I struggled a bit with this book. Mark Keating is, quite clearly, extremely knowledgable about all things to do with sailing, especially in the 18thC. He writes with skill and confidence about sailing, pirates and the social and economic background of his tale. His characters are drawn boldly and it's easy to picture each person as though they were standing in front of you, pistols and swords at the ready.
The story centres on the hunt for some letters, written by a French clergyman who lives in China and who has observed the fine details of Chinese porcelain making. These letters have been lost during the journey back from China to Europe and are now being sought by a shadowy fixer, who plans to use them in his own power games. Chinese porcelain was far superior to anything produced in Europe and owning the secret of its manufacture would make the owner a fortune, as well as giving him leverage in political power games.
The anti-hero of the story, the pirate Devlin, has to balance several personal aims and dangers, as well as avoiding capture by the forces of the British crown, when he takes on the quest for the letters. Through sea chases and battles across the Atlantic and the Caribbean, we follow his fortunes as they wax and wain. It's a rip roaring story of feuds, blood and mayhem in the traditional swashbuckling style.
However, the author appears to forget, or ignore, that not everyone who picks up his book is as familiar with sailing as he is. I almost got the feeling that he was doing it deliberately to show his superiority. Harsh? Perhaps, but I also struggled, occasionally, with his grammar. Sentences confused object and subject, leaving me to work out quite what he meant. He also slipped from one place, and one thread of the story, to another so quickly that I found myself re-reading several sentences to re-orientate myself.
All in all, a story spoiled unnecessarily.
Hunt for White Gold is published by Hodder and Stoughton, ISBN 978-0-340-99271-5
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Friday, 8 November 2013
Christ the Lord (The Road to Cana) by Anne Rice
Anne Rice is better known for her books about the supernatural, and particularly vampires. One of her books - "Interview with a Vampire" was made into a successful film of the same name, which starred Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. This is, however, her second book which gives a fictional account of Christ's life: the first is called "Out of Egypt".
This novel opens in Nazareth where Jesus (Yeshua, known as "the Sinless"), now approaching 30 years of age, lives with his extended family whilst earning his living in the family business of carpentry and building. Herod Antipas is the Roman's puppet "King" of Judea and Pontius Pilate has just been appointed as the new Roman Governor. The times are troubled and simmer with discontent as the Roman conquerers keep the Jewish people on a tight reign and tax them heavily.
The tale of Jesus' birth is well known but the event itself was 30 years ago and many are tired of waiting for what was promised. Many among his family and friends are urging him to marry, believing that the prophesies aren't going to be fulfilled and that he might as well settle down to a normal life, forgetting the strange circumstances of his birth.
But Jesus senses a change. He is being drawn deeper into his mission and is beginning to understand what will be required of him. After baptism by John, in the Jordan, and near death whilst on a retreat into the desert, the wedding of a relative in the village of Cana provides the backdrop of his first, true, miracle.
Anyone even half familiar with the Bible story of Christ will recognise the history, geography and social context of this fictionalised version of the beginning of his ministry. There is no written account of his life between his birth and baptism, except for one or two references in the Gospels, but this take on this part of his life rings true to the times. The story is told in Jesus' voice, and we can imagine some of his thoughts and conflicts during the weeks over which this story unfolds.
If you are a Christian of an old tradition, you might find this book, fiction as it is, to be offensive. Others might like to join the author in an imaginary history. It made me ponder, and that can't be a bad thing. Recommended.
"Christ the Lord" is published by Arrow Books, ISBN 978-0-099-48418-9
This novel opens in Nazareth where Jesus (Yeshua, known as "the Sinless"), now approaching 30 years of age, lives with his extended family whilst earning his living in the family business of carpentry and building. Herod Antipas is the Roman's puppet "King" of Judea and Pontius Pilate has just been appointed as the new Roman Governor. The times are troubled and simmer with discontent as the Roman conquerers keep the Jewish people on a tight reign and tax them heavily.
The tale of Jesus' birth is well known but the event itself was 30 years ago and many are tired of waiting for what was promised. Many among his family and friends are urging him to marry, believing that the prophesies aren't going to be fulfilled and that he might as well settle down to a normal life, forgetting the strange circumstances of his birth.
But Jesus senses a change. He is being drawn deeper into his mission and is beginning to understand what will be required of him. After baptism by John, in the Jordan, and near death whilst on a retreat into the desert, the wedding of a relative in the village of Cana provides the backdrop of his first, true, miracle.
Anyone even half familiar with the Bible story of Christ will recognise the history, geography and social context of this fictionalised version of the beginning of his ministry. There is no written account of his life between his birth and baptism, except for one or two references in the Gospels, but this take on this part of his life rings true to the times. The story is told in Jesus' voice, and we can imagine some of his thoughts and conflicts during the weeks over which this story unfolds.
If you are a Christian of an old tradition, you might find this book, fiction as it is, to be offensive. Others might like to join the author in an imaginary history. It made me ponder, and that can't be a bad thing. Recommended.
"Christ the Lord" is published by Arrow Books, ISBN 978-0-099-48418-9
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