Upon completion of "Preemptive" I was hard pressed to believe that this was Douglas Grant's first novel. In fact, I find it unfathomable. The genius of the novel is its ability to tell a multi-layered story, spanned throughout a fair length of time, in a way that is both cohesive and suspense building. The story unfolds triumphantly and thrust itself to a crescendo, with the last 30 to 40 pages being some of the most intense narrative I have ever read, gracefully pulling together two story-lines in a manner that hardly felt possible. The novel includes the perfect "ah-ha" moment, a reveal that makes the novel an absolute must.
"Preemptive" tells the story of two families who reside on different sides of the globe, one in New York and one Afghanistan, and shows us how people really not so different. We learn within its pages how often it is the experiences one goes through which makes us who we are. It explores what can and will shape a man. And, it doesn't shy away from exploring, even in the fledgling pages of the novel, how the tragic events of 911 emotionally damaged the families who were involved. In truth, the novel shies away from very little, including the lengths desperate men, extremists, will go to when they are betrayed or threatened.
Douglas Grant's knowledge of the inner workings of the Mujaheddin, including details of equipment available, bunker cave schematics, and the relationship of the United States and the Afghans, both during the Cold War and beyond, is cohesive and concise. In turn, his knowledge of New York life, as told through the character Zack McCrady, is also thorough, down to a New Yorker's commute to the office, or the hierarchy and methods of a drug delivery messenger service. All this information, from two varied and complex worlds, is conveyed to the reader in an easily understood manner that is often and discreetly laced with wording I can describe as nothing short of poetry..."sparks flew off the steel and disappeared like melted snow".
"Preemptive" offers hope through understanding of why and how things come to be, but also offers many distressing warnings. We learn of the Afghans will, their ability to hold ground throughout time even when faced with invasions by the likes of the British Empire and Genghis Khan. We learn how it was American training that made the Afghans capable during their struggle with the Russians, and what the haunting effects of America turning their backs on the Afghans after their "victory" really could be and were. We learn that "conflicts born out of religion is destructive to the order of the things" and we see so clearly in this novel why they (the Afghan extremist) fight.
A reason to read this novel alone is that living within its pages is one of the most complex and interesting characters I have come upon, a character that will pursue my thoughts for years to come. The character of Benazar Rashid is one that demands instant respect from fellow character and readers alike. "Benazar Rashid was the product of a terrible conflict, and a frightening example to the world of what such trauma can do to a man. But above all else, the man was a survivor." Benazar is a character fit for a screen or novels to come, a more layered character I have have happened upon in recent readings.
"Preemptive" is an enjoyable read that may open windows of thought into important aspects of America's recent turbulence. It is fun while insightful, and explores, with a full open mind, how things came to be. It addresses two worlds without bias and allows the reader to delve into serious issues while crafting a narrative, an adventure, which turns the pages at a ready rate. Bravo Douglas on this fine novel, and thank you.
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Le recensioni migliori da altri paesi
Michael C. Shields
A must read for those who must know why.....
Recensito negli Stati Uniti il 24 febbraio 2011
