The Land Agent - Softcover

"A beautifully-made historical novel. In its fast-moving and accessible storytelling, in its emotional punch, and in its brilliantly-realised evocation of a time and place." - Booktrust.; "Has the swift fluency of a master storyteller." - Ian Stephen, Northwords Now.; "Bernard Malamud meets Hilary Mantel... This is succinct, thoroughly absorbing storytelling, which casts... light on the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A timely, terrific novel by a writer at the very top of his game." - David Belbin.; "An historical novel big on romance and contemporary relevance. The Land Agent creates a vivid picture of Jewish Palestine in its original state, when the idealism of socialist settlers competed with the more hardnosed vision of Zionists for how to build the future homeland." - Michael Goldfarb.; Praise for J. David Simons: "In the tradition of Graham Greene or William Boyd. Accomplished, compelling." - Chris Dolan, author, playwright.; "An odyssey of cultural confusion and survival. Full of hope, honour and sadness." - McKitterick Prize judges.; "A bold new voice in fiction." - Rodge Glass.; "A rare evocation of the immigrant novel, with a welcome Scottish dimension." - Clive Sinclair, The Jewish Chronicle.; "Entertaining and compelling. Explores so many stimulating political themes." - Alan Lloyd, Morning Star.

"A genuine tour-de-force" - Lesley McDowell on 'An Exquisite Sense of What Is Beautiful'. Palestine, 1920s. Working as an agent for one of the richest men in the world, Polish-Jewish immigrant Lev Sela finds himself swept into a relationship with Celia Kahn, a mesmerising Scottish pioneer, after stumbling upon a strategic area of land that doesn't exist on any map. An outstanding historical novel, The Land Agent brims with passion, tension and conflicting ideals, and is populated with an extraordinary cast of characters reflecting the melting pot of the era. Effortlessly navigating the labyrinths of its time and place, it evokes a troubled, yet beautiful land.