Book info

• Title Pirate Latitudes
• Author Michael Crichton
• Year 2009
• Genre Historical

Jamaica, in 1665 a lone outpost of British power amid Spanish waters in the sunbaked Caribbean. Its capital, Port Royal, a cuthroat town of taverns, grog shops and bawdy houses – the last place imaginable from which to launch an unthinkable attack on a nearby Spanish stronghold. Yet that is exactly what renowned privateer Captain Charles Hunter plans to do, with the connivance of Charles II's ruling governor, Sir James Almont. The target is Matanceros, guarded by the bloodthirsty Cazalla, and considered impregnable with its gun emplacements and sheer cliffs. Hunter's crew of buccaneers must battle not only the Spanish fleet but other deadly perils – raging hurricanes, cannibal tribes, even sea monsters. But if his ragtag crew succeeds, they will make not only history … but a fortune in gold.

Thoughts

Following my post about my favourite Crichton books, there was no way I was going to miss his last one. It’s pretty different to his normal technological stories, but he does cover plenty of genres so I think I’m going to have to stop pigeon-holing his work in my head.

The story is good, although I always worry when a book starts with a long list of characters, setting up the group for the rest of the pages. I am always concerned I’ll never remember them all, but of course, a good writer makes that problem go away, as Crichton inevitably does. It feels like one of those books you never really get too involved with, as it just follows the events as they happen, thus making it a page turner without you being emotionally invested.

After reading it, I had a quick search on the web and found that this was a book discovered on his computer after he died, along with an unfinished work that might also be published. I wish I hadn’t read that now. I’m not sure how I feel about reading things that might not be how the author wanted them to end up.

It also appears that Spielberg is turning this into a pirate film for the masses to enjoy. Crichton wrote so many books-turned-films, I wonder how the movie industry will go on without him.

Rating: 3 / 5