O'Hara's Choice

Leon Uris has written some genius books, but this isn't one of them. It starts as a promising historical fiction dealing with the formation of the US marine corp, but soon descends into a turgid and pointless romance novel. At that point I gave up too.

Unfortunately, not one of Uris's better works. According to the Publisher's Note at the front of the book "Leon Uris passed away in June 2003, shortly after reviewing his copyedited manuscript." Methinks that the man didn't have enough strength to do a proper job of editing and it shows.

Private Zachary O'Hara is in the Marines where he has found a family of sorts. His father, Paddy, also a Marine died of cancer just as Zach entered the Marines. His mother died of TB just after his birth and his father abandoned him to the care of his aunt Brigid for some years until Brigid became too ill to look after him. Paddy's old mates look after him as a way to repay the debt they owe Paddy for saving their lives. Then the lovely and rich Amanda show more Kerr comes across Zach and decides she wants him. What started out as a fling becomes a serious love for both of them but they know they can never have a life together. Or can they? That is O'Hara's choice. show less

I forgot how much I like Uris' writing style in the years since I've read any of his books. I enjoy his kind of history, which is saying a lot because history is very rarely something I want to read about. I have no idea if this story is one-sided or riddled with inaccuracies as some claim about his other books. I know that while I was reading it I was feeling history come alive for me - which was rare and enjoyable.I enjoy his strong and vivid characters, which were as strong in this book as in others. Perhaps stronger than in QB VII and not quite like Ari from Exodus.I will definitely recommend this book even though I haven't included in my must reads.

A Promising Series Cut Short

Uris’ death, three months prior to this book’s publication, not only cut short the career of a great novelist, but also another sequel.

I loved his novels Trinity, Redemption and QBVII. They were great stories spun in the tradition of historical novels. His story-telling ability and character creation communicate the humanity of the age and culture about which he writes.

O’Hara’s Choice is no exception. Patriotic Duty and family loyalty duel in this tale set in the Gilded Age that followed the U. S. Civil War. Leon Uris was a great writer. He had the ability to create characters who communicate the age and times in which Uris set his novels.

The worst part of coming to the end of this book is the show more nagging awareness that this is the last Uris novel the reader will read. show less

I read this to complete my alphabet challenge. I took along to me to get into this story and was tempted to give up more than once.
This story takes us back to the early days of the US Marines, in particular Zac O'Hara, son of Paddy. Groomed for life in the marines, Zac is charged with proving the need to maintain and develop the marines into an elite force. He didn't count on the distraction of Amanda Kerr daughter of a wealthy industrialist.
I read many of Leon Uris' books 30 years ago, but suspect my reading tastes have evolved as I found this some what stereotypical writing and predictable.

Leon Uris has written some genius books, but this isn't one of them. It starts as a promising historical fiction dealing with the formation of the US marine corp, but soon descends into a turgid and pointless romance novel. At that point I gave up too.

This book started out very slow for me...too many characters to digest and it jumped around so much I almost put it down. It is not until Zack is introduced before the book settles into a reasonably good read...not his best write, especially the twist at the last chapter which totally destroyed the book for me. Came out of nowhere and to me was somewhat unbelievable.