Book Review - Black Wind by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler
Category Book Reviews
It's usually a time of anticipation when I get a new Clive Cussler novel. Even more so since it's been awhile since I had a good recreational read. I recently got Clive and Dirk Cussler's latest work, Black Wind from the library. And for the first time in quite awhile, I've actually had fun reading again.
Dirk Pitt (the father) hands over the reins of the story line to his son (Dirk Pitt "Jr?") and his daughter Summer. Dirk and Summer are called on to investigate a biological weapons find that dates back to the end of World War II and the Japanese military. The plan was to launch a biochemical attack against the United States from submarine-launched planes, but the subs are sunk before the attack can occur. But unbeknownst to the Pitts, they aren't the only group looking to recover the chemicals. A terrorist group with a definite agenda wants to complete the attack against the United States in order to help bring about their ultimate goals. And as with all Dirk Pitt novels (like father, like son), there are a number of life and death situations with miracle escapes and unexpected plot twists.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm probably biased towards giving this book a high rating. I've read far too much technical nonfiction material this year, and the few fiction titles I've had ended up being duds. Cussler, working with his son on this book, delivers another very good Dirk Pitt novel while introducing two new characters into leading positions (the son and daughter). While the interplay between the father and his good friend Giordino was sorely missed (but they both make an appearance here), I think Cussler's given himself some new material to play with. In reality, the difference between father and son are almost nonexistent. It's hard to remember that it's a different Dirk in the story. But really, it didn't make any difference to me. I enjoyed the read and I look forward to the next Cussler collaboration.
It's usually a time of anticipation when I get a new Clive Cussler novel. Even more so since it's been awhile since I had a good recreational read. I recently got Clive and Dirk Cussler's latest work, Black Wind from the library. And for the first time in quite awhile, I've actually had fun reading again.
Dirk Pitt (the father) hands over the reins of the story line to his son (Dirk Pitt "Jr?") and his daughter Summer. Dirk and Summer are called on to investigate a biological weapons find that dates back to the end of World War II and the Japanese military. The plan was to launch a biochemical attack against the United States from submarine-launched planes, but the subs are sunk before the attack can occur. But unbeknownst to the Pitts, they aren't the only group looking to recover the chemicals. A terrorist group with a definite agenda wants to complete the attack against the United States in order to help bring about their ultimate goals. And as with all Dirk Pitt novels (like father, like son), there are a number of life and death situations with miracle escapes and unexpected plot twists.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm probably biased towards giving this book a high rating. I've read far too much technical nonfiction material this year, and the few fiction titles I've had ended up being duds. Cussler, working with his son on this book, delivers another very good Dirk Pitt novel while introducing two new characters into leading positions (the son and daughter). While the interplay between the father and his good friend Giordino was sorely missed (but they both make an appearance here), I think Cussler's given himself some new material to play with. In reality, the difference between father and son are almost nonexistent. It's hard to remember that it's a different Dirk in the story. But really, it didn't make any difference to me. I enjoyed the read and I look forward to the next Cussler collaboration.
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Comments
i had so much fun reading rowling's work, it inspired me to start writing creatively again.
Posted by jonvon At 07:45:52 On 24/03/2005 | - Website - |
On the other hand, I've read all the "In Death" novels by J. D. Robb (Nora Roberts), and I've yet to dislike a single one.
In this case, if you've skipped the last couple of Cussler novels because you've burned out on the formula, this novel won't rejuvenate you. As I mentioned in the review, it's completely possible to forget you're reading about Dirk Jr. If you were to make the daughter a girlfriend, you'd be right back at the original formula. If they build out Summer's role, they can go in some different directions. But for right now, it's really just "more of the same".
Fortunately, I was ready for that "same".
The thing I kept thinking about on this novel was that within the last week or so I read a story of an undiscovered sunken Japanese sub off the coast of Hawaii, I believe. It's the same type and numbering scheme of the two subs in Cussler's novel. It tended to make the whole story a bit more believable... What if there *had* been an attempt to launch a biological weapon as a last resort?
Posted by Duffbert At 19:09:05 On 24/03/2005 | - Website - |
You are soooo right about Patricia Cornwell - serious sucksville these days. Ever get into Kathy Reichs? She has definitely filled Cornwell's vacuum. I love her books - must be the Biologist rising in me again
Posted by Kitty At 08:52:23 On 29/03/2005 | - Website - |
These were the guys who got me interested in learning about the Maya, when one of their stories was centred on a set of Mayan ruins.
Whatever else happens there is always that wonderful moment when Dirk rises like a pheonix from whatever pile of ashes he and Al created saving the day! Rattling good reads all of them.
Posted by Kitty At 05:45:07 On 24/03/2005 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 09:31:24 On 29/03/2005 | - Website - |
In fact, I used to do that as a kid...
But when I have five or so books going at once, it's usually a sign that none of them are too riveting...
Posted by Duffbert At 08:08:52 On 24/03/2005 | - Website - |
Do you think Cussler lost anything off his fastball over the last several books? Earlier Dirk Pitt stories were riveting (and, like Kitty, I was always thoroughly fascinated by the historical angles), but I found the most recent 5-6 of them to be, well, kind of self-parodies. Pitt and Giordino were TOO unbeatable, NUMA was TOO cool, and Cussler's insertion of himself into the stories got much too obvious. Or so it seemed to me.
Maybe I became a more demanding reader over time, but I really doubt it - I still cheerfully read mind candy at every opportunity. And I don't mind a series that has a lot of internal history - for example, I still love every Robert Parker Spenser ("with an 's' - like the English poet") story even though they're quite predictable.
I dunno, maybe the new characters and addition of his son as a writer would freshen it up for me? What do you think? If I disliked the last several books, to the point that I haven't even read the last 2, would I feel any differently about this one?
Posted by Rob McDonagh At 18:30:47 On 24/03/2005 | - Website - |