FIFTH WEEK: 'The Great Train Robbery'

'The Great Train Robbery' by Michael Crichton
281 pages



"The key is everything in the lay, the problem and the solution."

It felt good to finally read another Michael Crichton. This one was different to some of his more recent ones, but it was still just as exciting. I think it was the 19th Century setting that was really different (even though i think this was one of his first novels) because Crichton has a way of describing all the technology that is involved in the story. I think Timeline was one of the best examples of this where he 'explains' the time-travel using interference patterns and multiverse theory, rather than just telling readers 'hey, look, we can time travel somehow. Let's do it.' So it feels as though i actually learned something from reading this book.

He used criminal jargon alot, but i got used to it and it helped me become immersed in the story. Books are always more enjoyable that way. I think this story is a fictionalised account of a specific train robbery in the past, so i guess there is a little history in there too.

It's sad to know that Crichton won't be writing any more books as he passed away recently, but he has two posthumous novels: Pirate Latitudes which is apparently a spiritual successor to this novel, and another unnamed novel which he finished a third of before his death. I've got Jurassic Park and Lost World upstairs, so they will probably both appear on here at some point. :P

FOURTH WEEK: 'Relentless'

'Relentless' by Dean Koontz
356 pages

"You can’t overestimate his capabilities. He doesn’t give you breathing room. He keeps coming back and back, and back. He’s relentless."

Wow! Just WOW! This...'book' (if you could even call it that) really made me reconsider how much I like Dean Koontz. It pains me to say it, because some of his earlier books were terrific, perhaps not the 'master of our darkest dreams' which is printed on all his books (i've reserved that right for King at the moment) but he could do (supernatural) thrillers well. Lately, he has gone so far downhill, I probably wont read another one of his books for some time.

Surprisingly it started off quite well, got into the drama quite quickly and suspense was build but the story didn't go anywhere. The plot 'twist' was horrific. Utter rubbish. Like he got bored with the book and didnt know how to finish it so he made up something that didn't fit the rest of the book. The characters were boooorrrriiingg, and stupid. Nothing frustrates me more than a stupid character. I wanted to scream at them.

Koontz also has the tendency to describe every detail and uses wayyyyyyyyy too many metaphors. They drove me bonkers. :S He can slip messages about society into his books quite well and i enjoyed those in Relentless...and that was pretty mush all i enjoyed.

Do yourself a favour. Don't touch this thing with a ten foot pole.