Judas is an AMAZING book. The writing might not be for everyone. But if you are willing to work yourself through this book, let me tell you it is SO WORTH it.

There are three main characters in the novel– they sit and talk and drink tea. Through the conversations the political and religious views of different generations unravel. The protagonist, Shmuel Ash is a biblical scholar at the university. His life comes to a standstill when his girlfriend abandons him and his father becomes bankrupt, thus unable to support his research. He leaves his studies and finds work as a caregiver of an old recluse named Gershom Wald. The little that we know of the lodging and Wald lend an eerie atmosphere to the story. Atalia Abravenel, a beautiful forty year old who stays in the same house, is mysterious and enchanting. Shmuel finds himself falling for this older woman, daughter of Abravenel, a deceased Zionist leader, in spite of being rebuked by Wald and the lady herself. Stuck in this house, Shmuel channels his spare time and energy working on the Jewish views of Jesus and finds himself entangled in the tragic history of the house, the State and his ambiguous mind.

The book is not an easy read and the themes are heavy. Oz's political and religious views often find an outlet through his characters. Oz tries to establish that Judas is not a traitor but the 'first and last Christian'. There are arguments about the political history of Israel throughout the novel. The character sketch is detailed and a pleasure to read. This is a favourite read of mine in 2016.

Read a detailed review here - http://www.thebooksatchel.com/judas-amos-oz/

Much thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own