Peter Town – creative practitioner - State of Fear by Michael Crichton

30 September, 2009

State of Fear by Michael Crichton

Crichton is an interesting character; he has created two powerful franchises, Jurassic Park and ER, one drawing on his keen life-long interest in science and the other his knowledge as a qualified MD. This says something about his undoubted intellect and is a considerable achievement.

In State of Fear he takes on the global warming movement in a very direct manner, repeatedly hacking away at the basic tenents of their arguments. The plot is fashioned to give plenty of opportunities for the protagonist to dismantle many widely held beliefs of the environmentalist and the wider public in set piece situations. This is an area that he feels passionate about and he has let this passion overplay its hand.

In this novel he makes the point that anyone who challenges or contradicts this powerful lobby often finds themselves ostracised and shunned. That assumption at least has been proved correct in his case.

Nonetheless Crichton makes an important point, and perhaps this was his original intention. People are far easier to govern and manipulate if they are in a constant state of fear, the Cold War being the prime example. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Crichton sites a series of scares from cancer-causing overhead power cables to swarms of killer bees as examples. Since this book was published in 2000 the hysteria of fear has ratcheted up a dozen notches. No one could takes issue with Crichton on this central plank of the novel.

30 September, 2009

Let it Bleed by Ian Rankin

I thought that I would try a Rebus novel as Rankin has a huge following. I was sceptical and did not set my expectations too high. The central character, a middle-aged dysfunctional semi-alcoholic divorced detective has become a stereotype and I was not convinced that I would discover anything new. R D Wingfield’s Frost has been a firm favourite of mine and I have also enjoyed Colin Dexter’s Morse, but for me the gold standard has always been Marlowe, Raymond Chandler’s downbeat private eye, as yet unchallenged.

I found myself enjoying Let it Bleed more than I had anticipated despite common themes; crooked councillors, kind hearted crooks, a female boss who happens to be an ex-lover, a serious drink problem and failing to leave the case alone. Rebus is suspended from duty allowing him to continue to pursue the case.

So what did I like? Ian Rankin draws the Rebus character well despite the stereotypes. He does this by not describing him directly but by describing Rebus’ reactions to events. I particularly liked tehe way he used Rebus’ toothache to fill out the character. I also detected Rankin’s love as well as his frustration with his home – Scotland. The novel describes the intrigues of local politics in a very comprehensible manner.

30 September, 2009

Praying for Sleep by Jeffery Deaver

Jeffery Deaver is a prolific writer with around 30 novels to his credit. Best known for The Bone Collector he is an accomplished crime / thriller writer who has worked as a journalist and a practising lawyer. His main characters are often lawyers and his research shows his journalistic skills.

Praying for Sleep is one of his earlier novels and I was not sure what to make of it, although I confess it was a good read with a climactic ending with all the ends neatly tied.

The story had multiple strands, several locations to remember and at least four characters on the move at any one time; this all leant itself to being the basis of a good film although it was hard to follow at times in the written form.

There were some familiar, what I would term ‘American themes’, the main one being the great outdoors with rugged scenery and armed, skilful hunters pursuing their prey. There was also the selfish pursuit of wealth leading to downfall, the colonial style home and an uptight, repressed main female character. There was also the wicked father, which seems to be an evermore-common theme these days.

The novel centres on Hrubeck who escapes from a mental institution; his background, medical condition and mental state are very well described. Hrubeck is a perfectly believable character who has the reader’s sympathy throughout.

This novel is well put together and although not polished, the quality and ambition of the plot more than made up for some rough passages. I was also impressed by its wide audience appeal, perhaps that is why it made me think film.

June 4, 2008

The Pool

The written word is an important way to communicate and for most people being able to put ideas and proposals down on paper is a useful skill. Over the years I have had plenty of opportunity to do that and I have also done some scribbling in the background.

This has not only made me appreciate what real writers do, but also added a flourish to my copy writing.

I have recently completed The Pool, a novel conceived one summer while sitting by the hotel swimming pool as a story for baby-boomers in reflective mood. If you would be interested in knowing more and reading an excerpt from The Pool then click here.

January 14, 2010

Authors Review Index

Hitman Diaries By Danny King

A black comedy centred around an assassin with no trace of a conscience

Silence of the Grave By Arnaldur Indridason

A powerful murder mystery from this Icelandic crime writer

Looking Good Dead By Peter James

You might be better off taking this advice

Dune By Frank Herbert

A great sci-fi adventure which was the inspiration for the Star Wars phenomenon

Here lies Arthur By Philip Reeve

Thoroughly enjoyable historical fantasy, especially for grown-ups who like a good tale