Call number
FIC CRI
Collection
Genres
Publication
Knopf (1975), Edition: 1, 266 pages
Description
In teeming Victorian London, where lavish wealth and appalling poverty live side by side, Edward Pierce charms the most prominent of the well-to-do as he cunningly orchestrates the crime of the century. Who would suspect that a gentleman of breeding could mastermind the daring theft of a fortune in gold? Who could predict the consequences of making the extraordinary robbery aboard the pride of England's industrial era, the mighty steam locomotive? Based on fact, as lively as legend, and studded with all the suspense and style of a modern fiction master, here is a classic caper novel set a decade before the age of dynamite--yet nonetheless explosive ...
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member AshRyan
In telling the true story of a major mid-nineteenth century crime, Crichton brings his novelist's sensibility to selecting the details that make the tale seem simultaneously real, and larger-than-life. His prose is straightforward and competent, and also evocative without being flowery.
At the same
Despite the fact that the key figure, Pierce, is a contemptible blackguard, one has to admire his sheer daring and his incredibly intelligent cunning. It is almost as though he even planned his arrest and trial so that he would have an opportunity to tell his story on the record, and to make known his utter contempt for everything conventional (including the peers of the kingdom). If one could take this as a purely fictional novel, you could almost abstract these admirable elements of Pierce's character from the criminal specifics of his actions and consider him a sort of heroic character.
Crichton concludes the narrative rather abruptly, ending with a sentence or two about the fate of each of the key figures when it's known. Perhaps this is Crichton's way of prompting us to draw our own conclusions, or of suggesting that we simply take this story for what it is---a remarkable criminal caper.
At the same
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time, he manages fairly well as a historian, offering some biting social critiques of the time in question, but also putting events in their proper historical context and filling modern audiences in on the necessary background (although he does fall short in this regard a couple of times when he attempts economic analysis).Despite the fact that the key figure, Pierce, is a contemptible blackguard, one has to admire his sheer daring and his incredibly intelligent cunning. It is almost as though he even planned his arrest and trial so that he would have an opportunity to tell his story on the record, and to make known his utter contempt for everything conventional (including the peers of the kingdom). If one could take this as a purely fictional novel, you could almost abstract these admirable elements of Pierce's character from the criminal specifics of his actions and consider him a sort of heroic character.
Crichton concludes the narrative rather abruptly, ending with a sentence or two about the fate of each of the key figures when it's known. Perhaps this is Crichton's way of prompting us to draw our own conclusions, or of suggesting that we simply take this story for what it is---a remarkable criminal caper.
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LibraryThing member StormRaven
I've read and heard many people comment that this novel, set in Victorian England, is not a typical Crichton book, and that it is very different than the typical techno-thriller, quasi-science fiction that he usually writes. I think they have missed the point of the book. This book is a
Because it is loosely based on a true story, Crichton uses one of his usual fictional techniques, building the story on records of the event and citing them throughout (although Crichton usually uses fictional records he imagines for the story, for examples see Jurassic Park, Eaters of the Dead, and The Andromeda Strain). But the book shows Victorian cutting edge technology in all its glory - modern trains, modern safes, modern prisons, and so on. More so than most Crichton books, the novel's plot is mostly just a method for explaining the society and technology of the era, which leaves actual character development somewhat short changed.
Given that this is better than many of his "true" techno-thriller novels, it is probably an experiment that Crichton should have considered revisiting. It isn't better than Crichton at his best (see Jurassic Park), but it is definitely better than Crichton's typical offering.
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techno-thriller - if a techno-thriller had been written in the 19th century.Because it is loosely based on a true story, Crichton uses one of his usual fictional techniques, building the story on records of the event and citing them throughout (although Crichton usually uses fictional records he imagines for the story, for examples see Jurassic Park, Eaters of the Dead, and The Andromeda Strain). But the book shows Victorian cutting edge technology in all its glory - modern trains, modern safes, modern prisons, and so on. More so than most Crichton books, the novel's plot is mostly just a method for explaining the society and technology of the era, which leaves actual character development somewhat short changed.
Given that this is better than many of his "true" techno-thriller novels, it is probably an experiment that Crichton should have considered revisiting. It isn't better than Crichton at his best (see Jurassic Park), but it is definitely better than Crichton's typical offering.
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LibraryThing member trickbooks
Crichton's brilliant mix of history, character and plot along with Prebble's smooth narration make this a must-have audiobook.
LibraryThing member HenriMoreaux
The plot of the novel reflects the events of the 1855 'Great Train Robbery' involving the theft of gold being transported by train (and steamship) from England to France. The novel covers preperation, planning, the robbery & the aftermath in enough detail to be interesting but not so much as to be
The narrative provides a detailed picture of Victorian England and the complexity of robbery in that day and age, intermingled are facts from the court hearing.
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overly dry and boring.The narrative provides a detailed picture of Victorian England and the complexity of robbery in that day and age, intermingled are facts from the court hearing.
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LibraryThing member Anagarika
Another average Crichton novel.
LibraryThing member Anagarika-Sean
Another average Crichton novel.
LibraryThing member starkravingmad
Well-written narrative based on a true story. Chrichton has a unique ability to combine fact with fiction in masterful story-telling.
LibraryThing member moonfish
A real page-turner and attention getting book. Based on the true story of one of the greatest train robbery which ever took place. Quite different from most of Crichton's book but one of his best nevertheless.
LibraryThing member andyray
You have to stick with this for 20 pages before it gets you woven into the schtic. the language and actualities of the mid 19th century were obviously researched extensively, as you are there. the language is so rich and different you must use an interpreter at times.
LibraryThing member john257hopper
A fascinating novelised account of this most famous of Victorian era robberies. The preparations for the theft read as being so unlikely that one would think them too far-fetched if one didn't know this really happened. The only slight issue was the large amount of criminal argot and on occasion I
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could have done with a glossary for those terms neither the author nor the context explained. A fascinating insight into Victorian mores and attitudes. Show Less
LibraryThing member wisewoman32
This is a fictionalized account of an actual event that took place in 19th century England. A lot of the scenes took place in London. It was made into a movie with Sean Connery. Really good.
LibraryThing member Grandeplease
A historical tale set in the Victorian era loosely based upon an 1855 train robbery. One of Crichton's best.
Again, Crichton exploits technology of the day - this time a locomotive, a safe and even a prison - to base his story.
An interesting read that makes its participant thankful to be living in
Again, Crichton exploits technology of the day - this time a locomotive, a safe and even a prison - to base his story.
An interesting read that makes its participant thankful to be living in
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another age. Show Less
LibraryThing member jboxer7
I personally loved this book because Crichton went outside the realm of his usual modern novel to delve back into Victorian England. Crichton does a wonderful job of accurately describing the time period, showing us the enormous difference between the upper and lower classes. Edward Pierce, the
This book was definitely filled with non-stop suspense and violence. I felt that he really connected the reader with the Victorian people. He showed how little effect the police had and how terribly abused women were. This book was definitely a fast, exciting read and I enjoyed how Crichton showed us the underworld of London in the early 1800's.
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mastermind crook, wants to steal 12,000 pounds of sterling silver that are being sent by train to fund the Crimean War. It takes 4 keys to unlock the safe of silver, which the 4 keys are subsequently held by four different people. Pierce is the ultimate conman, presenting himself as a wealthy London businessman along with his mistress Miriam. Pierce along with his partner Agar devise a meticulous plan on the heist itself. This book was definitely filled with non-stop suspense and violence. I felt that he really connected the reader with the Victorian people. He showed how little effect the police had and how terribly abused women were. This book was definitely a fast, exciting read and I enjoyed how Crichton showed us the underworld of London in the early 1800's.
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LibraryThing member readingrat
In this novel Crichton has moved away from his usual genre and has fictionalized The Great Gold Robbery of 1855. The author does an excellent job portraying the cunning mind of William (Edward) Pierce as he meticulously pieces together what he needs to achieve a seemingly impossible feat.
LibraryThing member Blazingice0608
A fantastic reconstruction of Victorian England, you really feel like your there, and you actually learn quite a bit of fascinating information throughout the novel. Its one downside is that it lacks characterization since it is telling a true story, everything is based off testimony and such.
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However the novel was extremly interesting start to finish, i read it in two days. Im usually not a big fan of historical novels, but this one was awesome, Crichtons research is impeccable. Show Less
LibraryThing member ryan.adams
Semi-historical retelling of the Great Train Robbery. While it's not really in the line of his other works, it's still a classic Crichton read. Definitely recommended for those that like Crichton's style or historical fiction.
LibraryThing member AliceAnna
The street slang was highly annoying as it was left unexplained for the most part. It was like trying to head a novel in a foreign language that you were only vaguely familiar with. Although this novel was based on a true story, some of the "facts" were rather fanciful.
LibraryThing member glade1
As I have come to expect from Crichton, this one was a fast-paced, well-plotted page turner. Although this author is best known for his science fiction, he obviously was versatile and gifted, and this historical novel is excellent. It includes much fascinating detail about the Victorian era and
This tale of a sociopathic genius and his complex train heist makes a great "caper" story, and is all the more amazing because it is based on fact. Because Crichton is so skilled at making fiction sound like fact, I feel the need to do further research to see which parts of this narrative are true and which are "artistic license." Nevertheless, it all made for a great story.
If you're a fan of Crichton and haven't read this book, I'd highly recommend it, as it shows his skill with a different genre. In fact, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good action novel. Very enjoyable!
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London, as well as the various eschelons of Victorian society.This tale of a sociopathic genius and his complex train heist makes a great "caper" story, and is all the more amazing because it is based on fact. Because Crichton is so skilled at making fiction sound like fact, I feel the need to do further research to see which parts of this narrative are true and which are "artistic license." Nevertheless, it all made for a great story.
If you're a fan of Crichton and haven't read this book, I'd highly recommend it, as it shows his skill with a different genre. In fact, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good action novel. Very enjoyable!
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LibraryThing member BookConcierge
In 1855 a gang of thieves carried out an elaborate scheme to rob a train of the gold bullion scheduled to serve as payroll for the soldiers fighting in the Crimean War. “The Victorians always referred to this crime in capital letters, as The Great Train Robbery.” This is Crichton’s
What a rollicking good story! I was entertained from beginning to end. Crichton starts out with a recitation of the facts, and sprinkles the text with other facts of Victorian life and the specifics which came to light during the trial. But the way he imagines the lead characters, especially Edward Pierce (the gang leader), is what really breathes life into the story.
I first read this back in 1975 when it was a new release. In fact I have a book-club edition I purchased at the time. It’s always been a favorite book by Crichton and I’ve recommended it to people over the years and a quick, fun adventure / crime story.
The book was adapted to film in 1978, starring Sean Connery as Edward Pierce, and Donald Sutherland as his accomplice Robert Agar. It’s a pretty faithful adaptation, and well worth watching.
NOTE: This review is written on my second (or is it third) reading, August 2015
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fictionalized novel based on what is known of the truth, with a good deal of conjecture and embellishment.What a rollicking good story! I was entertained from beginning to end. Crichton starts out with a recitation of the facts, and sprinkles the text with other facts of Victorian life and the specifics which came to light during the trial. But the way he imagines the lead characters, especially Edward Pierce (the gang leader), is what really breathes life into the story.
I first read this back in 1975 when it was a new release. In fact I have a book-club edition I purchased at the time. It’s always been a favorite book by Crichton and I’ve recommended it to people over the years and a quick, fun adventure / crime story.
The book was adapted to film in 1978, starring Sean Connery as Edward Pierce, and Donald Sutherland as his accomplice Robert Agar. It’s a pretty faithful adaptation, and well worth watching.
NOTE: This review is written on my second (or is it third) reading, August 2015
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LibraryThing member laytonwoman3rd
This was fun. A "highly fictionalized" (according to the wiki gods) account of the planning and execution of the theft of gold bullion (worth approximately 1.2 million dollars in today's money) from a train in motion on the London to Folkestone run in 1855. The word "novel" is prominent on the
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cover, so no one should be misled, but it reads very much like good narrative non-fiction. For sheer 19th century hi-jinks, though, this is right up there with The Wild, Wild, West, and almost as preposterous. Liberties are taken with the facts, but it did happen, and almost caused an international incident as the gold was bound for France. As usual, Crichton's story-telling is irresistible. Show Less
LibraryThing member bcrowl399
This was a great book. Easy to read and understand and I was on the edge of my seat most of the time to see how the robbers fared. Wonderful read!
LibraryThing member Jthierer
A perfectly fine thriller that's clearly written to make you sympathize with the criminals. Nothing wrong with that, but there are a few moments where the tone is odd (the main character has someone killed fairly heartlessly who you were previously encouraged to root for). Worth a read during a
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global pandemic but their are better heist plots out there. Show Less
LibraryThing member susandennis
I was cleaning out my bookshelf when I came across this. I'd never read it. I have now and it's really a nice read. Crichton, who's style I admire - it's just his plots that usually don't interest me, paints a wonderful picture of mid-18th century London as he describes how this famous robbery was
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pulled together, how it happened and what happened after. It's just a good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member krazy4katz
Fun to read! To find out that The Great Train Robbery is a true story, even though the book is historical fiction, makes it even more interesting. The elaborate plot, the number of people needed to ensure success and the fact that parts of the story are still a mystery are just a few of the
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elements that make for a great book. Of course you need a great writer: cue Michael Crichton. Show Less
LibraryThing member chrisgalle
I liked this book. The plot was entertaining. But most af all I would advise it because of the vivid Victorian streetlife scenes. I can see why this book was the inspiration for the movie with Sean Connery.
Awards
Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards (Silver Medal — Fiction — 1975)
Pages
266
ISBN
0394494016 / 9780394494012