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A review by thinde
1632 by Eric Flint
5.0
"1632" is one of my favorite books to re-read. It may not be as complex as later novels in the series but it hits the mark with a great deal of force. This book could be used in a writer's masterclass to illustrate character development, emotionally impactful prose and how to string set-pieces together to create a driven plot.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:-
Alternate history ideas can be as subtle as one man making a different decision sometime in the past. "1632" is a little more dramatic. An entire mining town in West Virginia is sucked back in time and dropped in Northern Germany during a time of war, disease, and starvation. There are similarities between this book and the Nantucket series written by S M Stirling but "1632" is more in the adventure mold.
The narrative tends to focus on Mike Stearns, the mine's union leader, who seems to have more of what their new situation needs than most. Their survival hinges on making friends and allies as fast as possible.
There is a strong theme of American pride in this book. I'm not American so it might have been irritating. In the end, it comes across more as pride in modern man's culture, its achievements and the fiber of its people. Flint takes a long look at the moral differences that 450 years have made, just as much as he covers the technology gap. The locals take one look at these Americans, their confidence and their sense of freedom, and assume they are all aristocrats. For only princes could live a life without fear. It is this human element, that makes the novel so good.
As the series continues it becomes bogged down in the minutia of the setting and the action takes a back seat. Regardless, book one is a must-read.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:-
Alternate history ideas can be as subtle as one man making a different decision sometime in the past. "1632" is a little more dramatic. An entire mining town in West Virginia is sucked back in time and dropped in Northern Germany during a time of war, disease, and starvation. There are similarities between this book and the Nantucket series written by S M Stirling but "1632" is more in the adventure mold.
The narrative tends to focus on Mike Stearns, the mine's union leader, who seems to have more of what their new situation needs than most.
Spoiler
He reluctantly takes the reigns of a red-neck train that's on a collision course with the Holy Catholic Spanish army, amongst others. But the town has to take a few steps back in time themselves before they find a sustainable level of technology. In the meantime, some of their tricks are leaking to the enemy.There is a strong theme of American pride in this book. I'm not American so it might have been irritating. In the end, it comes across more as pride in modern man's culture, its achievements and the fiber of its people. Flint takes a long look at the moral differences that 450 years have made, just as much as he covers the technology gap. The locals take one look at these Americans, their confidence and their sense of freedom, and assume they are all aristocrats. For only princes could live a life without fear. It is this human element, that makes the novel so good.
As the series continues it becomes bogged down in the minutia of the setting and the action takes a back seat. Regardless, book one is a must-read.