With limited time for entertainment, I've always sought to read something that I could reflect on - such as books of Coelho. Well, maybe books of Gabriel Garcia Marquez can be passed for pleasure readings for me, but it requires some serious after-reading reflections to comprehend the literature and different styles of plot progress such an author implements.
Recently, after reading all the Coelho collections I had (until his newest book "The Winner Stands Alone" arrived in my mail), I tried to go back to reading for pleasure in Robert Jordan. But his books are like 1,000 pages thick and they are often felt as a burden than pleasure. Sure it requires no thinking, but it does require some position to read comfortably due to the size of the book. (I don't have an ebook reader other than PDA and iPhone, and this book is not available on kindle yet. Also, I am hesitant about other ebook readers because of other issues I am going to write in a blog post some other time - a work in progress).
When I was still in Manila, Michael Crichton was one of the favorite authors of my good friend RSL. So, I started to have some interest in him after watching Spielberg's movies of his books, the Jurassic Park series. But since then, I've never tried to read his books and didn't show much interest in him. My taste of books just changed to more philosophical or spiritual books.
Got this book as a birthday present form JYK, and I was struck with a bolt of jubilation.
Although I was in the middle of reading several other books including Robert Jordan's Gathering Storm, East of Eden, etc (I do read several books at once), I picked up soon after I received the book.
This book was the perfect book just as my vacation days ended and I was feeling pressure from work and study.
I almost finished the book in two days (of weekend that involved visiting NY nuna and watching Avatar again) and several hours I could spare before I hit the sack after studying until 4 am during weekdays.
Okay, enough with the background. About the book.
(Spoiler alert on next two paragraphs!)
It's about Caribbean when Spanish, British and piracy were cohabiting. Jamaica, as a colony of the British, gathers privateers to steal a Spanish galleon with precious metals. Pirates/privateers begin their expedition to a formidable Spanish fortress and under the command of captain Hunter, they make it work.
But they meet several obstacles on their way back home including another Spanish warship, hurricane, cannibals, and kraken (!!!! - I was shocked, too). Back at Jamaica, pirates are put in prison and one of the crew betrays Hunter. Hunter was released through friendship of the governor, but never retrieves the stolen share of treasure.
The book was very exciting as each event was entertaining.
I thought I was reading some historical action-ish fiction but the appearance of kraken just made this book a fantasy novel. I am not complaining. Just a fact. I don't know much about Michael Crichton, but given that he was a master of Science Fiction, it should not be a surprise. How each events are linked, I try not to question. This book is not to be asked for literature qualities but for entertainment, and it was extremely entertaining.
I've read other reviews saying this book is not the best work and was slated to be shelved by the author even though it was written like 10 years ago. But this is a posthumous novel of Crichton (may he rest in peace) found in his computer by his assistant, and to think that this was to be shelved is amazing. Now, this movie is under production by none other than Steven Spielberg - scheduled to be released in 2011.
It was an easy reading in bath tub and in bed. Made my heart light. Loved it.
4/5
