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A review by soniek
The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton
5.0
I don't know how much of this book is fact and fiction, but it is one gripping narration of one of the most infamous and successful heists in human history. The narration keeps alive the suspense at the right moments, but the attention to details help fill in crucial gaps in the sequence of events. Probably this is one reason why the book manages to convey why the robbery was so amazing and makes the reader appreciate it despite being a crime.
The author has structured the book in such a way that things begin to fall in places like an elaborate jigsaw puzzle. There's a reason for every action and there's no unnecessary divergence. Every detail, be it about the characters and their personalities, the props (both people, buildings, items, even animals) have been described carefully so that the reader understands their role and importance in the heist. I couldn't help appreciate the sheer planning and cunning employed by Edward Pierce, the antagonist of this book.
But what makes it all the more interesting is when the author steps back to explain the situation in Victorian England, right from the political relationship between England and France, the industrial revolution and its impact on London (the slums) and people's lives, the lifestyle and the scope of law and morality in those times. Even sub plots like a "stolen" crate of rare wine and the infamous sepoy mutiny in India have been covered in detail, and how they influenced the great train robbery, are commendable.
Overall, this is one of the finest pieces of true crime stories which has been narrated in that same way old family tales are told (with a lot of relish, intriguing details and snippets) which entertain and enlighten people about a historical event.
I wouldn't mind reading this book again, and would definitely recommend it as a must read in its own genre.
The author has structured the book in such a way that things begin to fall in places like an elaborate jigsaw puzzle. There's a reason for every action and there's no unnecessary divergence. Every detail, be it about the characters and their personalities, the props (both people, buildings, items, even animals) have been described carefully so that the reader understands their role and importance in the heist. I couldn't help appreciate the sheer planning and cunning employed by Edward Pierce, the antagonist of this book.
But what makes it all the more interesting is when the author steps back to explain the situation in Victorian England, right from the political relationship between England and France, the industrial revolution and its impact on London (the slums) and people's lives, the lifestyle and the scope of law and morality in those times. Even sub plots like a "stolen" crate of rare wine and the infamous sepoy mutiny in India have been covered in detail, and how they influenced the great train robbery, are commendable.
Overall, this is one of the finest pieces of true crime stories which has been narrated in that same way old family tales are told (with a lot of relish, intriguing details and snippets) which entertain and enlighten people about a historical event.
I wouldn't mind reading this book again, and would definitely recommend it as a must read in its own genre.