Kfir Luzzatto caught up with me after he spent the day book signing at Waldenbooks in Chicago. He claims that he never knew book signing could be so difficult, but it sounded to me as though he enjoyed the well-deserved attention that "The Odyssey Gene" received.

I find Luzzatto pleasant and well spoken. He addresses me by my first name; I instantly feel at ease, as if I have known him forever. He first asks how I am and truly waits for my response. I ask him how his Thanksgiving was -- he states that it was uneventful. We chitchat just enough to allow me the time to get to my desk and writing material.

Born and raised in Milan, Italy, Kfir moved to Israel to operate the patent law firm his great-grandfather started in 1869. He currently lives 30-minutes from the Gaza strip with his family. He mentions that it’s dangerous to live there since his government pulled out the border support. Innocent people get hurt everyday -- mostly women and children.

I asked Kfir how he came to write this science fiction novel, which I found to mirror the genetic discrimination currently happening in the world. He claims that there was barely a mention of it (genetic discrimination) as far back as 2004, but it was "never an issue." He wanted to "show the stupidity of politicians" and uses "science fiction as a tool to get the story out." It "amazes" him that this topic now appears in the media. He further claims that writing articles “about bad things doesn’t leave a long impression.” Kfir’s novel, The Odyssey Gene, will cure that. I reviewed his book and still think about the characters and the DNA test.

The Odyssey Gene is about the New Australians (Newists) that "were there first" and the Andanians who were "attempting to wrest what is rightfully theirs." The same, Kfir comments, that is presently happening in his homeland and the surrounding areas.

Kfir explains that the problems in Israel, Iran, and surrounding countries stem from a "clash of civilizations." He claims that global transportation now has us intermingling more frequently -- making the field ripe for conflict. Kfir goes on to state that if the problems were dealt with, the people would "have much to lose." Lose, as in their current way of life with all the comforts. I don’t believe I ever thought of "comforts" when Israel or Iran came to mind. I see what most see when these places are covered in the media -- sand, white garments, and weathered skin. I cannot recall seeing one single “comfort” when these countries or the citizens of these countries were shown in the media.

Kfir goes on to confess that "they are dealing with people who don't care" (“suicide bombers“ who want to “die, go to heaven and see the virgins“), and people that cannot be reasoned with (“they do not compromise“). He says that there is an answer, but that it will "take a long time to put things right." There are extremists in Iran that need to be dealt with, but "the price is too high and we keep putting it off." He doubts that it will happen in our lifetime and if we wait, our children will inherit the devastation from our procrastination.

Kfir refers to one of the Pope's talks. He remembers, "The Pope is troubled with extreme acts of the Islamic." Luzzatto declares the Pope made his points clear and he agrees -- "do away with the unreasonable and reason with the ones left." He further states that Europe is "sticking their head in the sand," "Israel is just trying to survive," and "Iran burns books."

Kfir makes the struggle clear in The Odyssey Gene. It's an easy read with lots to learn -- even if it is science fiction. The novel encourages the reader to think -- and that's just what the author intended.

Luzzatto's next manuscript is currently with his publisher, Echelon Press. He reveals that it's a "high-tech thriller" about "a doctor who convinces lots of people that he has found the cure for cancer." The people who are "convinced" should be educated enough to spot a "scam," but...

Kfir admits that the publisher hasn't "bought it yet," but I have no doubt that this is just an overlooked formality. If it’s anything like The Odyssey Gene, it’s destined to be an eye-opener that this author can barely wait to read.

To learn more about Kfir and his work, please visit his web site

The above interview was conducted by:  Sue Vogan, Writer & Author of NCO-No Compassion Observed: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here