2003-10-03 Book Review: Reactor
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Reacting to Reactor San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage, Oct. 3, 2003 |
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2003-10-03 Book Review: Reactor |
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| Reactor by Gerald Kobernick, Publish America, 548 pages, $34.95. Reviewed by Donald H. Harrison The back book jacket surprisingly summarizes the plot in just a few lines: "What if 'they' have a stunning idea to build a nuclear reactor, under the guise of a water reclamation project, right here in the United States, and what if they figure out a creative method of transporting plans and parts, and the stolen plutonium— with the help of our own government—to Israel. Then, once Israel is crushed, who would have their hands on the ultimate weapons of war?" So, who are 'they'? Readers must wade through 548 pages—548 pages!— to read this hefty first novel to have that question answered. Because I was reviewing the book, I forced myself to read it—and read it—to the end. I doubt that many other people would invest the time to do so, because Reactor requires readers to follow suspects through a seemingly unending series of car rides, plane trips, hotels and meeting rooms and almost never gets to the point. Some cruel sex scenes punctuate the novel and even they get repetitive. Kobernick, a local retired dentist, has considerable talent, but he should have submitted his manuscript to rigorous cutting and editing. Such a process might have eliminated various errors such as the Israeli politician Shimon Peres being referred to as Perez, or a scene taking place in a bizarre instead of a bazaar. There are scenes in this book that transpire in dental offices, and Kobernick describes the procedures with the authority of a professional. But when he discusses foreign affairs, or even detective work, he often falls back on clichés. The moral, of course, is that writers should focus on subjects they know thoroughly. I think if Kobernick sticks to writing—and especially to rewriting—he'll grow as an author. Gerald Kobernick will speak at the San Diego Jewish Book Fair, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. |