revolves around the story of these four women and the commitment that they made to each other during their internment in Auschwitz, a NAZI death camp. To them this commitment was sacred and was nothing short of a promise that if they survived Auschwitz they would become one person, “risking everything, giving everything, to help each other live in happiness all the days of their lives.”

This commitment is called upon by Leah when in 2002 Leah’s pregnant granddaughter Elise Margulies is not only faced with a difficult pregnancy but finds herself having to cope with the terrorist kidnapping, in Jerusalem, of her oncologist husband, Jonathon and their five-year-old daughter Ilana. Banding together and using their unique connections these four woman race against time, wielding their considerable influence, in an attempt to save their loved ones from a sure death.

Throughout the tale Ragen weaves in deeper and more serious undertones than the plot suggests, forcing the reader to consider the issues behind the Israeli’s stubborn pride and their tenacity and determination to keep claim on the land that they believe God promised to the Jewish people

I found Ms Ragen’s presentation thought provoking, stimulating and worthy of the read as she struggled to make it clear to the minds of American readers that the majority of us have no concept of the depth of animosity and frustration that is felt by both the Palestinians and the Israeli’s nationals over a land that they both believe was promised to them. Further the story is presented in such a way that the reader feels the heart of the victims on both sides and finds themselves turning page after page throughout this mesmerizing tale where misconceptions are rampant and the innocent are slaughtered all in the name of an unforeseen justice that staggers the American way of thinking. This is a must read book for anyone who desires more than a romantic mystery or something from the horror genre that has no real substance.

[tags]The Covenant, Naomi Ragen, Palestinian/Israeli conflict, terrorist, kidnapping, fiction, thriller, Auschwitz, NAZI death camp, promised land, [/tags]