Rampant Greed Goes the Distance in Pirate Latitudes

Author:  Michael Crichton
Title:  Pirate Latitudes
Publisher:  Harper 

Captain Charles Hunter, American-born, Harvard-educated pirate—pardon me, privateer—pursues an ambitious goal, the treasure-laden Spanish galleon harbored in the bay of the impregnable Caribbean isle of Matanceros. Motivated by revenge and the ever-present desire for riches, Hunter and his hand-picked team embark from Port Royal, Jamaica, with the governor's blessing (and blunt) to attempt a daring theft even the most experienced pirates considered impossible. Along the way, they encounter every sort of obstacle a sea-faring adventurer could imagine.

Pirate Latitudes was discovered in Michael Crichton's files after his death in early 2009 as a fully written manuscript. Crichton fills the pages with scenic detail and colorful descriptions of 17th century life in the infamous pirate town of Port Royal. A dirtier, stinkier, poorer place you could not think to find. The moral corruption matches the setting and is portrayed as merely a way of life. Thievery, prostitution, random killings, execution by hanging, bribery and lying—such behavior is common and accepted in this outpost. The good (and the foolish) die young; only the strong and suspicious survive. Crichton paints a realistic picture of a morally dark place that thrived for decades during a dangerous period in history.

Not that the plot allows much darkness to reign—the action-packed story moves swiftly, taking readers on a rollicking ride through the Caribbean. We meet evil Spanish pirates, crafty, sensuous women, talented ship captains, and of course the treasure they all seek to own. Hunter and his crew chart their own course, devising creative plans to infiltrate an enemy stronghold. Yet they also find themselves at the mercy of fate numerous times, hostages to chance just like any other mortal.

If you are looking for a suspenseful, fast-moving adventure, you'll enjoy Pirate Latitudes. It's mostly a lot of fun.

But those who want to feel strongly about who "wins" and who "loses" will be disappointed. Crichton does not develop his characters sufficiently. They are just pirates and politicians, each with a unique talent important to the mission's success. But we don't particularly care about any of them.

For all his wit, good looks, and ambition, Hunter is not the most sympathetic character. Crichton did not endear him to us. He's merely a charismatic, talented sea captain—and an immoral one at that. We cheer for him over Cazalla, the Spanish commander, because, well, he's English and Cazalla is Spanish and of course we don't want those bloodthirsty Spaniards to hoard all their treasure. Where's the fun in that? We root for Hunter not so much because he's a great guy but because he's on the right team. 

Thoughtful readers should find themselves disturbed at some level by the rampant greed depicted in this story. Each character is motivated by it. Men and women risk their lives for a share of the pirate booty. Their odds of success are slim—most are more likely to die painfully and anonymously than they are to reap the glorious reward of riches and reputation. Yet the lure of gold and glory sucks them in.

Be warned—death is often depicted in shocking, gruesome ways. Adultery, while not graphically described, occurs several times.


**This review first published on Friday, December 18, 2009.