When my niece was in high school, her history teacher required his students to read this book during the summer. She recommended this book to me this summer. I can understand why a history teacher would utilize this book. Mr. Crichton immerses the reader into Victorian England, 1855-1856. What research he must have done to weave in so many details about this time period! The narrative format prevents the reader feeling like Mr. Crichton is forcing facts. He integrates them seamlessly. He also incorporates terminology/words the population would have said & explains them in the context.
While I read it, I felt like I was reading a historical fiction novel, not a nonfiction account.
This novel shares with the world how gold was stolen off of a train that was traveling from London to Paris. Months before the actual robbery, the men involved were carefully planning it. Because of Mr. Crichton's careful, extensive research, the reader witnesses each little plan unfold & tested/evaluated.
I did not finish this book. One scene kept resurfacing in my mind. One of the men had syphilis. During this time, people thought one cure for it was for the man to have relations with a virgin. This man had relations with a supposed virgin to "cure" him. Although the scene wasn't overly graphic, it was enough that parts of it come randomly to my mind. What disturbed me the most was the girl was probably 12 years old. The rest of the book may not have any more sexual scenes, but I did not want to allow for the possibility. Other references to prostitution and relations were included but not as explicit as this one.
I tend to romanticize earlier eras. This book, however, reinforced how man has always been wicked without God.
-Borrowed from the library.
