Pirate Latitudes – Novel – Michael Crichton - A Review

Upon Michael Crichton's death in 2008, from a long fight with cancer, a fully completed manuscript was discovered in his extensive files, so named Pirate Latitudes. Crichton's literary estate, thought it prudent to publish the MS immediately, whereupon the reviews were mixed, yet sold millions. As a reader of Crichton for decades, I purchased the novel and stuffed it into my bookshelf, in a gesture of respect, to read for another time. It has been years, to finally read the novel, and to be sure, the time was worth the wait.

Crichton's critics over the many decades of his work, had only one significant criticism. Novel after novel, a review would state: “Mr. Crichton's plot and organisation, including the difficult scientific content, lacks in true characterisation. In a word, his actors fall flat, leaving the reader wondering, what are their backgrounds, [...] etc.” It can be argued from a literary standpoint, that in most of (his) novels, character was never the main focus. Because of content, all of Crichton's tales were information-driven, and plot-driven, to push home his stated premise(s). Although Pirate Latitudes moves at an incredibly swift pace, the characters come across as actual human beings, with all their strengths,weakness, foibles and iconoclastic sensibilities.

Our main character and hero, Charles Hunter, is an American-born, educated gentleman with a acute unreasonableness, a crude sense of purpose, and a moral stance in terms of the basic virtues. Of course he is handsome, strong and a ladies man, with a Casanovian flair. Hunter's character is revealed through his actions in the book - following the old writing adage, to “show” not “tell'. We come to know all the characters well, as the plot travels forward, adding a layered richness to the story.

One who is familiar with any of Crichton's novels, knows that his research into the subject matter is quite extensive. In Pirate Latitudes, 17 century maritime history is explored, informing the reader of British and Spanish relation at the time. We receive an insight into the ravage and inhumane actions of colonialism, where those that ruled the sea, ruled the world.

Anyone acquainted with the gratuitous violence of the 17 century, that is torture, witch burning and blatant genocide of many indigenous races across the planet, would not be surprised in the gratuitous violence in this novel. It's as if, the author is stating a point, never holding back, in his unrelenting descriptive violence, ensuring Realism, on every turn of the page.

In the end, a novel should be entertaining. In all of Crichton's books, however, the reader is not only entertained, but educated at the same time. This made all Crichton's books, a pleasure to read.

We miss Michael Crichton and his work.