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Literature & Fiction |
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The Navigator: A Kurt Austin Adventure (The Numa Files)
written by Clive Cussler, Paul Kemprecos
Studio : Large Print Press
by Large Print Press
Publisher : Large Print Press
Released : 2008-07-15
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9781594132643
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 58 reviews)
List Price : $13.95
Our Price : $9.06
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Product Description |
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The most remarkable novel yet in the number-one New York Times-bestselling series. |
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Mundane |
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I hadn't read Cussler before so was looking forward to a good vacation read. I was a bit disappointed by the story line, which sounded fairly typical. Although the book ended well, the predictability was not appreciated. So I thought it was pretty average. |
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Fast-Paced, Predictable and Eminently Readable |
There's nothing like a good Clive Cussler story for adventure, pacing and setting. Even those he has co-authored -- as he has The Navigator with Paul Kemprecos -- are real page-turners. Reading Cussler's Dirk Pitt and Kurt Austin novels is a guilty pleasure of many of my friends who would not want to admit in public that they enjoy him.
Cussler does not, however, excel at characterization. Those who populate his stories are cardboard cut-out figures stood against exotic and sometimes threatening backdrops. They have one-page resumes that are impressive both for their power and for their narrow focus. Never do his characters stop to question their orders, assess their loyalties or doubt their abilities. Never does one of his characters emerge from the considerable danger and violence through which he or she passes with any different character or personality than at the outset of the tale.
For those of us who enjoy reading stories for story's sake, that's a forgivable sin. But it does make the novels less literary, less stimulating and more predictable.
The Navigator is bothered by one other shortcoming that has not always been endemic to Cussler's work. The story line is a straight line with very few, if indeed any, surprise twists along the way. When you've finished reading the first few dozen pages, I'd bet you will already be able to see the ultimate outcome at least in broad outline. The villain appears early as a villain. You know it the instant you encounter him.
Even with those weaknesses -- and several other, more minor ones including a deeply ingrained gender discrimination characteristic of so many such works -- this is a fine read. The story pulls you through a plot that seldom plods and often races almost too fast to absorb in easy blocks of time.
If you're the type of reader who enjoys straight-forward adventure and isn't at least always concerned about deep characterization or clever plots, you're sure to enjoy this one. |
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Typical Cussler |
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If you love Clive Cussler for what he writes, you'll love The Navigator. If you're new to his genre, there are better books to start with. |
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EXCITING, as usual! |
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Some unique twists to this wonderful tale of the heritage of the antiquities - particularly timely as we jus had a delightful family reunion! |
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Good Book |
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It was a great book, but his books seem to follow the same equation every time. I guess I have read too many of his books. They are getting monotonous, but still a good read. |
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