It is described as a “novel of love, courage, and the triumph of the human spirit,” and it is
that. And much more. In “Masada,” Ernest K. Gann, no stranger to large literary
undertakings, gives the story of the valiant band of Zealots who chose to defy the powerful
occupying Roman machine, and in so doing, of course, surrender their own lives. Three
principal characters--Eleazar, Silva, and Sheva--shape the direction of this novel. Gann
bases this story on actual events (derived from the writings of Josephus) and it is a story
that, despite its tragic themes, is one of the valiant struggling against the wicked. Rome
simply could not permit the defiance that these Jewish Zealots were displaying and so
sought to eliminate them. Not so fast, of course, as Eleazar leads his followers to Masada,
the giant “rock” overlooking the Dead Sea and a place that seems impregnable. They have
food and water that should withstand any type of seige. The Romans, however, under
General Silva, are patient and set about constructing a ramp up the hill. They then use a
battering ram to render the Zealots (men, women, and children) defenseless. Alas, of
course, when the Romans enter the fortress, all are dead--they've committed mass suicide.
Gann is at his best here, too (among his other works: “The High and the Mighty” and
“Fate Is the Hunter”). This is a book that is historically invigorating as well as literarily
compelling.
"
Bill Hobbs, Resident Scholar
Click above for the new Obama Girl Parody video!
Review Analysis of Masada
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story
- distant past/middle ages
Political/social activism
Yes
Plotlet:
- general liberal/left wing activism
- minorities fighting for rights
- religious issues
Culture clash?
- visiting a culture in other country
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- champion of justice
Age:
- 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- an organization
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a substantial amount
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 9 (quite a lot)
Asia/Pacific
Yes
Asian country:
- Israel
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- explicit references to deaths
Unusual Style:
- No single main character?
Amount of dialog
- significantly more descript than dialog
