The Very First Dis Book Club Discussion Thread - The Pirate Latitudes

[mainegal]

Are no relationships sacred during this time period or is this something that
is limited to Port Royal?

Nope! Especially in the middle / upper classes, I think marriages were to make a match to get ahead, to enlarge family wealth through money or land. Lots of "fooling around" on the side with both partners knowing, but ignoring.

 

[mainegal]

..... you really should hear in audio the whole scene with Hacklett's face in the food....the narrator does a fantastic job!

Oh, yes! I am listening in the car. The narrator is great. Hacklett's voice coming from the plateful of food was fabulous! I read the book in print last night and it wasn't as good for me at all. I ended up skimming some passages and I ma sure I missed things. I will continue to listen. This was I get all the words.

 

[jpeka65844]

I currently reading the parts where Hunter is rounding up his crew. Anyone else thinks it plays like Ocean's 11?? Everyone has a specialty???

As long as we're casting the movie, I see Jeremey Renner or James Purefoy as Hunter.....Hmmm.....

 

[Bornteach]

I found it fascinating about the plague and how everyone was surprised by this!

Also, the character of Whisper and how he lives in a backroom of a "respectable inn" was fascinating to me!


I think I am a little further ahead but has anyone got to the description of how Hunter's brother was killed???

 

[PinkBudgie]

More Part 1 discussion.....scroll fast if you aren't through it yet!

Also he's pretty bent on protecting Hunter from the lable of pirate ..... you really should hear in audio the whole scene with Hacklett's face in the food....the narrator does a fantastic job!

I could just picture him with his face in his plate.
I think the govenor isn't protecting Hunter because he is being honorable but because Hunter is a sorce of money for the govenor and the king. That wimpy guy doesn't understand how it is done on the islands. They are pretty much left to themselves and expected to send money to the king. If Hunter were called a pirate than the govenor would be associating with pirates so that is why that label can't be used. They can do what they want as long as they simply maintain a certain appearance. I'm interested to see what comes of the conflict between Hacklett and the govenor.

I found it fascinating about the plague and how everyone was surprised by this!

Also, the character of Whisper and how he lives in a backroom of a "respectable inn" was fascinating to me!


I think I am a little further ahead but has anyone got to the description of how Hunter's brother was killed???

Yep, read that and tried to forget.

 

[Bornteach]

Ok, I had my first audible gasp today!


I have no idea where people are in their reading......



Lets just say I was SHOCKED at who the Captain was....

Anyone else??

 

[bedillamouse]

I also don't normally post but would like to join the book club. I will begin reading the book soon! Thanks for setting this up!

 

[Applemomma]

I think I am a little further ahead but has anyone got to the description of how Hunter's brother was killed???

We find out in Part 2 but it isn't really dwelled on but adds to the understanding of why he's more anxious to attack this particular Spaniard then perhaps another.

 

[Applemomma]

Ok, I had my first audible gasp today!


I have no idea where people are in their reading......



Lets just say I was SHOCKED at who the Captain was....

Anyone else??

Read the whole thing twice now in audio (listened to part one for the third time today....yes I'm a little odd that way) .....got to give me a few more hints.....what part?

 

[Bornteach]

Wait.....part two?

I thought I was still in part one. Ok, I don't want to post out of school!


I will wait.

 

[Applemomma]

Wait.....part two?

I thought I was still in part one. Ok, I don't want to post out of school!


I will wait.

I believe Part 1 ends just as they set sail for the expedition (Nikki correct me if I'm wrong). We find out about Hunters brother in a "discussion" he has with the enemy in Part 2.

You might be thinking of the story The Jew tells of his son which is indeed

I've stopped my mp3 player at the end of Part 1 and I'm not hitting play again until we get there as a group so I don't get confused as to what happened when ..... until then we talk in code

 

[wildfan1473]

Trying to get caught up here...

What are your thoughts on these hygiene products? If you lived in the 1600s, would you feel comfortable using them? What was the most interesting part of Chapter 1 for you?

Earthworms?!?! Oil of a red-haired dog? OMG, I have to use gloves when handling raw meat This girl is on sensory overload with the items being used! I could not even begin to imagine brushing my teeth with powdered rabbit’s head, or drying my teeth with a silk cloth. As far as the other toiletries, like another poster said, I avoid wearing makeup now, so I’m guessing I would look like one of the women prisoners, lol.

The most interesting part of Chapter 1 would be how much the Governor actually did as far as his toilet was concerned…how many men do you know today that go through all of this work for their appearance? Quite ironic, I think, given this conversation:

We had an interesting conversation in my ethics class about this subject. That, in earlier days which we considered opressive to females, the days before technology and modern household appliances which allowed a "lady" to do her own chores, women were typically more active outside the home and usually more "liberated".

The invention of modern household technology promoted a "do it yourself" attitude that kept more women at home and bound to the kitchen, if you know what I mean; resulting in a less liberated woman. Interesting viewpoint....

Are no relationships sacred during this time period or is this something that is limited to Port Royal?

In most of the historical fiction I have read, having extra marital affairs is quite common, particularly among the Royalty and their Court. Marriages seem to have been made for position and power, not for love; sex (can I say that here? ) is strictly for pleasure, and, in some cases, a cure for boredom.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Yup, you're right. Part I ends just as they are setting sail.

More later

 

[beachwarmer]

Hi all. I just finished reading Part I and hope to join in on the discussion.

It is interesting to me the choices that the women characters are making. Anne seems to be using men for her survival. Emily Hacklett is using men as well. It is implied that she and the King had relations. It is interesting that in Port Royale she picked Hunter over the Govenor as the power individual in the colony. She seems to have a better understanding of the colony politics and power structure than her husband. It will be interesting to see if she made the correct choice.

 

[lttlmc3]

Yay! I was finally able to get the book from the library! I'm going to start it n now!!

 

[mainegal]

A couple thoughts...

This is not a book I would ordinarily read. If I was not listening to it, I am sure I would not continue. The reader so makes the book come alive for me!

Last time I got off Pirates of the Caribbean, I had a very uneasy and uncomfortable feeling. It was not a pleasant ride for me. I did not enjoy the glorification of pirates. They were not nice people. They treated other people cruelly.

I am getting the same feeling with this book. The descriptions of death and torture turn my stomach. I am not enjoying at all! If I was reading the printed page, I am sure I would skim over. Instead, I have this great reader describing all the gory details! Aurrgghhh!

 

[Plutes]

I'm so upset I didn't realize you guys were doing this sooner! That's what I get for being away from the boards for a couple of weeks!

I'm in the middle of another book at the moment, but I'll definitely try to catch up with you all once I charge up my kindle!

This is a great idea, and Nikki, you're doing an amazing job! I have to laugh whenever I read your posts on here, because they just sound so...ummm....professional? Is that the right word? LOL You sound like a book club expert!

I hope I get a chance to catch up soon! If not, I'll definitely be joining you all for Round 2!

 

[wildfan1473]

I found it fascinating about the plague and how everyone was surprised by this!

Also, the character of Whisper and how he lives in a backroom of a "respectable inn" was fascinating to me!


I think I am a little further ahead but has anyone got to the description of how Hunter's brother was killed???

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was quite a visual that I think I could have done without!

As far as the discussion of whether or not this should have been published without his consent after his death, and the questions about whether or not he did actually write this...I agree, this is not a normal topic for MC. However, the attention to detail and the use of the time-specific language are very much his style. He avidly researches the subjects of his books and leaves no stone unturned. It will be interesting to see where all of this leads.

 

[mainegal]

I think I am a little further ahead but has anyone got to the description of how Hunter's brother was killed???

And it only gets worse!

But, please, don't let that stop you from continuing with the book. I am sure the descriptions of death and torture are true to the times. And is perhaps still happening now? I just don't like thinking about it. And I don't enjoying reading about it.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I have been laid up the last few days with a wicked bout of sciatica.

I can lay down or stand comfortably. Sitting is an issue.

That all being said....I have finished The Pirate Latitudes (I'm sorry Nikki.....it was that or watch Paula Deen "ball" shrimp)

I think this is definitely Michael Crichton's work. It reads very much like his other works.

I think this is much more of an adventure yarn, then a historical work about pirates.

Pirates were not nice people. That's what makes them pirates.