THE BARBARY PIRATES: AN ETHAN GAGE ADVENTURE by WILLIAM DIETRICH
6 Jun
A RAMBUNCTIOUS HOOT OF A BOOK . . .
The Barbary Pirates is not a book I expected to like. I’m not much of a swashbuckling adventure fan. But William Dietrich’s latest novel is such an engaging tale that I was captivated. I read the book in a couple of sittings, barely able to put it down.
What was so compelling about this wild, tongue in cheek yarn? Ethan Gage, the series’ protagonist, is a charming fellow, sort of an upscale Daniel Boone with his tomahawk and long rifle. He’s also something of a debonair Agent `007 of the early 1800s with his sophisticated manners and magnetic attractiveness to the ladies.
In addition to Ethan Gage, the author populates his book with historical figures, a prototype submarine, and a lost “death ray” or mirror associated with the Greek mathematician Archimedes. Characters include the hero’s lost love, a two-year-old son that he knows nothing about, and a sadistic English noblewoman. Also on hand are the promised the Barbary pirates and an evil cult bent on taking over the world.
At times, the plot moves so fast that it threatens to spin out of control, but it’s kept in bounds by the author’s fine writing and wit. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to those liking adventure reminiscent of Indiana Jones.
