Malena by Holzman (5 Stars)

This political thriller set during the military junta in Argentina between 1976 and 1983 was a page turner. Four main characters, Solo, Ines, Malena and Diego are enmeshed in disappearances, kidnappings, torture, murder and political intrigue. Through these characters the reader learns of the unnerving actions of a police state run amok. While this novel takes place in Argentina, the Pinochet regime in Chile was the setting for similar atrocities in that country. Further, American complicity in the dreadful tactics of these regimes was an outrage. Apparently, American fear of Communist leaning governments removed all common sense appropriate responses that the U.S. should have had toward these atrocities. Once a country loses its bearings its conduct becomes more and more outrageous. Even more surprising was the involvement of the Catholic church in kidnappings, torture, and murder. There are overtones of anti-Semitism in this novel in part encouraged by the church. Though Jews comprise only 1% of the Argentinean population, they comprised 1/3rd of the victims of Argentina’s military junta. Considering America’s contribution in teaching the Junta torture techniques euphemistically called “enhanced interrogation techniques”, I am surprised that Argentineans today welcome American tourists and seem to bear no ill will. This is a first novel, but I am hopeful we will see more from this talented author. He weaves the facts into a tangled web with one surprise after another. The twists and turns are not predictable. This novel would make an excellent basis for a suspense film.