This book is classic Michael Crichton with a twist - a Victorian-era heist packed with fast-paced plotting, ingenious schemes, and a vividly immersive setting. If you love clever caper stories, historical fiction, or are fascinated by the gritty realities and quirky details of 19th-century London, you'll be hooked. Fans of meticulously planned crimes and anyone who enjoys learning odd bits of history amidst their thrillers will eat this up. Crichton’s knack for blending fact and fiction makes the true story behind the novel even more gripping!

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you're drawn to rich character development or shy away from dense historical detail, this might not be your cup of tea. Some readers found the heavy use of period slang distracting or confusing, and the focus on logistics and Victorian trivia can occasionally bog down the story. If you prefer your thrillers to be pure adrenaline without digressions into societal history, or if you dislike needing a glossary, this one could frustrate you.

A clever, atmospheric, and educational historical heist novel - a must for fans of capers and Victorian intrigue, but less thrilling for those craving deep character arcs or a straightforward, modern narrative.

About:

'The Great Train Robbery' by Michael Crichton is a fictionalized account of an actual event that took place in 19th century England. The plot revolves around a group of misfits coming together to pull off a heist, delving into the highs and lows of Victorian life. Crichton's writing style is praised for its detailed descriptions that transport readers to the era, combining historical facts with a captivating storyline.

Characters:

Characters are depicted more as archetypes than fully developed individuals, with a focus on their roles in the heist.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward and evocative, blending elements of nonfiction with detailed descriptions and historical slang.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around the true story of a major train robbery in 1855, detailing the heist's elaborate planning and societal implications.

Setting:

The setting vividly captures Victorian London, highlighting its contradictions between progress and social issues.

Pacing:

Pacing is fast, with a strong focus on planning, leading to an abrupt but engaging conclusion.

Forty minutes out of London, passing through the rolling green fields and cherry orchards of Kent, the morning train of the South Eastern Railway attained its maximum speed of fifty-four miles an hour...

Notes:

The Great Train Robbery is set in 1855 Victorian England and is loosely based on a real train heist.

The robbery involved stealing gold worth approximately £12,000, which was to pay soldiers in the Crimean War.

Edward Pierce, the mastermind of the robbery, meticulously planned the heist over a year.

The gang needed to handle four different keys kept in various locations to unlock the safe containing the gold.

The robbery was considered so audacious that it became the talk of the nation, with the press calling it unspeakable and masterful.

Crichton includes a lot of Victorian social history and critiques the class system, especially regarding crime.

The book's language includes contemporary slang, portraying the criminals' dialogue and habits of the time.

The novel is a blend of historical fiction and a techno-thriller featuring the technology of Victorian railways and safes.

The characters in the book are not deeply developed, focusing more on the heist than personal stories.

Crichton emphasizes that crime can transcend class, contradicting Victorian beliefs that crime is a lower-class privilege.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content includes depictions of crime, violence, and the harsh realities of Victorian societal issues, which could be unsettling for some readers.

From The Publisher:

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….

1973

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335 pages

Ratings (26)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (11)
It Was OK (4)

Reader Stats (60):

Read It (30)
Want To Read (25)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (4)

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About the Author:

Michael Crichton was a writer, director, and producer, best known as the author of Jurassic Park and the creator of ER. One of the most recognizable names in literature and entertainment, Crichton sold more than 200 million copies of his books, which have been translated into 40 languages and…

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The Great Train Robbery

Michael Crichton

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