“Pirate Latitudes” reminds you more of “Eaters of the Dead” or “Timeline” (minus the time travel aspect) than Michael Crichton’s more famous books like Jurassic Park, Prey. And, like many historical novels starring pirates, it is a bit cheesy in pieces.
Port Royal, the lonesome British colony in the Caribbean seas, is surrounded by the Spanish waters. The undeclared (and unacknowledged) war on the Spanish empire is being carried out by the privateers, who find support from the colony’s influential citizens, including the governor. So, when the governor comes to know about a treasure nao possibly kept in the Spanish harbour of Matanceros, he brings the lucrative venture to Capt. Hunter.
Unfortunately, Matanceros is an impregnable island fortress led by a vicious Spanish commander, Cazalla. Hunter and his crew is well motivated to carry out the raid, many having personal grudges against Cazalla. But the waters of Caribbean are infested than more than just Spanish warships, and Hunter’s Cassandra faces natural and man-made obstacles on the journey. Not to mention, the new Secretary sent by His Majesty Charles II to Port Royal has a grudge of his own, against Hunter.
As I said, the novel has the true historical, piratical flavour to the narration. The story (like in Timeline or Eaters…) doesn’t shy away from the more gruesome (or lascivious) details of the life in the colonies in 17th century. Cazalla’s bloodthirsty nature is well portrayed as is the often lawless life in Port Royal. Cassandra is manned by such names as the Moor, Lazue, The Jew and Sanson the French assassin. Each one has his own interesting backstory, excluding the captain, Charles Hunter. Then again, you can spot the good guys and the bad guys right from the start, and none move away from their side of the fence.
While Hunter’s crew is filled with such experts, the Spanish don’t fare so well on their side. True to the maritime nature of the novel, <small spoiler> the actual raid <end spoiler> and the land battles are almost too easy to win, and too quick to finish. It is the sea battles and the voyage of Cassandra and El Trinidad which are the truly thrilling aspects of the action.
Don’t expect to read something like Jurassic Park or Timeline. But this will be very interesting for the fans of Michael Crichton, or the fans of pirates. After all, add pirates to anything, and it becomes good, right?
Quote of the Day:
You see, Mr. Hacklett, privateering is an honourable occupation. Pirates, on the other hand, are outlaws.
– Sir James Almont, Governor of Jamaica
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Check out Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton. Also, other historical fiction books.
Out with the story of the header before you write another review!
I haven’t read a Michael Crichton in ages! Not since ‘Next’ and I liked the premise of it. But every time I see his name I will think of Airframe and remind myself as to just HOW misleading it turned out to be. Bah. On the other hand, Timeline was a classic! Even if the movie was shit (okay so it had a dishy Gerard Butler and a very pretty pseudo French Anna Friel but still!) …
Not really one for pirate stories, will keep this on the back burner for on of the slow days 🙂
And you’re SUCH a boy! “After all, add pirates to anything, and it becomes good, right?”
😀
Of course I am a boy. And of course, pirates (and ninjas, naturally) make everything better. 🙂
“Next” was quite interesting, and so was “Prey”, although “State of Fear” was a bit of a letdown for me. This one is completely non sci-fi, and hardly fantastical, though. Not your regular Crichton.
“Not your regular Crichton” – so it might actually be good? 😛
Like 3D I havent picked up a Crichton in ages and from what I’ve read about him, I get the feeling I’m not missing much.
Have you read Steig Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy. I’ve been meaning to do a review for ages now.
Hmm, everything till Prey was pretty good, State of Fear was a bit of fearmongering. But this is better than Next, I guess 😀 Which was your last Crichton?
Millenium trilogy? Haven’t heard of it. Will wait for your review to hear about it I guess.
Pirate Latitudes does not dissapoint for the Crichton fan. Although, I must admit, it brings about some sadness at the end, for we know it is the last Crichton book… I think anyone who enjoyes Crichton will truly enjoy Pirate Latitudes. It is exciting and adventurous, a page turner that I read in two evenings. (I am sorry I didnt’ make it last longer). I feel it is better than Prey and better than Next, though they too were good books, they are not as engaging as ..Latitudes. Enjoy the final Crichton, it is worth the read.
I enjoyed this book a great deal, particularly the authentic and colorful description of the times, characters and customs of the period. Most spectacular, was the detail that Crichton provided to describe the seamanship required to sail, navigate and fight large and small ships of the day. No engines, no radar no GPS. Just wind, sails and experience. These kinds of specifics make historical fiction special. I admire an author’s ability to intertwine a good plot with extensive historical research that puts me in the middle of the action. This book took me there.
When we left the historical realm and meandered into fantasy, the book let me down. Sea monsters? Please!
I have a hard time comparing Crichton books. I have enjoyed each for their own reason. For me, a Crichton read is always fast and furious. Pirate Latitudes did not disappoint.
This book is Mission Impossible, Star Trek and Master & Commander rolled into one. If you are a fan of these genres as I am, this book is a “must read”. I cant wait to see the Spielberg movie.
google search “colossal squid”…
The fact that colossal squids exist does not take Pirate Latitudes out of fantasy in an otherwise historical novel. First of all, the colossal squid is found in Antarctic waters, certainly not the Caribbean. Second, while legends abound of squids attacking ships there is absolutely no scientific basis for these legends.
I am the first to acknowledge that my criticism is personal. I want a historical novel to make me believe that the story could have happened. Crichton lost me with his “fish story.”
I loved the book, thought it better than Next, on par with Prey. Didn’t really mind the Kraken bit – it’s fiction after all, action adventure, and once in the story I was really in to it. Two Kraken scenes, though, may have been stretching it.
And the Capt. Hunter character was great, totally male but flavored with character flaws (although you might say that for that time and place those traits weren’t flaws – and he had his own rough brand of honor).
I also liked Time Line and State of Fear (maybe cause it went against the “holy grail” of global warming).
Just finished the book. Loved it! Of course, my favorite books of Crichton’s are Eaters of the Dead and Congo which are similar adventure books. I’m usually a slow reader, took over a month to read Next. I couldn’t put this book down. Read it in a week (which is extremely fast for me).
This was on the recent releases (for some reason) at the library today and I read it this evening. Quick read, not a real long book, but enjoyable. Not as good as some of his others, but interesting combination of decent character development, man vs man, man vs nature, man vs monster, and politics. As mentioned previously, the highlight for me was the ship battles, hopefully the film adaptation does a good job with it and it’ll be a real blast. Looking forward to the the next book, hope the ‘assistant’ writer is a good one.