Archives
DUST JACKETS: Atlantis Found
When some see the name Clive Cussler on a dust jacket, the book snobs among us likely laugh. "Oh, what sad drivel is this... some pathetic hack's testosterone-fueled attempt at action adventure." Such thoughts best described my attitude towards Cussler's books until a few years ago. That's right, I like to read Clive Cussler, and I'm not ashamed to say it.
My first exposure to Clive Cussler came four years ago during my tenure in a Barnes & Noble. During this time, I learned my mother-in-law liked Cussler's books. This floored me, because his books didn't fit my image of my mother-in-law. That's why I gave him a try, because as voracious a reader as she is (and man can she ever tear through a book!), that she liked Cussler said something.
I didn't dive into this without doubts, though. Cash was tight, and even armed with a thirty percent employee discount, I couldn't afford to just snatch up even the mass market paperback. I read this book on my breaks--my thirty minute breaks. I consumed many a cinnamon scone reading Cussler's Atlantis Found. To my shock, I loved the book and managed to polish off this 544 page book in less than two months. For those concerned for the fate of the book's spine, I rarely bend the spine of a book even when I've bought it (a fact that sometimes fascinates and/or drives my wife batty).
So what made this a good read? Frankly, the book does have some brains to it. Yes, I kid you not. You do sense that Cussler did his homework for this book. The lead character does play as an aging "James Bond of the Seven Seas," but it does work. I found the theories surrounding Atlantis both fascinating and fun. A lot of cliches make their home here, but I found myself oddly willing to forgive it in light of all the things that make this book different from other action adventures. The way Cussler blends history with the present impresses me, and I think this plays an important part in many of his more recent books for Dirk Pitt.
In this book's case, he offers up the legend of Atlantis. The villain, while cliche, plots a bizarre plan to birth a master race while wiping out the inferior stock among humanity in the grand daddy of natural disasters. We have a comet that Atlantis scientists long ago predicted will collide with earth in less than a year. No, we're not talking Shakespeare here, folks, but if you like a book that'll give you a fun ride with some action and wit at a brisk pace, then you'll love this one.
As a writer, Cussler breaks quite a few rules. Chief among them, he changes point-of-view in the middle of a scene. Before anyone throws stones at him for this, be warned that he does it well. Cussler might change his point-of-view, but he never does it in a way that confuses me as a reader. I can still follow the action, because he switches that POV in appropriate places, and that's not easy to do. Some of his earlier efforts with Dirk Pitt have disappointed me, but the series has truly found the right formula in recent years. Cussler's growth as a writer has much to do with that.
I do wish the female characters did more, both in Atlantis Found and hisother books. Most of the women amount to "rescue bait," a term recently mentioned in my earlier entry "I Want a Real Woman." The ladies in the Dirk Pitt novels rarely do anything to advance the plot beyond needing Dirk Pitt and partner Al to rescue them... oh, and to make it clear what a dashingly handsome fellow Dirk is. I'm happy to say that Cussler is making some improvements in this area though. His more recent Dirk Pitt novels now include a lead female character, Pitt's daughter. I'd still like to see stronger women within these books, but at least there is improvement rather than none at all.
In short, if you think Cussler writes nothing but brainless adventures with "eye-candy" women, then think again. Yes, you will find stories here that not only entertain with some clever plot twists but offer up some interesting historical tidbits. Atlantis Found also makes for a good starting place, despite coming so late in the series. The book stands on its own, and makes it easier to appreciate some of the Dirk Pitt books Cussler wrote before he worked out the kinks.
knightbek at 10:56:00 AM EST Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
I wonder if you find it easier reading out of your genre than in it? That's troubling me these days . . . I find myself enjoying non-genre books than genre books. I don't want it to be that way! I've loved sf/f since childhood. Is it because I can't turn off the critiquer?
Louise -
Must be a guy thing, my husband is a voracious reader and he doesn't bend the spine either. I think that's why I prefer a hardback, they stay "Neater" longer.
~~Kath~~
http://journals.aol.com/dklars/SecretGarden -
I have to say that I have sadly bent a few spines in my life time. I am however very careful with my books and always carry them in a cloth bag when traveling.
I am trying to teach this to Samantha and sometimes I swear she drops a book just to see the look on my face. At least she is careful with her books from the libaray.
Dianne
11/18/05 11:05 AM
Bill, the Wildcat