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TROJAN ODYSSEY by Clive Cussler
There is a point in every Clive Cussler book I've read in the last five years when I find myself asking, "Why am I reading this?" I suppose it's because I got hooked on Cussler years ago and can't seem to resist, although I frequently think I should apply more effort.
Trojan Odyssey is the 17th Dirk Pitt novel. For those of you unfamiliar with Pitt, Cussler wanted to create a seafaring, underwater adventuring version of James Bond, and is successful in most respects. Trojan Odyssey begins with a terrifying hurricane, fantastic rescues by Pitt and his ever-present bachelor sidekick Al Giordino, and a sociopathic corporation with ties to the Druids who are trying to take over the world. Never let it be said that Cussler doesn't dream in color.
The frustrating parts of this latest Pitt adventure are the same things I loved in the beginning. The characters are so charismatic, and so shallow. The details about underwater diving gear were interesting for awhile, but after 50 pages of whether Pitt prefers an oxygen closed-circuit rebreather or semi-closed rebreather, I almost tossed it. Plus, there were editing problems in this book, like one small character appears at the end who was killed in a previous book.
All in all, I would be disingenous if I said I didn't enjoy it. I did. Especially the ending, although Cussler's male readers probably didn't like that part as much as I did. Just don't expect too much from it and you'll likely enjoy it too. With only slight irritation with myself, I recommend Cussler's latest bestseller - Trojan Odyssey. On the Book Beat for KSL Newsradio 1160, I'm Amanda Dickson.
