The Vintage Reader

Mila 18. There's nothing like reading about a bunch of people you really, really like who are forced to leave their homes and become squatters; are then starved, shot at, bombed, and burned out; and finally have to wade through the sewers to escape, to make you appreciate your own situation. In case you're not familiar with it, Mila 18 is Leon Uris' incredible novel about the Warsaw ghetto. The characters are all interesting, and the story is told so well that it seems like history itself is the plot. Leon Uris is the master of the modern epic novel, and IMO, this is his finest work. Also one of his shortest, I think.

I went looking for more of his stuff out in the house. I did find Trinity, and of course, the aforementioned tape of Exodus, which, if it follows the book, has one of the characters from Mila 18 in it anyway. But no Mila 18. When I get home, I might send a spare copy down here. Perhaps someone else will appreciate it too.