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

[CoMickey]

Hi - I finished the book this weekend. I liked it - didn't love it. It was a fast read but some of it was far fetched. White out - I don't want to spoil anything. I wish there would have been more detail on what was going on in Port Royal while Hunter and gang were away and also what was happening on the Cassandrea. I had an idea that Sansone was going to make off with the treasure he had but would have like to have been in his head during that time.

I will be interested to read everyone's reviews as they finsh the book.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I got to thinking a lot about something that was nagging me about the book in the back of my mind, and I finally figured out what it was. The predictable movie-like plot devices. Just like someone else mentioned in Ocean's 11, and I mentioned in The Magnificent Seven / Seven Samurai. (And another movie plot device I didn't mention because it happens near the end of the book.)

Not only did I find myself bored by the plot devices, it finally dawned on me that I was bothered with the book because it started to read like a screenplay. I hated that.

I'm not sure I'm following. Could you elaborate on what you mean by movie-like plot devices?

I'm curious to see the movie version once it comes out. I don't get the feeling that this is written like a screenplay, but that could just be me.
I just view it as a normal "boy" adventure story.

It appears that MC is very accurate when depicting life, pirates, weaponry etc. I learned that there were 2 female pirates that were very well known and highly respected during the Golden Age of Piracy. I was surprised but it makes sense if society was so restrictive for females that they would want to be part of a more democratic system. Still. Lazue seems to be an accurate representation....the real life ones were so fierce they were put on the landing team (or whatever it was called) and those pirates were known to be the most fierce and ruthless.

Does anyone else wonder why the pirates/stories about pirates from long ago are so much more fascinating/intriguing but modern day pirates are loathsome and frightening?

While I have heard of female pirates before, what my comment was referring to was this concept of cross-dressing and/or transgenderism. I'm not sure how either were received back then other than what I know of women being oppressed.

I don't find pirates loathsome and frightening either in the books or real world. Perhaps I am just too distanced from the idea that it does not register as something that could really exist. I think Pirates of the Caribbean brought some of the more gruesome side of pirates into my understanding. I'm not finding what is being discussed in Pirate Latitudes too different though. I know others have commented that they are ill from some of the actions or descriptions mentioned, but that hasn't happened to me as of yet.

Can I just say how excited about this book club I am. I've finished the book and really enjoyed it. I would never have read it if it wasn't for this book club. I love the idea of going beyond my usual boundries of book picks.

I can't agree more with you. I never would have picked this book up on my own and feel it is a real benefit of our group here on the DIS.

As to the question of why we find pirates fascinating I think it's a mulit-facated answer. Part is because of Disney. The 3 Pirate movies have been absorbed into our popular culture. Captain Jack Sparrow anyone?

Part is because pirates are part of a history that is geographically close to the United States or even part of the US, like Florida. In the travel that I've done to the Caribbean, almost all of the Islands have some sort of history with pirates and most of them capitialise on this history with pirate stores, merchandise, mueseums, pirate cruises, pirate festivals, etc.

And, I think part is because everyone likes to think they have a little pirate in them -- that "take what you want, give nothing back" attitude. Pirates are naughty. You know they are not good people, but sometimes you just want to root for them. Also remember, when it comes to most pirates it's all about what side you were on. One country's pirate is another country's national hero.

Pirates represent adventure, freedom, the high-seas. That sounds like so much fun -- even if the reality of it wasn't.

I agree. I think pirates represent a fantasy that some of us crave. It's all abotu the high-seas, adventure, merriment, and treasure. Who wouldn't be intruged by it?

However, after saying all that, would I go see the movie if it came out? You betcha!

Now that we've been reading and discussing it, I'll definitely be seeing it!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Arrgghhhh, mateys!!!!

I just wanted to post a link here to remind everyone of our reading schedule and how we'll move forward. See Post #126 if you are unsure as to how to participate in our discussion.

UPDATED Reading & Discussion Schedule as of March 10

Part II - March 13
Part III - March 17
Part IV - March 22

Part III is titled "Mantanceros" and features a pretty intense scene involving life or death towards the very beginning. Beginning on page 132, Hunter uses a makeshift sling to climb the very top of a cliff during the storm. "Suddenly, there was a break in the pattern. No more ascent" (133). He then quickly realized that he was about to fall as the "sling rope snapped and came twisting and shaking down on his head and shoulders."

Fortunately for one of our main characters, Hunter was able to manuever his body up the cliff although it was not done with ease:

"His body began to arc back toward the cliff. He braced himself for the impact, and then it came, slamming the breath out of his lungs. He gave an involuntary cry, and hung there, gasping for breath...His mind ceased to function...The world around him became silent, no sound of rain, no scream of wind, nothing at all, not even the grasp of his own breath. The world wasy gray, and he was lost in the grayness" (133-134).

This was a pretty powerful scene, don't you think? Hunter needed to be quick on his feet and figure out a way to scale the cliff or face ultimate peril. How would you react in a situation like this? Would you be able to remain calm as did Hunter? Have you ever faced a life or death situation like this?

 

[tardis1029]

The book is a good choice, it's a quick read and exciting. I'm new at this commenting part but I am enjoying the book.http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/pirate.gif PS Hacklett is a twit. - Micki

 

[BriarRosie]

I'm not sure I'm following. Could you elaborate on what you mean by movie-like plot devices?

I'm talking about the tried and true movie cliché of getting a rag-tag bunch of misfits together, each who has a special skill to bring to the party. Throw in the quirks and nicknames like The Jew or The Moor, and you've got a movie-ready plot device straight from Central Casting.

The other plot device I'll talk about in white out.

I noticed that Hunter systematically created a list of people responsible for his tribunal, and then goes about his revenge, killing them one by one. While "Munich" was actually based on the real tragedy of the Munich Olympics of 1972, those responsible for the terrorist act were hunted one by one. Another example I thought of was Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill". But the Hacklett groin shooting was the "poetic justice" I alluded to in an earlier post. Hunter didn't have to do that one.

I guess I'm more annoyed with the contrived movie plot devices than most of you.

 

[cj9200]

My computer was down last week so I had plenty of free time and blew through the book. Thought it was OK in what I term fluff reading. Somewhat predictable and nothing really stood out as “that was really an interesting (and plausible) twist.” I won’t say that it was a paint by numbers book but I agree with others that it seemed more like a movie treatment than a novel. Enjoyable, yes. Memorable, no.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I'm almost at the end of the book. I think at this point I'd give it a 3 out 5. That is what I give to movies that ok. Not horrible but not extra special either. It kept me interested. Comments on part VI in white:

I was surprised about what had been happening while they were gone. That got interesting for me. I knew that guy was up to no good. On the one hand, by not telling us what was happening there made it a surprise to us as it was to the "pirates" when they returned. On other hand, a little look here and there would have been interesting. I'm not through yet, but it seems to be wrapping up rather easily.

 

[Applemomma]

This was a pretty powerful scene, don't you think? Hunter needed to be quick on his feet and figure out a way to scale the cliff or face ultimate peril. How would you react in a situation like this? Would you be able to remain calm as did Hunter? Have you ever faced a life or death situation like this?

Thankfully I've never had to face a life and death situation (unless i've blocked it from memory!) but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have reacted like Hunter. I'd have been more like Lazue..."MOTHER OF GOD! MOTHER OF GOD! MOTHER OF GOD!"

I really like the way MC wrote this scene though....I could really picture the whole scene and feel the adreniline.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Hahaha. I agree! I so would have been screaming "OH MY GOD!" at the top of my lungs in a situation like that!!!!

 

[lttlmc3]

Hahaha. I agree! I so would have been screaming "OH MY GOD!" at the top of my lungs in a situation like that!!!!

I probably would have thrown up and cried.

 

[Hankshouse]

I heard "Cliff Climbing" will be the next adventure ride at WDW! Having never read Crichton before, I was speaking to a friend of mine who is an avid reader and has read several of his books and she says this style of "all plot and action, no character development" is definitely his "thing". I also disagree that he wrote this with a movie in mind. I believe it's the other way around. His style of writing lends itself to being recreated on the big screen. And look at how successful it's been!

I know that I for one would never have made it to the top of the cliff. Considering that I was the kid in gym class who could never climb more than a quarter inch up the rope, I'm pretty sure I'd be a goner. Thankfully, I have never had a life or death situation that required rope climbing skills. Or otherwise

I've read people mentioning that this is not normally a book they'd read themselves. Well, that's the beauty of book clubs! Just wait a year from now when we look back and see all the books we've read. It's fantastic!!

 

[wildfan1473]

This was a pretty powerful scene, don't you think? Hunter needed to be quick on his feet and figure out a way to scale the cliff or face ultimate peril. How would you react in a situation like this? Would you be able to remain calm as did Hunter? Have you ever faced a life or death situation like this?

I'd never been in a life or death situation (unless you count snowmobiling on a frozen lake stiff with fear that you're going to hit open water with 30 pounds of gear on), but I'd like to think I'd have some wits about me to keep going and do what needs to be done and survive.

Unfortunately, with the way I panic about the simplest things...I'd be dead in a heartbeat.

Finished the book the other night. (I got a notice from the library that since it was an inter-library loan, it was only available for 2 weeks, and I couldn't renew it. I really do not like our small town library ) I liked it, I would have eventually read it as it was on my list. It wasn't a can't-put-down book, but it was entertaining. Most of it was predictable, although I must say, I love the poetic justice at the end!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I heard "Cliff Climbing" will be the next adventure ride at WDW! Having never read Crichton before, I was speaking to a friend of mine who is an avid reader and has read several of his books and she says this style of "all plot and action, no character development" is definitely his "thing". I also disagree that he wrote this with a movie in mind. I believe it's the other way around. His style of writing lends itself to being recreated on the big screen. And look at how successful it's been!

I know that I for one would never have made it to the top of the cliff. Considering that I was the kid in gym class who could never climb more than a quarter inch up the rope, I'm pretty sure I'd be a goner. Thankfully, I have never had a life or death situation that required rope climbing skills. Or otherwise

I've read people mentioning that this is not normally a book they'd read themselves. Well, that's the beauty of book clubs! Just wait a year from now when we look back and see all the books we've read. It's fantastic!!

I was also this kid in P.E. class! That's a great connection you have made to the book.

Thanks for being so positive about the group. I'm loving it as well!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Hi All,

Please feel free to begin discussing Part III here. It focuses on the crew's arrival in Mantanceros. What are your thoughts? Did you find anything particularly problematic or relieving in this section?

 

[A.Mickey]

SPOILER for end of Part II

I just started reading Part III today! I am totally loving this book so far! It is not something I would have ever picked up for myself at the library. I am really enjoying reading all the posts and learning about the times back then.

I love how descriptive the book is, it plays or reads just like a movie.

I can't believe they escaped Cazella's ship!
That was impressive...there seemed to be quite a few soldiers on the ship! Weren't 20 just suppose to look over them?

I can't wait to see what happens on Mantanceros!!

And I really hope we keep doing these book clubs for a long time to come!!

 

[esddk]

I am enjoying this book but do agree that it seems written with a movie in mind.

One thing bothered me in the climb of the cliff and I apologize if it was covered earlier. I read quite a few posts and didn't see it. How did the Moor get his rope to the top of the cliff so he could climb up first? It did say he climbed a rope and it seems like a long way to throw a grappling hook.

Thanks for the interesting discussion points. I definitely would have been screaming in Hunter's place and don't think I would have survived without a miracle.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I agree with you about that, Susan. I don't understand how that entire rope climbing situation began. I felt it was a bit off in the description of it. I have this image in my head of a huge cliff and the author even describes it as this incredibly dangerous point on the island. If that's so, how did the hook get thrown up there with such ease? Anyone else have ideas about this?

 

[PinkBudgie]

Funny, I never thought of it until everyone pointed it out.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Hi All!

Have you had enough Mantaceros? Are you finished "monkeying" around at Monkey Bay? Things have been relatively quiet here over the past 2-3 days so I just wanted to get a progress update. Is everyone ready to move on to Part v and VI? If not, I'll wait a bit to post the next deadlines. Otherwise, I'll post them here tomorrow. Please check in and let me know where you are in the book for those of you who are still reading. I know a bunch finished it already, but also recognize that many are sticking with the schedule.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

SPOILER for end of Part II

I just started reading Part III today! I am totally loving this book so far! It is not something I would have ever picked up for myself at the library. I am really enjoying reading all the posts and learning about the times back then.

I love how descriptive the book is, it plays or reads just like a movie.

I can't believe they escaped Cazella's ship!
That was impressive...there seemed to be quite a few soldiers on the ship! Weren't 20 just suppose to look over them?

I can't wait to see what happens on Mantanceros!!

And I really hope we keep doing these book clubs for a long time to come!!

I was shocked at the amount of soldiers on the ship, too! The happenings on Mantanceros ran a bit slow for me, but picked up during the end. I hated the scene with the snake and Lazue. I'm very sensitive to animal cruelty and the image of the little chick being tied up for bait just made me ill. I noticed that the author never revealed what happened to the chick either. I'm assuming it was okay, but am not so sure.