The Great Train Robbery (Michael Crichton)

The Great Train Robbery is the only Crichton book that I just flat out did not enjoy. It's probably been close to 25 years since I've read it, so it is hard to put specifics to it, but I just remember being appalled by the the actions of some of the main characters. They're criminals, so I get it, I shouldn't like them, but when the main characters don't give you anything to root for, it makes a book somewhat tedious.

Crichton includes lots of interesting and fun historical facts and anecdotes that give atmosphere and meaning to the story's plot points. I found it a very entertaining read.

Following Michael Crichton's untimely death, I decided to complete my library with his works. The GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY was the only one missing and, I must say, although not the usual Science-Thriller Crichton had accustomed us to, it had the writer's signature iconoclastic approach to everything he wrote about. Set in mid-19th century London, this novel is half historic travelogue through all strata of Victorian society and half an interesting roller-coaster ride on setting up and carrying through the infamous heist. The period dialogue gave me trouble in more than one occasion at first but after a while you get used to it and you barely notice it. This is one of the early works of Crichton and although some of his flaws as a writer are present, so are most of his strengths: the secondary characters are barely fleshed out; on the other hand, his acute perception, solid research and multifocal vision does not pause before shattering long-held misconceptions and prejudices. HIGH... Read more

It moves kind-of slow and uses language that is somewhat hard to understand. But overall, its a good story and a good look back onto history.

This book is great for history buffs and the more run of the mill fiction fans. Michael Crichton has veered away from his normal science fiction formula, but he has stayed with his classic fast paced action combined with intelligent dialog that his fans love. If you like Michael Crichton books then you should check it out. If you are a fan of historical fictions then you might enjoy this book even if his usual science fiction isn't for you. The only complaint is that there are a lot of era specific words being used that slow down the dialog at times. But, he usually does a good job of explaining them as he goes without too much distraction. Overall good book, I couldn't put it down.

In telling the true story of a major mid-nineteenth century crime, Crichton brings his novelist's sensibility to selecting the details that make the tale seem simultaneously real, and larger-than-life. His prose is straightforward and competent, and also evocative without being flowery. At the same time, he manages fairly well as a historian, offering some biting social critiques of the time in question, but also putting events in their proper historical context and filling modern audiences in on the necessary background (although he does fall short in this regard a couple of times when he attempts economic analysis). Despite the fact that the key figure, Pierce, is a contemptible blackguard, one has to admire his sheer daring and his incredibly intelligent cunning. It is almost as though he even planned his arrest and trial so that he would have an opportunity to tell his story on the record, and to make known his utter contempt for everything conventional (including the peers... Read more