Damascus Gate

By Robert Stone

‘At once religious discussion, love story, mystery, delivered with the verve of an airport thriller . . . The central character of this book is Jerusalem; the book reeks of its myriad mythologies and beliefs . . . Damascus Gate is an amazing read . . . a rare and remarkable feast of writing’ Scotland on Sunday

‘The heir of Conrad, Hemingway and, crucially, Graham Greene, Stone is at his best when his characters are in extremis . . . the scenes of violent confrontation could not have been rendered more powerfully by any other writer . . . formidable’ Sunday Telegraph

‘A book that is not afraid to take on the big themes like faith, faction, spirituality, tribalism, identity and injustice . . . It is also an extraordinary treatment of Jerusalem itself . . . With Stone, it has found the kind of imaginative interpreter that every city waits for’ Sunday Times

‘Writing this good should be engraved on tablets of stone in letters of fire and blood. Fantastic’ Uncut

‘Stone has a journalist’s eye for detail, but a novelist’s eye for irony . . . Damascus Gate is rich with theme and atmosphere . . . few writers could even attempt to capture, as Stone does, both the intense, combative spirituality of Jerusalem and the festering menace of Gaza’ Esquire

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Jun 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781447211570

Robert Stone

ROBERT STONE (1937–2015) was the acclaimed author of eight novels and two story collections, including Dog Soldiers, winner of the National Book Award, and Bear and His Daughter, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His memoir, Prime Green, was published in 2007.

Reviews for Damascus Gate

[rondoctor · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I picked up this book because of a review I read. It looked intriguing. Unfortunately, the story didn't live up to its review. Too much repetition and false erudition. I was tempted to give it up a dozen times, but I tend to keep reading even if the story and writing is not wonderful. In this case, it was good enough to keep me reading, but just barely. The 500 page book could have been condensed to 200 pages and that might have made it better. I would not recommend this book.

[jaygheiser · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An intellectual thriller that dabbles in Jewish mysticism and syncretic exotica. I found the ending disappointingly flat.

[glenline · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story line meanders a bit without any apparent reason. But then that is true of life also. Not everyone is living out a carefully conceived plot. However the stories themselves are interesting and informative.

[charlie68_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An entertaining story that delves into Israel and metaphysics and the people it attracts.

[catien_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Thriller set in Jerusalem with religious and political intrigue. I realized after I started reading that it was not the kind of book I normally read, but it got rave reviews from most reviewers, so I think if this is your kind of genre, you will love this book.