Sat 8 Oct 2005
Audio Book Review: The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton
Posted by Paul Clip under History , Mysteries & Thrillers , Nonfiction
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"The Great Train Robbery" by Michael Crichton Length: 3 hours ISBN:    Listen to an excerpt with: Windows Media Player Real Player |
Michael’s Crichton’s book, The Great Train Robbery, is not what I think of as a “typical” Crichton novel. For starters it’s set in the past, not the near-future like Jurassic Park. Next, and here’s the biggest departure for me, this book is a historical novel. The story is based on real events, chronicled in detail by the newspapers of the day.
The Great Train Robbery describes a daring bullion heist that took place in Victorian England during the mid-1850s. The book is mainly told from the perspective of master criminal Edward Pierce, equally at home in high society as he is in the roughest parts of London. For anyone who enjoys a good thriller, there’s a lot to like: interesting characters, a great plot, close shaves, and the end… Well, I’ll leave that bit out :-)
Two things made this book a real “CD-turner” for me. First and foremost is the perspective it gives the listener on England in the middle of the 19th century: the squalor people lived in; how laws were dramatically skewed towards the rich; the role, position, and expectations placed on women; the beliefs of the times; etc. Second was stepping into Pierce’s shoes and trying to imagine how he would surmount each of the obstacles placed between him and the gold. For anyone with a technical bent, this will be a lot of fun.
Finally, I should mention Simon Prebble’s masterful narration. Having grown up in London, I can tell you that Prebble’s many accents were spot on and they certainly added to my enjoyment of the book.
Sadly, it doesn’t look like Amazon sells the audio book (it does sell abridged cassette and mp3 versions but, trust me, you want the whole story). Recorded Books sells the Library CD Edition. It’s really expensive but they also offer the option of borrowing it. Before you do so, take a look at your local library, they may have it (mine did!).
Tags: great train robbery, michael crichton, history, mystery, train robbery, audiobook, nonfiction, victorian england, london
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