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hannah_cook's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
steve_hayer's review against another edition
3.0
Quite enjoyed it. Needed a dictionary for all the slang terms, though.
nicholasgrantgarcia's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, captivating plot, intriguing characters, the whole package. Remarkable that it's actually a true story. too legit. Would recommend.
chutten's review against another edition
4.0
Well-plotted enough that I come away from it thinking that it must have been made up and not true at all.
embriggs15's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
cassie7e's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Really enjoyed the descriptions of Victorian quirks.
The editorializing about crime and its cause felt shallow and ignorant of systemic factors, and generally didn't consider capitalism as affecting people's behaviors. But this book was written before those things were a large part of the public awareness, and I can see why a story about a guy who proudly made a huge heist would reinforce the idea that crime isn't caused by poverty or lack of social support.
I found this book much more enjoyable than his true-story-based pirate book.
The editorializing about crime and its cause felt shallow and ignorant of systemic factors, and generally didn't consider capitalism as affecting people's behaviors. But this book was written before those things were a large part of the public awareness, and I can see why a story about a guy who proudly made a huge heist would reinforce the idea that crime isn't caused by poverty or lack of social support.
I found this book much more enjoyable than his true-story-based pirate book.
thenschultz's review against another edition
3.0
I have finally determined that Michael Crichton and I might not get along so well. His documentary-like writing does not work for me overall. This book was 60% exposition that halted the story for long periods of time and there was never truly any suspense in the storytelling. Crichton seems to love exposition and long drops into science or history in his books and while it can at times be interesting, it is not what I enjoy reading.
kristenjane's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was intriguing, entertaining, funny, kept me guessing, and allowed me to learn of different historical elements I was completely unaware of. I loved the wya Crichton painted the main mastermind, and the intense strategies that were used to plan the robbery. This was a great book!
danibeliveau's review against another edition
4.0
The Great Train Robbery reads with all the fast-paced excitement of the plot to Ocean's Eleven, but set in Victorian London. The characters' speech seemed authentic (if hilariously inscrutable) and Crichton's ability to explain, seamlessly and concisely, the more bizarre and unfamiliar aspects of the time period added a fascinating additional layer to the story. The reader knows from the start how it all shakes out, yet Crichton unravels each layer of the heist in such a way that makes it very fun to follow along.