36 Righteous Men by Steven Pressfield

I actually got an ARC of this book from Netgalley, but then found we had the audio at my local library, so I plumped for that instead, as I listen to way more audio these days as I have less time to sit on my butt and read.

I was excited to get this one. Steven Pressfield has been on my To-Read list forever, especially Gates of Fire, but I was happy to get a chance at this one. Funnily, despite the disclaimer below, this book has stuck in my mind for almost a year, not in its entirety, but some parts more than others, and isn’t that what we really want from everyone’s (i.e. mine) favourite hobby?

Disclaimer – I read this in September, so forgive me if I’m a little hazy on some of the details.

So, what’s it all about?

**Minor Spoiler Warning (this happens within the first 100 pages or so)**

This starts off as many mysteries do, with NYPD detectives Covina “Dewey” Duwai and James Manning tasked with solving a seemingly impossible murder. But a clue leads them on a trip to a Jewish library, where they learn of the titular 36 Righteous Men, a legend where God agrees to spare the world (more or less, you can check it out here) as long as these 36 men exist. It turns out, the victims are members of this group, and what was a murder investigation becomes a race to find and protect these people. 

Is it any good?

This is the big question. I love all mythology, and it was great to learn something new. The setting was good, a near-future earth where global warming has caused the seas to rise and the air quality to lessen. New York had developed to hold off the rising waters was scary enough, but the effects on Israel are as scary as any horror.  Technology has advanced to near Orwellian proportions, which adds to the mystery of the killer’s elusive nature. The characters were solid, if not overly original, but they certainly didn’t detract from the book. I did like Dewey and the few people who helped her along the way, and the narrator, Amielynn Abellera did a great job breathing life into the characters. I think the ending should have been better than it was, but it was certainly worthy and surprising (or not, as the case may be). Steven Pressfield is without a doubt a terrific writer, and I was excited to read this, but something about it didn’t quite gel, and I still can’t put my finger on it a year later. Perhaps it was how it jumped to different concepts within the story, making it hard to keep track of. I’m not going to knock the book, as it was certainly worth a read, I just didn’t love it.  

Verdict

Some great ideas, but the lacks in story.

• Format: Audiobook
• Obtained from: Library
• Listening time: 7 hours 30 minutes
• Publisher: Prince Frederick: Recorded Books Inc
• ISBN: 9781980054399
• Narrator: Amielynn Abellera

Library (support your public library people)