Thieves in the Night

I have just finished reading Arthur Koestler’s novel ‘Thieves in the Night’ published in 1946 and set in the British Mandate of Palestine during the late 1930s.

The view point in this novel contrasts strongly with those of  Elias  S Srouji’s  in his memoir ‘Cyclamens of Galilee’  and with  flashbacks in  Michelle Cohen Corasanti’s  novel ‘The Almond Tree, ’ which I read earlier in the year.  

I hadn’t expected to enjoy this novel as much as I did.  The reason it appealed to me was that it put into words aspects of my own behaviour that have long troubled me, but I haven't been able to define properly.

The protagonist Joseph is a character who can’t settle for the axiom ‘moderation is best’.  In any strongly  emotional or dangerous situation he stands back from himself  and critiques his own or others’ corny cliché ridden words and exaggerated actions as if he were a member of an audience watching a tragedy that ought to be given more gravitas.  He can’t enjoy praise, without the embarrassed feeling that people wouldn’t feel the same about his accomplishments if they realised his true egotistical motivation.

Perhaps these character traits are more common in writers than in other people.  Any comments?

With regards to ultra-Zionism, an issue at the centre of the novel, the following conversation Joseph has with an Irgun member he admires, probably sums up the situation in 2013 as well as it did in 1938.

"I wish my Arabic was as good as yours," said Joseph. "What was the old Sheikh explaining so solemnly?"

"He explained that every nation has the right to live according to its own fashion, right or wrong, without outside interference. He explained that money corrupts, fertilizers stink and tractors make a noise, all of which he dislikes."

"And what did you answer?"

"Nothing."

"But you saw his point?"

"We cannot afford to see the other man's point."