The Human Scale

A Novel

By: Lawrence Wright

Narrated by: Peter Ganim

In this sweeping, timely thriller, a Palestinian American FBI agent teams up with a hardline Israeli cop to solve the murder of the Israeli police chief in Gaza—from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Looming Tower and The End of October.

"A layered tale of intrigue and betrayal."—Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March and Horse

Tony Malik, a half-Irish, half-Arab FBI agent based in New York, specializes in tracking money from drug and arms deals. His life takes a dramatic turn when a long-term relationship ends and his job hangs in the balance. Amid personal turmoil, Malik becomes intrigued by his Palestinian father's past. He decides to visit his ancestral homeland for his niece's wedding, accepting a seemingly simple FBI assignment along the way.

Upon arrival in the West Bank, Malik's world is upended when the Israeli police chief is murdered. Initially a suspect, Malik's investigative prowess soon earns him a place in the Israeli investigation. At the heart of the story is Malik's complex relationship with Yossi, the hardline anti-Arab Israeli police officer leading the case. They must learn to trust each other because, as they move closer to solving the case, they realize there is no one else they can trust on either side.

Lawrence Wright populates the novel with richly drawn characters: Yossi's daughter studying in Paris, Malik's niece whose wedding is shattered by violence, her peacenik fiancé with ties to Hamas, and a cast of religious leaders, corrupt cops, and militants on both sides. Through these intersecting lives, Wright weaves an intricate tapestry that culminates in the devastating Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

More than a thriller, Wright's novel explores the complex history between Israel and Palestine, revealing the tragic human scale of this long-standing conflict and offering a nuanced perspective on a tragedy that continues to shape the region and the world.

Hopeless

America has the pleasure of not knowing - The awareness the author brings into his story is great.

Want to really understand the Israel - Palestinian war?

Brilliant novel. Takes you into the minds of the people on both sides. Some are fanatics and some are just trying to live their lives. Brings much understanding but little hope.

A novel that proves the point that fiction, when endowed with truth and reality, can be more powerful than non-fiction

The author’s ability to capture the emotions of both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict

Excellent writing!

A clever mix of fact and fiction that will take you deep into the conflict, beyond the headlines and prejudices.

Get to know life in Gaza

This story brings you right into Gaza, leading up to the horrific massacre on Oct 7, 2023. Wright deftly introduces you to characters on both sides of the conflict and you can see how ingrained the prejudices are. At times it was difficult to remember if characters were Arab or Jew because they all had strong feelings about the other