Iceberg (Dirk Pitt Adventure) by Clive Cussler
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Book Reviews of Iceberg (Dirk Pitt Adventure)
Book Review: Not as good as it could have been
Summary: 3 Stars
I enjoyed this book, the plot was good, characters were alright, but I jus think it could have been much better... First, where was Dirk's friend Giordino from the first book? Theres no mention of him at all in this one... But the plot was good, the last little turn at the end I thought was a little predictable, but overall a great read, cant wait to read Raise The Titanic !!!Book Review: Slightly Wooden Pitt
Summary: 2 Stars
One of Clive Cussler's earlier adventure novels featuring the intrepid marine enginner Dirk Pitt, Iceberg is perhaps one of the least interesting. Why? Simply because this novel is one of the few in the Dirk Pitt series that sports a curiously improbable plot and a fairly disappointing ending. Compounding this is the exclusion and loss of a considerable source of humor in the form of Al Giordino, a regular appearance in the series.The plot begins with an interesting premise- the mystery of a trawler encased in ice, its interior charred beyond recognition. Who is behind the creation of this ghastly scene? However, with the absence of the sarcastic Al Giordino, the storyline fast degenerates into a stereotyped, dry outing in which Dirk Pitt narrowly survives attempts on his life in his quest to identify the cause of the tragedy.
In fact, Iceberg is one of the few Clive Cussler books in which Dirk Pitt is severely beaten...and exacts revenge (perhaps a tad sadistically) by breaking the antagonist's arms and legs. Compounding this is a set of improbable action pieces that fast become repetitive unlike other of Dirk Pitt adventures.
If for nothing else, Iceberg will be of interest only to fans who wish to experience one of Dirk Pitt's lesser, earlier adventures.
Book Review: Do not read this one as your first Dirk Pitt
Summary: 2 Stars
Up front. This series of books is great. It's the closest thing we have these days to a true Indiana Jones-like adventure with a little 007 thrown in. Fun stuff and Dirk Pitt is just plain cool.
That being said on with the review of this book....
This book is VERY dated and it shows.
Very sexist. Very homophobic.
Cussler's books should never be taken as anything but, entertainment so we can't blast them too much.
This is early on in Clive's writing career so the dialogue and
some of the scenes are lacking.
However, there are parts were you'll see the character and the writer showing glimpses of where they will be someday. The action throughout the book is awesome although what Pitt wears
near the end to observe and later fight the enemy was a bit much.
The shocker ending was a little strange as well. I don't want to put this down too much and give the wrong impression of the series.
So, take a big Cussler fan's advice and read this one later than the others.
Book Review: Too much going on....
Summary: 2 Stars
Pretty good book as far as fun and games go, but I wish Mr. Cussler would tone it down a bit with larger-than-life plots and ridiculous ideas. This book would be indefinitely better if the scope of the story did not involve whole continents, 500 presidents, millions of people and so on.
Dirk Pitt was meant to be likeable and desireable. Instead, he comes off as an arrogant, selfish fool, who is extremely sure of himself, an apparent sexist, homophobic megalomaniac, and a killer with no remorse, who always finds a way to explain away blowing up people and shooting a person or two.
I only recommend this book if you have nothing else to read or if your other reading choice is a local newspaper. There just isn't anything believable about this particular story and the characters are not likeable - there is nothing one can relate to in this book.
Book Review: Good ideas, bad execution
Summary: 2 Stars
Cussler's books are usually well driven plot-wise, but his actual writing has improved since this turkey was published.
I've read several of Cussler's works (and enjoy the NUMA files more than Pitt, by the way), and found them to be fairly standard adventures with facinating plot twists. But the characters often are a bit flat.
This is by far the worst of the Cussler works I have read. Even for its time, the misogyny is overpowering and the (not so)latent homophobia is annoying as well. Many of the characters are as flat as the paper they are presented on.
Cussler got better in his writing and his characterizations (if only a bit), and his works make for good beach/down time reading. But give this early work a miss.