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On Stranger Tides
1718: Puppeteer John Chandagnac has set sail for Jamaica to recover his stolen inheritance, when his ship is seized by pirates. Offered the choice to join the crew, or be killed where he stands, he decides that a pirate's life is better than none at all.
Now known as Jack Shandy, this apprentice buccaneer soon learns to handle a mainsail and wield a cutlass - only to discover he is now a subject of a Caribbean pirate empire ruled by one Edward Thatch, better known as Blackbeard.
A practitioner of voodoo, Blackbeard is building an army of the living and the dead, to voyage together to search for the ultimate prize: the legendary Fountain of Youth.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1987
814 people are currently reading
14671 people want to read
About the author
Tim Powers
167 books1,746 followersTimothy Thomas Powers is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Powers has won the World Fantasy Award twice for his critically acclaimed novels Last Call and Declare.
Most of Powers's novels are "secret histories": he uses actual, documented historical events featuring famous people, but shows another view of them in which occult or supernatural factors heavily influence the motivations and actions of the characters.
Powers was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in California, where his Roman Catholic family moved in 1959.
He studied English Literature at Cal State Fullerton, where he first met James Blaylock and K.W. Jeter, both of whom remained close friends and occasional collaborators; the trio have half-seriously referred to themselves as "steampunks" in contrast to the prevailing cyberpunk genre of the 1980s. Powers and Blaylock invented the poet William Ashbless while they were at Cal State Fullerton.
Another friend Powers first met during this period was noted science fiction writer Philip K. Dick; the character named "David" in Dick's novel VALIS is based on Powers and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner) is dedicated to him.
Powers's first major novel was The Drawing of the Dark (1979), but the novel that earned him wide praise was The Anubis Gates, which won the Philip K. Dick Award, and has since been published in many other languages.
Powers also teaches part-time in his role as Writer in Residence for the Orange County High School of the Arts where his friend, Blaylock, is Director of the Creative Writing Department. Powers and his wife, Serena, currently live in Muscoy, California. He has frequently served as a mentor author as part of the Clarion science fiction/fantasy writer's workshop.
He also taught part time at the University of Redlands.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Most of Powers's novels are "secret histories": he uses actual, documented historical events featuring famous people, but shows another view of them in which occult or supernatural factors heavily influence the motivations and actions of the characters.
Powers was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in California, where his Roman Catholic family moved in 1959.
He studied English Literature at Cal State Fullerton, where he first met James Blaylock and K.W. Jeter, both of whom remained close friends and occasional collaborators; the trio have half-seriously referred to themselves as "steampunks" in contrast to the prevailing cyberpunk genre of the 1980s. Powers and Blaylock invented the poet William Ashbless while they were at Cal State Fullerton.
Another friend Powers first met during this period was noted science fiction writer Philip K. Dick; the character named "David" in Dick's novel VALIS is based on Powers and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner) is dedicated to him.
Powers's first major novel was The Drawing of the Dark (1979), but the novel that earned him wide praise was The Anubis Gates, which won the Philip K. Dick Award, and has since been published in many other languages.
Powers also teaches part-time in his role as Writer in Residence for the Orange County High School of the Arts where his friend, Blaylock, is Director of the Creative Writing Department. Powers and his wife, Serena, currently live in Muscoy, California. He has frequently served as a mentor author as part of the Clarion science fiction/fantasy writer's workshop.
He also taught part time at the University of Redlands.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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December 12, 2010
THE SHANDY METHOD*Become the YOU you've always wanted to be in just 6 short months!!!
You want to work MAGIC? ... You can do it!Just follow Jack Shandy's patented TEN STEP PIRATE PROGRAM
You want to become a MASTER SWORDSMAN? ... You can do it!
You want to CAPTAIN your own ship? ... You can do it! You want to be a MASTER OF SEAMANSHIP? ... You can do it!
You want to cook Bouillabaisse like a FIVE STAR CHEF? ... You can do it!
and you too can be a master of your own destiny.
Act now and you will learn--
STEP ONE: How to kill everyone who offends your sensibilities!
YOU'VE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE!
STEP TWO: How to change your unpronounceable name to something catchy!
CHICKS DIG IT!
STEP THREE: How to drink your face off for three months and turn it into training!
NO BETTER WAY TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY!
STEP FOUR: How to always keep hoping!
BELIEVE IT! EVERYTHING WILL TURN OUT IN THE END!
STEP FIVE: How to selfishly use all those around you!
NEVER FEAR -- YOU'LL BE A RIGHTEOUS PIRATE!
STEPS SIX through TEN are only available through our special, limited time offer.
FREE PAMPHLET!!!
Order today and receive your introduction to the "The Shandy Method" absolutely free! Just send your $5.00 dollar cheque or money order for shipping and handling, and you will be the Pirate you've always wanted to be.
Chandagnac Enterprises
3 Hillside Ave.
Summerside, PE
C1N-4H3
March 9, 2016
On the menu tonight:
ON STRANGER TIDES
Amuse Bouche
This treasured bit of savory Pirate en Papillote will tantalize your taste buds: a choice cut of ole pirate lore and Caribbean history, spiced with traditional Creole seasonings, and glazed with a stringent sea salt reduction to further whet the appetite. Ahoy, diners, prepare yourself for a repast that is simultaneously light and fulfilling!
Appetizer
A tossed salad of varied delights: for the historian, we include historical greens as served during the actual time period on display – vignettes that are easily verified by a cursory search on Wikipedia; for the robust straight male, a hearty helping of derring-do, swordplay, vengeance, machismo, and chivalry; for those of the more faggy persuasion, we offer constant shirtlessness and the promise of much nocturnal shipmate “camaraderie”. Unfortunately for the gentler sex, this multi-course meal does not include the usual sampling of kick-ass female pirate; although this flavor is present (sparingly), we instead offer a blander side of helpless Rescue-Me-Please. Our regrets to our lady diners.
Entrée
Although the classic pirate bouillabaisse is often over-spiced to confusion, our delightful offering has been stripped down to allow the diner to discerningly inspect and consume the essence of each ingredient: the pure hero - a straightforward poached scallop; the pure heroine - a handful of simple white rice; the spicy villains - a vivid combination of Haitian crawfish, robust Andouille sausage, and most surprisingly, the traditionally bland English haddock, which we have flash-fried with – some may say – “sorcerous” spices, hitherto untasted by English gentry. Prepare your senses to be born again, and again, as each spoonful allows the diner to imagine how they may return to taste and re-taste this classic dish. Some have said that this meal inspires the rare individual to attempt to conquer Death, if only to return to this meal, forever and again. On this topic, our lips are sealed and our flavor profiles shall remain sacrosanct!
Dessert
For our last dish, we offer you this stunning and dramatic plate: a half-mad English sorcerer, reliving his days as a happily married man, furiously fucking the sand as he once again fulfills his wedding night duties, as all around him turn aside, aghast!
Wine Pairing
The vintage “Tim Powers” is a truly unique palate cleanser: it takes traditional historical figures and places them within the realm of the supernatural, all the while remaining true to their documented history. This fine wine takes the known and boldly combines it with the unknown: a marvelous feat!
Amuse Bouche
This treasured bit of savory Pirate en Papillote will tantalize your taste buds: a choice cut of ole pirate lore and Caribbean history, spiced with traditional Creole seasonings, and glazed with a stringent sea salt reduction to further whet the appetite. Ahoy, diners, prepare yourself for a repast that is simultaneously light and fulfilling!
Appetizer
A tossed salad of varied delights: for the historian, we include historical greens as served during the actual time period on display – vignettes that are easily verified by a cursory search on Wikipedia; for the robust straight male, a hearty helping of derring-do, swordplay, vengeance, machismo, and chivalry; for those of the more faggy persuasion, we offer constant shirtlessness and the promise of much nocturnal shipmate “camaraderie”. Unfortunately for the gentler sex, this multi-course meal does not include the usual sampling of kick-ass female pirate; although this flavor is present (sparingly), we instead offer a blander side of helpless Rescue-Me-Please. Our regrets to our lady diners.
Entrée
Although the classic pirate bouillabaisse is often over-spiced to confusion, our delightful offering has been stripped down to allow the diner to discerningly inspect and consume the essence of each ingredient: the pure hero - a straightforward poached scallop; the pure heroine - a handful of simple white rice; the spicy villains - a vivid combination of Haitian crawfish, robust Andouille sausage, and most surprisingly, the traditionally bland English haddock, which we have flash-fried with – some may say – “sorcerous” spices, hitherto untasted by English gentry. Prepare your senses to be born again, and again, as each spoonful allows the diner to imagine how they may return to taste and re-taste this classic dish. Some have said that this meal inspires the rare individual to attempt to conquer Death, if only to return to this meal, forever and again. On this topic, our lips are sealed and our flavor profiles shall remain sacrosanct!
Dessert
For our last dish, we offer you this stunning and dramatic plate: a half-mad English sorcerer, reliving his days as a happily married man, furiously fucking the sand as he once again fulfills his wedding night duties, as all around him turn aside, aghast!
Wine Pairing
The vintage “Tim Powers” is a truly unique palate cleanser: it takes traditional historical figures and places them within the realm of the supernatural, all the while remaining true to their documented history. This fine wine takes the known and boldly combines it with the unknown: a marvelous feat!
July 22, 2021
"Las almas sin amarras viajarán a la deriva, hacia costas más extrañas que las que el hombre conoce, impulsadas por vientos que no agitarían ni un cabello"
"En Costas Extrañas" no tiene casi nada que ver con la cuarta película de, Piratas del Caribe, solo sirvió de inspiración. Y menos mal, porque a mi no me gustó la película. Este es un libro de fantasía con elementos piratas.
Pues ojo al parche, estoy muy satisfecho con esta lectura, buscaba algo de piratas para leer, y no me ha decepcionado, de hecho estoy contento ya que temía que tratase muy poco el tema de piratas, barcos, navegación, abordajes y todo tipo de batallas y la historia fuera a tirar más por otros cauces, pero no, tiene todas esas cosas con unas descripciones muy buenas aportándole al libro una ambientación en la mar muy lograda usando varios términos propios del momento en lo referente a la navegación, siguiendo la vida y costumbres de los piratas, y las ambientaciones en tierra firme que puedo decir, 🏝 el Caribe. Finalmente le di la cuarta estrella, se la ganó analizándolo bien, fue una buena y muy entretenida lectura. ☠
Toma una serie de figuras históricas del mundo real y las mezcla con leyendas y supersticiones. Aquí la magia funciona, esta en el aire. Hay ceremonias e invocaciones de vudú, evocan varios loas, baka y muertos ancestrales. Los magos más racionalistas ofrecen ritos algo más complejos.
"Por la escalera, hacia la luz del sol, fueron saliendo el cocinero (que, obviamente, había seguido la vieja costumbre de enfrentarse a un desastre en la mar emborrachándose tan rápida y concienzudamente como le fue posible)"
Los personajes secuandarios estuvieron a la altura de la historia, más que los principales, tenemos a nuestro protagonista un joven intrepido que parece que puede hacerlo todo bien, incluso cosas que nunca ha hecho y a la primera le sale, demasiado perfecto. Lo más destacado para mi del libro es Barbanegra y su barco, "La Venganza de la Reina Ana", aquí el es un bokor que está infestado de fantasmas y quiere darse un bañito en la antigua "Fuente de la Juventud". Un personaje que me decepciono, es Elizabeth Hurwood, que sigue siendo una damisela en apuros mucho después de que debería haber hecho cierta transición a un cambio.
Una interesante y lograda historia de piratas y batallas con una trama ágil, rápida que se dirige a un horizonte prometedor aportando incluso alguna pizca de suspense, aunque también es cierto que tiene alguna parte que leva un poco el ancla y se queda parado. Algunas subtramas involucraban al personaje principal de esta historia luchando a lo largo de toda la novela para rescatar a su amada, un motivo tan usado y que en este caso ni me llamo la atención, ni me intereso esa parte lo mas mínimo. Pero todos esos escenarios por los que paso desde barcos hasta islas, la magia, las adversidades a las que tuvo que hacer frente, y sobretodo los personajes con los que interactuó, eran geniales, eso me encantó, me dio lo que pedía al leerlo.
"Los muertos no cuentan cuentos.."
El sistema de magia, usa una mezcla de vudú y magia caribeña. Coge las tradiciones caribeñas, africanas y europeas, logrando unirlas mientras el elenco de nuestros personajes busca la fuente de la juventud. Tenemos algunos duelos de brujería, tripulaciones de no-muertos de barcos hundidos y varios trucos más que le dieron a la historia esos toques de fantasía, agradables y que hicieron que la trama se volviese más ágil y adictiva.
Preparaos grumetes para engancharos a una trepidante aventura en la mar con magia negra, muchos machetes, espadas, disparos de pistolas, cañones. Y no puede faltar en la vida de un honrado pirata, su botella de ron. Algo muy positivo para la trama fue que logra alcanzar clímax tras clímax, exceptuando ciertos parones.
La narrativa de Powers fue lo mejor del libro destaca sobretodo en las ambientaciones que crea y a las que logra transportarte. Hay muchísimas descripciones impresionantes del entorno que rodea a los personajes, entornos que van variando y a Powers se le da bien escribir escenas de acción convincentes. Transmite desde la libertad cuando navegan por el mar, como los momentos tensos de batallas, abordajes, muerte y muertos vivientes o el aspecto inquietante de los barcos que se deslizan entre la niebla. Todas estas descripciones fue lo que realmente logro sumergirme en el escenario y provocaron sentimientos positivos hacia el libro, así que creo que Powers se merece por mi parte cierto elogio por ello como por un maravilloso trabajo de documentación de la época.
Nada de esto quiere decir que el libro no tenga defectos. El no papel de Elizabeth Hurwood con lo que debería haber sido o yo esperaba que llegase su evolución y la monotonía de los personajes. También tenemos contados momentos que te hace retroceder y volver a leer las páginas para obtener una aclaración. Por otro lado, sin embargo, creo que algunas partes del libro se arrastraron un poco. Los personajes tardaron demasiado en llegar a cierto objetivo y todas las cosas que estaban sucediendo mientras tanto no captaron mi atención, como dije tiene alguna parte que leva un poco el ancla, a favor tengo que decir que no es algo que pueda llegar a afectar al lector ya que desde mi punto de vista tampoco es algo exagerado, esas partes se leen sin problema, puede hasta gustar, solo que notas ese cambio en el ritmo. Y por último algunas de las escenas de acción también se hicieron lentas a veces, en parte porque, Powers está interesado en describir cada pequeña acción. La historia se apresuró un poquito de cara al final, pero me gustó, aceptable.
Este libro puede ser una buena opción para catar a Tim Powers. Es una lectura entretenida, ligera, con una narrativa ágil que destaca de manera notable en las descripciones y la ambientación. Aventuras, piratas, magia, la libertad y las batallas en mitad de los indomables mares. Recomendable lectura, entretenida sin grandes pretensiones.💀
"Los mares y los climas son como son, los navíos solo pueden adaptarse a ellos o se hunden"
"En Costas Extrañas" no tiene casi nada que ver con la cuarta película de, Piratas del Caribe, solo sirvió de inspiración. Y menos mal, porque a mi no me gustó la película. Este es un libro de fantasía con elementos piratas.
Pues ojo al parche, estoy muy satisfecho con esta lectura, buscaba algo de piratas para leer, y no me ha decepcionado, de hecho estoy contento ya que temía que tratase muy poco el tema de piratas, barcos, navegación, abordajes y todo tipo de batallas y la historia fuera a tirar más por otros cauces, pero no, tiene todas esas cosas con unas descripciones muy buenas aportándole al libro una ambientación en la mar muy lograda usando varios términos propios del momento en lo referente a la navegación, siguiendo la vida y costumbres de los piratas, y las ambientaciones en tierra firme que puedo decir, 🏝 el Caribe. Finalmente le di la cuarta estrella, se la ganó analizándolo bien, fue una buena y muy entretenida lectura. ☠
Toma una serie de figuras históricas del mundo real y las mezcla con leyendas y supersticiones. Aquí la magia funciona, esta en el aire. Hay ceremonias e invocaciones de vudú, evocan varios loas, baka y muertos ancestrales. Los magos más racionalistas ofrecen ritos algo más complejos.
"Por la escalera, hacia la luz del sol, fueron saliendo el cocinero (que, obviamente, había seguido la vieja costumbre de enfrentarse a un desastre en la mar emborrachándose tan rápida y concienzudamente como le fue posible)"
Los personajes secuandarios estuvieron a la altura de la historia, más que los principales, tenemos a nuestro protagonista un joven intrepido que parece que puede hacerlo todo bien, incluso cosas que nunca ha hecho y a la primera le sale, demasiado perfecto. Lo más destacado para mi del libro es Barbanegra y su barco, "La Venganza de la Reina Ana", aquí el es un bokor que está infestado de fantasmas y quiere darse un bañito en la antigua "Fuente de la Juventud". Un personaje que me decepciono, es Elizabeth Hurwood, que sigue siendo una damisela en apuros mucho después de que debería haber hecho cierta transición a un cambio.
Una interesante y lograda historia de piratas y batallas con una trama ágil, rápida que se dirige a un horizonte prometedor aportando incluso alguna pizca de suspense, aunque también es cierto que tiene alguna parte que leva un poco el ancla y se queda parado. Algunas subtramas involucraban al personaje principal de esta historia luchando a lo largo de toda la novela para rescatar a su amada, un motivo tan usado y que en este caso ni me llamo la atención, ni me intereso esa parte lo mas mínimo. Pero todos esos escenarios por los que paso desde barcos hasta islas, la magia, las adversidades a las que tuvo que hacer frente, y sobretodo los personajes con los que interactuó, eran geniales, eso me encantó, me dio lo que pedía al leerlo.
"Los muertos no cuentan cuentos.."
El sistema de magia, usa una mezcla de vudú y magia caribeña. Coge las tradiciones caribeñas, africanas y europeas, logrando unirlas mientras el elenco de nuestros personajes busca la fuente de la juventud. Tenemos algunos duelos de brujería, tripulaciones de no-muertos de barcos hundidos y varios trucos más que le dieron a la historia esos toques de fantasía, agradables y que hicieron que la trama se volviese más ágil y adictiva.
Preparaos grumetes para engancharos a una trepidante aventura en la mar con magia negra, muchos machetes, espadas, disparos de pistolas, cañones. Y no puede faltar en la vida de un honrado pirata, su botella de ron. Algo muy positivo para la trama fue que logra alcanzar clímax tras clímax, exceptuando ciertos parones.
La narrativa de Powers fue lo mejor del libro destaca sobretodo en las ambientaciones que crea y a las que logra transportarte. Hay muchísimas descripciones impresionantes del entorno que rodea a los personajes, entornos que van variando y a Powers se le da bien escribir escenas de acción convincentes. Transmite desde la libertad cuando navegan por el mar, como los momentos tensos de batallas, abordajes, muerte y muertos vivientes o el aspecto inquietante de los barcos que se deslizan entre la niebla. Todas estas descripciones fue lo que realmente logro sumergirme en el escenario y provocaron sentimientos positivos hacia el libro, así que creo que Powers se merece por mi parte cierto elogio por ello como por un maravilloso trabajo de documentación de la época.
Nada de esto quiere decir que el libro no tenga defectos. El no papel de Elizabeth Hurwood con lo que debería haber sido o yo esperaba que llegase su evolución y la monotonía de los personajes. También tenemos contados momentos que te hace retroceder y volver a leer las páginas para obtener una aclaración. Por otro lado, sin embargo, creo que algunas partes del libro se arrastraron un poco. Los personajes tardaron demasiado en llegar a cierto objetivo y todas las cosas que estaban sucediendo mientras tanto no captaron mi atención, como dije tiene alguna parte que leva un poco el ancla, a favor tengo que decir que no es algo que pueda llegar a afectar al lector ya que desde mi punto de vista tampoco es algo exagerado, esas partes se leen sin problema, puede hasta gustar, solo que notas ese cambio en el ritmo. Y por último algunas de las escenas de acción también se hicieron lentas a veces, en parte porque, Powers está interesado en describir cada pequeña acción. La historia se apresuró un poquito de cara al final, pero me gustó, aceptable.
Este libro puede ser una buena opción para catar a Tim Powers. Es una lectura entretenida, ligera, con una narrativa ágil que destaca de manera notable en las descripciones y la ambientación. Aventuras, piratas, magia, la libertad y las batallas en mitad de los indomables mares. Recomendable lectura, entretenida sin grandes pretensiones.💀
"Los mares y los climas son como son, los navíos solo pueden adaptarse a ellos o se hunden"
December 1, 2021
Me ha gustado, pero me ha aburrido por momentos.
En realidad 3,3
La razón por la que me gustan las historias de piratas es por la picardía e ingenio que usan estos personajes para sobrevivir en un mundo incierto, lleno de trampas y peligros desconocidos. Son historias que me atraen mucho por la exposición de la degradación a la que es capaz de llegar el ser humano con tal de lograr sus metas y satisfacer sus ambiciones. Traiciones, aventuras, batallas, miles de alianzas falsas, todo eso me llama mucho la atención de la época pirata. Son historias crueles y de supervivencia para quienes sufrieron las vilezas de los piratas, pero a la vez son historias épicas por la genialidad con la que aquellos piratas no solo sobrevivieron, sino también sobresalieron en un mar en el que fueron perseguidos todo el tiempo por sus crímenes. Quizás por ello me encanta Piratas del Caribe, La isla del tesoro y One Piece (A One Piece lo amo desde lo más profundo de mi corazón, incluso tengo un grupo en Facebook llamado Piratas del Grand Line xD). Por cierto, ya que menciono a Piratas del Caribe, debo confesar que desconocía que la cuarta película —Piratas del Caribe: Navegando en aguas misteriosas— fue creada basándose en este libro. Ambas producciones son muy diferentes por el hilo del argumento, pero sí comparten características y elementos clave como lo son el vudú, la búsqueda de la fuente de la juventud, Barbanegra, el declive de la piratería, etc. Lo que me ha parecido curioso es que leí todo el libro sin saber dicha información, pero hace unas semanas estaba repitiendo toda la saga de Piratas del Caribe, y cuando iniciaron los créditos de la cuarta película, de inmediato vi el nombre de Tim Powers, investigué y descubrí la verdad.
Eso sí, a pesar de mi atracción por las historias de piratas, no puedo negar que mi relación con este libro no ha sido saludable en todo momento. Para ser honesto prácticamente me la pasé todo el tiempo quejándome de lo que no encontraba en este texto. No tenía mis expectativas altas, pero siempre tuve la sensación de que el argumento podía ser mejor, de que la prosa podía ser más organizada, etc. No obstante, a pesar de mis insatisfacciones personales, siento que ha valido la pena llegar hasta la parte final. Ha valido la pena porque el último tercio del libro fue escrito con una intensidad media-alta que permite que el lector sienta la adrenalina de los acontecimientos. Asimismo allí, el autor, ofrece explicaciones aceptables —aunque ya no lo esperaba— sobre «la magia del caribe», que aunque no me hicieron delirar, me dejaron satisfecho por el intento del autor de darle un esclarecimiento lógico al curso de la novela. Eso, sin dejar de mencionar, que los combates me han encantado por su descripción. Fueron escenas en las que sentí como si estuviera en medio del mar, sudando bajo el asedio del sol, y buscando sobrevivir en la carnicería que en ese tiempo conocían como batallas marítimas.
Lo que no me ha gustado son los personajes. Fueron personajes que siempre sentí superficiales por las ilógicas decisiones que tomaban inesperadamente. Siento que el autor se enfocó más en intentar que el hilo argumental previamente planeado encajara con la historia que estaba desarrollando, que en darle profundidad a sus personajes para que lográramos conectar con ellos: Nunca me cautivo ninguno, ni la damisela en peligro, ni los piratas, ni el protagonista, ninguno. Los personajes siempre fueron mi motivo principal de queja porque no se comportaban de acuerdo a su rol, y cuando el autor presentó flashbacks para intentar que el lector comprendiera sus creaciones, pues tampoco lo logró porque fueron historias sin alma, que sentí forzosamente desarrolladas, como si el autor las hubiera creado con pereza. Fue muy diferente su prosa cuando presentaba flashbacks, que cuando describía batallas y aventuras, fue un cambio drástico. Quizás esos flashbacks pudieron impactarme más, pero si una historia no te la cuentan con magia esas palabras dejan de tener sentido, esas palabras se las lleva el viento.
La prosa la describiría como inconstante. Al principio las palabras de Tim me atraparon bastante, y en la parte final igual: Fueron escritas con vida, misterio, y persuasión. Pero, en el resto del libro, ese «encanto» lo perdí por innumerables ocasiones. A veces alguna aventura, encuentro, conversación, o demás, era interesante, atrapaba mi atención y quería leer sin detenerme, pero entonces inesperadamente la historia entraba en etapas de transición para llegar a la siguiente escena. Lo malo fue que hubo tantas etapas de transición, que con el paso de las páginas empecé a sentir irritación por el estilo del libro, y me empecé a sentir confundido porque no podía afirmar con claridad si me estaba gustando el libro, o lo estaba odiando. Así fue la prosa de Tim, desesperante por momentos pero genial en las secciones más importantes. Lo irónico es que la ambientación sí estuvo muy bien desarrollada, y la historia que realmente sí era la principal ha sido bien intrigante: Esos aspectos vale la pena destacar. Sí, efectivamente, la prosa es contradictoria: Te gusta, pero a la vez no.
También me ha parecido sobresaliente el contexto de la obra, al recrear lo que fue el declive de la piratería, y exponiendo una faceta de indecisión que también vivieron los piratas. Ellos solo tenían dos opciones, ambas con ventajas y desventajas. O eran piratas hasta la muerte, disfrutando de la libertad de navegar por el mar a sus anchas, pero arriesgando su vida en todo momento; o, aceptaban un indulto que ofrecía la sociedad por todos los crímenes cometidos, pero con la condición de no volver a ser pirata. Muy difícil decisión, teniendo en cuenta que ellos amaban el mar y la libertad, pero también que lo que estaba en juego era su propia supervivencia.
En resumen, una obra que a pesar de sus defectos me ha gustado, no me arrepiento de leerla, e incluso deja las puertas abiertas para considerar leer otro libro del autor en el futuro. ¿Decepcionado por los personajes? Sí, completamente; pero en sus demás aspectos pienso que es un libro aceptable que no es una mala opción para conocer un poco sobre las leyendas del mar. Un libro que está atiborrado de fantasía, batallas, muertes, traiciones, etc. La calificación de 3,3 me parece una justa calificación.
En realidad 3,3
La razón por la que me gustan las historias de piratas es por la picardía e ingenio que usan estos personajes para sobrevivir en un mundo incierto, lleno de trampas y peligros desconocidos. Son historias que me atraen mucho por la exposición de la degradación a la que es capaz de llegar el ser humano con tal de lograr sus metas y satisfacer sus ambiciones. Traiciones, aventuras, batallas, miles de alianzas falsas, todo eso me llama mucho la atención de la época pirata. Son historias crueles y de supervivencia para quienes sufrieron las vilezas de los piratas, pero a la vez son historias épicas por la genialidad con la que aquellos piratas no solo sobrevivieron, sino también sobresalieron en un mar en el que fueron perseguidos todo el tiempo por sus crímenes. Quizás por ello me encanta Piratas del Caribe, La isla del tesoro y One Piece (A One Piece lo amo desde lo más profundo de mi corazón, incluso tengo un grupo en Facebook llamado Piratas del Grand Line xD). Por cierto, ya que menciono a Piratas del Caribe, debo confesar que desconocía que la cuarta película —Piratas del Caribe: Navegando en aguas misteriosas— fue creada basándose en este libro. Ambas producciones son muy diferentes por el hilo del argumento, pero sí comparten características y elementos clave como lo son el vudú, la búsqueda de la fuente de la juventud, Barbanegra, el declive de la piratería, etc. Lo que me ha parecido curioso es que leí todo el libro sin saber dicha información, pero hace unas semanas estaba repitiendo toda la saga de Piratas del Caribe, y cuando iniciaron los créditos de la cuarta película, de inmediato vi el nombre de Tim Powers, investigué y descubrí la verdad.
Eso sí, a pesar de mi atracción por las historias de piratas, no puedo negar que mi relación con este libro no ha sido saludable en todo momento. Para ser honesto prácticamente me la pasé todo el tiempo quejándome de lo que no encontraba en este texto. No tenía mis expectativas altas, pero siempre tuve la sensación de que el argumento podía ser mejor, de que la prosa podía ser más organizada, etc. No obstante, a pesar de mis insatisfacciones personales, siento que ha valido la pena llegar hasta la parte final. Ha valido la pena porque el último tercio del libro fue escrito con una intensidad media-alta que permite que el lector sienta la adrenalina de los acontecimientos. Asimismo allí, el autor, ofrece explicaciones aceptables —aunque ya no lo esperaba— sobre «la magia del caribe», que aunque no me hicieron delirar, me dejaron satisfecho por el intento del autor de darle un esclarecimiento lógico al curso de la novela. Eso, sin dejar de mencionar, que los combates me han encantado por su descripción. Fueron escenas en las que sentí como si estuviera en medio del mar, sudando bajo el asedio del sol, y buscando sobrevivir en la carnicería que en ese tiempo conocían como batallas marítimas.
Lo que no me ha gustado son los personajes. Fueron personajes que siempre sentí superficiales por las ilógicas decisiones que tomaban inesperadamente. Siento que el autor se enfocó más en intentar que el hilo argumental previamente planeado encajara con la historia que estaba desarrollando, que en darle profundidad a sus personajes para que lográramos conectar con ellos: Nunca me cautivo ninguno, ni la damisela en peligro, ni los piratas, ni el protagonista, ninguno. Los personajes siempre fueron mi motivo principal de queja porque no se comportaban de acuerdo a su rol, y cuando el autor presentó flashbacks para intentar que el lector comprendiera sus creaciones, pues tampoco lo logró porque fueron historias sin alma, que sentí forzosamente desarrolladas, como si el autor las hubiera creado con pereza. Fue muy diferente su prosa cuando presentaba flashbacks, que cuando describía batallas y aventuras, fue un cambio drástico. Quizás esos flashbacks pudieron impactarme más, pero si una historia no te la cuentan con magia esas palabras dejan de tener sentido, esas palabras se las lleva el viento.
La prosa la describiría como inconstante. Al principio las palabras de Tim me atraparon bastante, y en la parte final igual: Fueron escritas con vida, misterio, y persuasión. Pero, en el resto del libro, ese «encanto» lo perdí por innumerables ocasiones. A veces alguna aventura, encuentro, conversación, o demás, era interesante, atrapaba mi atención y quería leer sin detenerme, pero entonces inesperadamente la historia entraba en etapas de transición para llegar a la siguiente escena. Lo malo fue que hubo tantas etapas de transición, que con el paso de las páginas empecé a sentir irritación por el estilo del libro, y me empecé a sentir confundido porque no podía afirmar con claridad si me estaba gustando el libro, o lo estaba odiando. Así fue la prosa de Tim, desesperante por momentos pero genial en las secciones más importantes. Lo irónico es que la ambientación sí estuvo muy bien desarrollada, y la historia que realmente sí era la principal ha sido bien intrigante: Esos aspectos vale la pena destacar. Sí, efectivamente, la prosa es contradictoria: Te gusta, pero a la vez no.
También me ha parecido sobresaliente el contexto de la obra, al recrear lo que fue el declive de la piratería, y exponiendo una faceta de indecisión que también vivieron los piratas. Ellos solo tenían dos opciones, ambas con ventajas y desventajas. O eran piratas hasta la muerte, disfrutando de la libertad de navegar por el mar a sus anchas, pero arriesgando su vida en todo momento; o, aceptaban un indulto que ofrecía la sociedad por todos los crímenes cometidos, pero con la condición de no volver a ser pirata. Muy difícil decisión, teniendo en cuenta que ellos amaban el mar y la libertad, pero también que lo que estaba en juego era su propia supervivencia.
En resumen, una obra que a pesar de sus defectos me ha gustado, no me arrepiento de leerla, e incluso deja las puertas abiertas para considerar leer otro libro del autor en el futuro. ¿Decepcionado por los personajes? Sí, completamente; pero en sus demás aspectos pienso que es un libro aceptable que no es una mala opción para conocer un poco sobre las leyendas del mar. Un libro que está atiborrado de fantasía, batallas, muertes, traiciones, etc. La calificación de 3,3 me parece una justa calificación.
August 19, 2020
This is what happens when you're the ACTUAL inspiration for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
The movies shuffle around some pieces, make it streamlined and less complex, and of course NAME it after a ride.
But the story itself...
It's a truly historical romance that is filled to the brim with press gangs, pirates, hidden islands, Blackbeard, and with so much magic overflowing from the Lao that it absolutely reads like a modern epic fantasy.
It is not a modern epic fantasy. It came out in 1987. And yet... it happens to be one of the most wonderfully described and world-built pirate adventures I've ever read... and there are a lot of them. Some will go big, some will go crafty, but this one rests its laurels on realism and realistic details. DESPITE the magic. Indeed, the magic itself feels as real as the rest. :)
So magical realism? No. There's a lot more magic in this than that. :) Let's just say I was completely sucked in and this could still have been utterly real. (There's even a great deal of discovery about why magic is going away! Hint: head to the stranger tides to find out...)
The movies shuffle around some pieces, make it streamlined and less complex, and of course NAME it after a ride.
But the story itself...
It's a truly historical romance that is filled to the brim with press gangs, pirates, hidden islands, Blackbeard, and with so much magic overflowing from the Lao that it absolutely reads like a modern epic fantasy.
It is not a modern epic fantasy. It came out in 1987. And yet... it happens to be one of the most wonderfully described and world-built pirate adventures I've ever read... and there are a lot of them. Some will go big, some will go crafty, but this one rests its laurels on realism and realistic details. DESPITE the magic. Indeed, the magic itself feels as real as the rest. :)
So magical realism? No. There's a lot more magic in this than that. :) Let's just say I was completely sucked in and this could still have been utterly real. (There's even a great deal of discovery about why magic is going away! Hint: head to the stranger tides to find out...)
February 13, 2016
I liked this one a lot better than The Anubis Gates. For one thing it has pirates and battles at sea, voodoo monsters and that vegetal Thing from the Florida marshes, animated skeletons and rum bottles, a damzel in distress and a sultry temptress. If it sounds like the last episode of the Pirates of the Carribean francise, that's because On Stranger Tides is the source material for the movie. Frankly, I prefer the book to the movie, even without Johnny Depp.
Among the things I learned from this book:
- the term buccaneer comes from "buccan" : a wooden grid used over a fire to smoke fish or meat. Apparently the pirates were originally gypsy rovers, hopping from island to island and living free from the bounty of sea and soil, until the spanish authorities tried to get rid of them and drove them to illegal practices.
- never to eat a chicken that has writing on its beak
- a true man drinks his rum only after he pours gunpowder over it and sets the liquid aflame
John (or Francois) Chandagnac is the main character - an accountant and former puppeteer, sailing from England to Jamaica in search of a stolen inheritance. When his ship is attacked by pirates he is given a choice between joining them and loosing his life. Living among these outcasts his whole outlook in life is changed as he learns the tricks of the trade and had to do battle with both natural and supernatural foes.
The book has well rendered action sequences and relies quite heavily on magic - inspired both from the voodoo practices of the Carribean and from the legends of the Fountain of Youth and of Ponce de Leon. Edward Teach, alias Blackbeard, is another major character in the story, with a bevy of other names found in historical records : Jim Davies, Ann Bonny, Jack Shandy.
[edit for spelling - 2016]
Among the things I learned from this book:
- the term buccaneer comes from "buccan" : a wooden grid used over a fire to smoke fish or meat. Apparently the pirates were originally gypsy rovers, hopping from island to island and living free from the bounty of sea and soil, until the spanish authorities tried to get rid of them and drove them to illegal practices.
- never to eat a chicken that has writing on its beak
- a true man drinks his rum only after he pours gunpowder over it and sets the liquid aflame
John (or Francois) Chandagnac is the main character - an accountant and former puppeteer, sailing from England to Jamaica in search of a stolen inheritance. When his ship is attacked by pirates he is given a choice between joining them and loosing his life. Living among these outcasts his whole outlook in life is changed as he learns the tricks of the trade and had to do battle with both natural and supernatural foes.
The book has well rendered action sequences and relies quite heavily on magic - inspired both from the voodoo practices of the Carribean and from the legends of the Fountain of Youth and of Ponce de Leon. Edward Teach, alias Blackbeard, is another major character in the story, with a bevy of other names found in historical records : Jim Davies, Ann Bonny, Jack Shandy.
[edit for spelling - 2016]
November 18, 2024
Swashbuckling pirate action mixed with strange magic! What else could you want?
I sometimes make note of novels that would be good to give young readers to entice them to read for fun--this is one of those books. On Stranger Tides was about the sometimes violent journey of a normal man pummeling through the ranks of piracy. It was a classic adventure tale that will bring joy to anyone who enjoys reading.
The author gives you an engrossing account of what it may have been like not just to be a pirate, but a pirate in an unusual arena of magic. A very interesting concept brought up by the story was an apparent explanation for why so much magic existed back then to why it eludes us now.
Beware the anti-death that can be summoned by the local sorcerers, for the roiling seas are not an end for all who sail them! High 4's given to this high seas adventure!
I sometimes make note of novels that would be good to give young readers to entice them to read for fun--this is one of those books. On Stranger Tides was about the sometimes violent journey of a normal man pummeling through the ranks of piracy. It was a classic adventure tale that will bring joy to anyone who enjoys reading.
The author gives you an engrossing account of what it may have been like not just to be a pirate, but a pirate in an unusual arena of magic. A very interesting concept brought up by the story was an apparent explanation for why so much magic existed back then to why it eludes us now.
Beware the anti-death that can be summoned by the local sorcerers, for the roiling seas are not an end for all who sail them! High 4's given to this high seas adventure!
March 13, 2023
Tim Powers writing is applied alchemy. He takes the world we know, applies the philosopher's stone of his vision, and returns it transformed. Here he takes the familiar story of Blackbeard and reshapes it as a tale of eldritch magick. Blackbeard the seafaring rogue is a tired tale often told, but Blackbeard as pirate AND voodoo sorcerer reshapes the story into something compelling and strange. It’s impossible to put down.
Puppeteer turned pirate, Jack Shandy is a likable, standard protagonist. He’s down on his luck, but less flawed than the average Powers’ hero. While taking passage to the West Indies to claim a stolen birthright, Shandy meets a charming young woman, their ship is attacked by pirates, and he is shanghaied into the pirate’s ranks. He’s entangled in an occult plot involving an obsessed, unbalanced Oxford don (the charming girl's father), and Captain Edward Thatch (Blackbeard), an intimidating Voodoo shaman and pirate.
On Stranger Tides is right behind Last Call in my hierarchy of Power's best. The plot will grab you and move fast. The characters are memorable. And the eerie sense of otherness Powers creates so well infuses all.
Puppeteer turned pirate, Jack Shandy is a likable, standard protagonist. He’s down on his luck, but less flawed than the average Powers’ hero. While taking passage to the West Indies to claim a stolen birthright, Shandy meets a charming young woman, their ship is attacked by pirates, and he is shanghaied into the pirate’s ranks. He’s entangled in an occult plot involving an obsessed, unbalanced Oxford don (the charming girl's father), and Captain Edward Thatch (Blackbeard), an intimidating Voodoo shaman and pirate.
On Stranger Tides is right behind Last Call in my hierarchy of Power's best. The plot will grab you and move fast. The characters are memorable. And the eerie sense of otherness Powers creates so well infuses all.
December 23, 2010
If you are as nerdy about movies as you clearly are about books if you are visiting this here book website, you probably recognize "On Stranger Tides" as the name of the fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Belabored Franchise Subtitle series. This is wholly appropriate. After all, you can't read the book these days without thinking of the movie trilogy extended cash grab saga:
* Both are about pirates, natch.
* Both are set in the south seas.
* Both combine seafaring lore and zombies, one dull taste and one stale taste that somehow still taste great together.
In fact, I'd wager POTC actually does quite a disservice to On Stranger Tides as a novel, since even though the book was published around 15 years before the writers of the moviesappropriated all of its ideas named it as an "inspiration," Tim Powers' work can't help but feel a little uninspired these days. And it's a shame, because it was never a huge success, even though aside from being original, at the time, probably, it apes the film franchise in another significant way, which is that you really enjoy about the first third and then the plot starts getting really complicated and difficult to follow and by the end you're basically reading voodoo action sequences with only a vague idea of what is happening.
Unfortunately, the book stars Captain Jack Shandy instead ofJohnny Depp Captain Jack Sparrow. And while Movie-Jack is boozy and entertaining and carries the movie along even when you'd otherwise be super bored at lame Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly's skeleton (very realistic creature, that), Book-Jack is just boozy; not funny, not compelling, barely a character.
In fact, all of On Stranger Tides would probably work a lot better if it was funnier. Because let's face it: pirates? Hilarious. Especially when you are listening to Bronson Pinchot narrate an audiobook like it's Talk Like a Pirate Day.
So it's probably fortunate that On Stranger Tides was optioned for the fourth movie in the series, because Powers will finally get the payday he deserves for clearly inspiring the whole supernatural take on the genre in the first place, and the story will benefit from a dose of the films'tiresome trademarked humor. And it already doesn't make any sense, which saves the screenwriters a whole bunch of time.
* Both are about pirates, natch.
* Both are set in the south seas.
* Both combine seafaring lore and zombies, one dull taste and one stale taste that somehow still taste great together.
In fact, I'd wager POTC actually does quite a disservice to On Stranger Tides as a novel, since even though the book was published around 15 years before the writers of the movies
Unfortunately, the book stars Captain Jack Shandy instead of
In fact, all of On Stranger Tides would probably work a lot better if it was funnier. Because let's face it: pirates? Hilarious. Especially when you are listening to Bronson Pinchot narrate an audiobook like it's Talk Like a Pirate Day.
So it's probably fortunate that On Stranger Tides was optioned for the fourth movie in the series, because Powers will finally get the payday he deserves for clearly inspiring the whole supernatural take on the genre in the first place, and the story will benefit from a dose of the films'
October 30, 2010
On Stranger Tides may be the best audiobook I've listened to so far. Bronson Pinchot's narration brought this story to life in a way that my brain never could have if I had read it it print. He performed it rather than read it and the result was the most fun I've ever had listening to a book.
For a long time, the rumor mill has been saying that On Stranger Tides is to be the basis for the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie. While I was listening to this book, I looked on IMDB and found that the next Pirates movie will indeed have this title. It also shares a lot of the plot elements. Having listened to this book, it's not surprising that Disney is using it for the next Pirates movie. Written in 1988, it predates the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie by 15 years. It is so much like that successful movie franchise that it wouldn't surprise me at all if the creators had a group read of this novel.
On Stranger Tides blends pirates, voodoo, a damsel in distress, and the Fountain of Youth into a rollicking good story. It's got a really good creepiness factor that made it a perfect pre-Halloween listen. The gruesome parts aren't any more gruesome that what has already been in those Disney movies.
I highly recommend this as an audiobook. I won't even suggest trying to read this in print. Even for those of you who don't normally listen to audiobooks, give this a shot. It's absolutely wonderful and may just get you hooked on audio.
For a long time, the rumor mill has been saying that On Stranger Tides is to be the basis for the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie. While I was listening to this book, I looked on IMDB and found that the next Pirates movie will indeed have this title. It also shares a lot of the plot elements. Having listened to this book, it's not surprising that Disney is using it for the next Pirates movie. Written in 1988, it predates the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie by 15 years. It is so much like that successful movie franchise that it wouldn't surprise me at all if the creators had a group read of this novel.
On Stranger Tides blends pirates, voodoo, a damsel in distress, and the Fountain of Youth into a rollicking good story. It's got a really good creepiness factor that made it a perfect pre-Halloween listen. The gruesome parts aren't any more gruesome that what has already been in those Disney movies.
I highly recommend this as an audiobook. I won't even suggest trying to read this in print. Even for those of you who don't normally listen to audiobooks, give this a shot. It's absolutely wonderful and may just get you hooked on audio.
May 6, 2022
I don’t write reviews.
And I don’t have an easy time collecting my thoughts regarding books I’ve enjoyed. The ideas come more smoothly when going on about a let-down book. Maybe I’m a grumpy Gus, a negative Nancy, who has more fun complaining than complimenting.
This book deserves all of the latter and next to none of the former. How about a punchy list of the things that were great? Yes? Let’s roll: Pirates. Vodun. Ghost pirates. Ships and sloops. Loa magic. Puppeteering. More pirates. (“I am not a dog.”) Compassionate male and female leads. Zombie pirates. Captain Phil Davies. A one-armed man gone mad. Resurrected zombie slaves. Creepy spellcraft hypno-theater body takeover. A fat momma’s boy obsessed with power. Thrills chills and spills. The fountain for which Ponce De Leon was forever searching. Ah and yes let’s not forget, love and loyalty.
Only one tiny minuscule thing that made me a bit sad, but it all turned out alright. I won’t say. That’d be telling. Read it and I’m sure you’ll love this one as much as I did.
And I don’t have an easy time collecting my thoughts regarding books I’ve enjoyed. The ideas come more smoothly when going on about a let-down book. Maybe I’m a grumpy Gus, a negative Nancy, who has more fun complaining than complimenting.
This book deserves all of the latter and next to none of the former. How about a punchy list of the things that were great? Yes? Let’s roll: Pirates. Vodun. Ghost pirates. Ships and sloops. Loa magic. Puppeteering. More pirates. (“I am not a dog.”) Compassionate male and female leads. Zombie pirates. Captain Phil Davies. A one-armed man gone mad. Resurrected zombie slaves. Creepy spellcraft hypno-theater body takeover. A fat momma’s boy obsessed with power. Thrills chills and spills. The fountain for which Ponce De Leon was forever searching. Ah and yes let’s not forget, love and loyalty.
Only one tiny minuscule thing that made me a bit sad, but it all turned out alright. I won’t say. That’d be telling. Read it and I’m sure you’ll love this one as much as I did.
August 1, 2019
My theory is this: when Disney decided to make a movie out of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, some imagineer was assigned to read a bunch of stuff about pirates and figure out a story for it. And that poor lil imagineer stumbled across this gem and was like, WHOA. Not just the movie On Stranger Tides comes from this, but the whole franchise owes a LOT to this book. I only wish it hadn't been so short. I feel like much of it was rushed and that it could have been much longer or even a series.
March 6, 2016
I tried to concentrate on what was happening, but I couldn't delve into the details that this book offered. My unfortunate reading experience reflects the score of this flawed book. The prologue and epilogue are the most well written and most climactic parts, respectively. There's something wrong with the author's style, as far as I'm concerned. It's like an ill tuned radio. Nothing really comes out of the pages and grabs you. One of those books I would have- indeed once did - abandoned reading.
It's a well written book though, and it must have fans that swear by it. The same book that enchants others made me despair. I wish I could get any inkling what I'm missing. But despite the fact that I read every single word of this doomed book, I'll never know. Now, to the next book!
It's a well written book though, and it must have fans that swear by it. The same book that enchants others made me despair. I wish I could get any inkling what I'm missing. But despite the fact that I read every single word of this doomed book, I'll never know. Now, to the next book!
March 26, 2023
An odd, but rather enchanting adventure by Powers, set in the 'Golden Age' of Caribbean piracy (1722 or thereabouts). A brief prologue centers on some strange vodun ceremony so you know there is going to be lots of vodun foo here! Add in some pirates, the fountain of youth, the British Navy, the odd zombie and you get quite a stew. Our main protagonist, 'Jack Shandy' (his pirate name), starts the novel on a ship bound for Jamaica, to eventually confront his larcenous uncle who stole the family fortune so to speak. Jack, along with his father, worked as a puppeteer, traveling throughout Europe, basically just getting by. After his father's death, he is now on a mission, but alas, their ship is taken by pirates just before they hit Jamaica!
Powers really did his homework here, as many of the pirate characters were real historical figures, although he certainly takes a 'poetic license' to be sure. Edward Teech, AKA Blackbeard, is someone the world knew very little about before he became a privateer than then pirate, so Powers gives us his backstory, where he was raised in the outlaw mountains of Jamaica and became a powerful vodun 'priest'. Powers even gives a pretty accurate rendition of Blackbeard's last stand, including the statements he yelled to the British navel ships.
In any case, Powers packs a lot of action/adventure into his book, with the over all plot of Jack Shandy trying to rescue a woman he traveled with on the ship to the West Indies from England (note-- this could be really hokey, but Powers makes it work) from her demented father and his odd sidekick. Along the way, Shandy and company go on a quest for the Fountain of Youth, encounter a British man-o-war and spend some quality time in the Bahamas. Excellent pacing and the ending was just about perfect. This was my first book by Powers, but definitely not my last. 4.5 zombie pirate stars, rounding up!!
Powers really did his homework here, as many of the pirate characters were real historical figures, although he certainly takes a 'poetic license' to be sure. Edward Teech, AKA Blackbeard, is someone the world knew very little about before he became a privateer than then pirate, so Powers gives us his backstory, where he was raised in the outlaw mountains of Jamaica and became a powerful vodun 'priest'. Powers even gives a pretty accurate rendition of Blackbeard's last stand, including the statements he yelled to the British navel ships.
In any case, Powers packs a lot of action/adventure into his book, with the over all plot of Jack Shandy trying to rescue a woman he traveled with on the ship to the West Indies from England (note-- this could be really hokey, but Powers makes it work) from her demented father and his odd sidekick. Along the way, Shandy and company go on a quest for the Fountain of Youth, encounter a British man-o-war and spend some quality time in the Bahamas. Excellent pacing and the ending was just about perfect. This was my first book by Powers, but definitely not my last. 4.5 zombie pirate stars, rounding up!!
October 25, 2016
Ahoy mates!
No, I didn't look here for Jack Sparrow. Nor Johnny Depp. This book caught my attention with promise of meeting Baron Samedi. And you can't say "no" to Baron just because you're not into pirate stories! So I picked it up and started turning pages and I wasn't disappointed. I really liked it, surprisingly, even though I didn't get to meet the Baron, at least not the way I imagined.
The pirates were their usual – drinking, cursing, fighting and robbing bastards. Pretty much all you can expect of them and what you'd get in any other pirate tale.
What I loved and found really interesting was magic of the New World, wild and untamed. The way Powers describes magic makes you actually believe in its existence. It's everywhere - in air and soil, and especially sea water, and on the fingertips of any decent pirate. Or not just pirate. It's in every drop of blood. And the blood runs free here, which surely isn't unexpected.
I especially liked the part about the trip to Erebus. Not to mention all those ghosts, loas and voodoo charms and curses. And zombies. Although I don't have a particularly warm feelings for these guys in general, they have their place here.
It's a light and fun read and a must-read for fans of Pirates Of The Caribbean.
No, I didn't look here for Jack Sparrow. Nor Johnny Depp. This book caught my attention with promise of meeting Baron Samedi. And you can't say "no" to Baron just because you're not into pirate stories! So I picked it up and started turning pages and I wasn't disappointed. I really liked it, surprisingly, even though I didn't get to meet the Baron, at least not the way I imagined.
The pirates were their usual – drinking, cursing, fighting and robbing bastards. Pretty much all you can expect of them and what you'd get in any other pirate tale.
What I loved and found really interesting was magic of the New World, wild and untamed. The way Powers describes magic makes you actually believe in its existence. It's everywhere - in air and soil, and especially sea water, and on the fingertips of any decent pirate. Or not just pirate. It's in every drop of blood. And the blood runs free here, which surely isn't unexpected.
I especially liked the part about the trip to Erebus. Not to mention all those ghosts, loas and voodoo charms and curses. And zombies. Although I don't have a particularly warm feelings for these guys in general, they have their place here.
It's a light and fun read and a must-read for fans of Pirates Of The Caribbean.
November 22, 2010
4.0 to 4.5 stars. This is an excellent book and one that I could easily see myself giving 5 stars to if I had been more in the mood for a slightly leisurely pace. The writing is superb, the plot is complex and intelligent and the magical elements are really uniquely done and very interesting. I especially enjoyed the discussion near the end of the book of WHY magic has disappeared from the European continent). These kinds of details always add to the richness of the narrative.
In brief, the story takes place in the 18th century and centers around John Chandagnac (aka "Jack Shandy") who has booked passage to the "New world" to avenge himself against his Uncle who he blames for his Father's death. There is another important plot thread involving a brillint scientist who has become unhinged by the death of his wife. Combine those two plot threads with pirates (including the legendary Blackbeard), voodoo magic, the Fountain of Youth, zombies and some excellent, excellent writing by Tim Powers and you have a superb novel.
I mentioned above the pacing as the reason I did not give this 5 stars and I want to say one thing about that. I do not think the pacing was poorly done or was an inherent flaw. This comment was based more on my particular mood when reading the book and I should probably have waited for a different time to read the book. Some of my favorite books (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell being a great example) have a very leisurely pace and I absolutely loved them. It just goes to show that mood matters when you are reading.
Nominee: Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
Nominee: World Fantasy Award for Best Novel
In brief, the story takes place in the 18th century and centers around John Chandagnac (aka "Jack Shandy") who has booked passage to the "New world" to avenge himself against his Uncle who he blames for his Father's death. There is another important plot thread involving a brillint scientist who has become unhinged by the death of his wife. Combine those two plot threads with pirates (including the legendary Blackbeard), voodoo magic, the Fountain of Youth, zombies and some excellent, excellent writing by Tim Powers and you have a superb novel.
I mentioned above the pacing as the reason I did not give this 5 stars and I want to say one thing about that. I do not think the pacing was poorly done or was an inherent flaw. This comment was based more on my particular mood when reading the book and I should probably have waited for a different time to read the book. Some of my favorite books (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell being a great example) have a very leisurely pace and I absolutely loved them. It just goes to show that mood matters when you are reading.
Nominee: Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
Nominee: World Fantasy Award for Best Novel
August 19, 2007
My twenty-year-old copy of this this novel has "science fiction" printed on the spine as the genre designation, but it's no more sf than it is a roast beef sandwich. It is, however, a fun novel about pirates and voodoo and pirates and zombies and pirates and puppets and... did I mention it's a pirate story? This -is- what the Johnny Depp movies -wanted- to be.
April 24, 2017
He dudado bastante entre darle o no la 4 estrella y al final no se la doy porque otras historias que les he puesto esa cuarta me gustaron más. De todas formas es un 3.5/5
Me ha gustado el punto de partida de la historia, el uso de la magia que se hace durante la trama y sobre todo las escenas de acción, muy bien narradas y dinámicas.
No me ha convencido que la historia va de más a menos a partir de mitad de esta, ni tampoco los personajes, bastante planos y que al final me he quedado con la sensación de que se le podría haber sacado más jugo a esta novela.
De cualquier modo es una lectura amena y que se lee muy bien.
Como siempre os dejo el enlace a mi blog por si queréis darle un vistazo a la reseña que dejé allí.
http://fantasiascifiymuchomas.blogspo...
Me ha gustado el punto de partida de la historia, el uso de la magia que se hace durante la trama y sobre todo las escenas de acción, muy bien narradas y dinámicas.
No me ha convencido que la historia va de más a menos a partir de mitad de esta, ni tampoco los personajes, bastante planos y que al final me he quedado con la sensación de que se le podría haber sacado más jugo a esta novela.
De cualquier modo es una lectura amena y que se lee muy bien.
Como siempre os dejo el enlace a mi blog por si queréis darle un vistazo a la reseña que dejé allí.
http://fantasiascifiymuchomas.blogspo...
January 30, 2010
I seem to have a pattern of getting books I really look forward to, only to be somewhat disappointed in them. Perhaps if I had not had such high hopes and expectations I would've liked it more?
The pacing was a bit slow, and it was definitely not one where I couldn't wait to get back into it. I did like Shandy and Davies and Skank. I think my favorite part was watching Shandy turn into a pirate and accept his role, and to find that they were, despite their wicked ways, actually good guys. Honor amongst thieves and all that. And I liked the magic and how it was explained, again I liked Shandy's development in this area, and I liked how the different types of loas where described and understood. He seemed to do a fair bit of research in this regard.
But beyond that, the characters were mostly flat, the romantic plot-line, while a driving force, felt sort of tacked on - but perhaps that's because Beth was such a damsel in distress, and I would've preferred a bit more Elizabeth Swan.
Overall it was an enjoyable enough action story, though a bit ponderous in places, but it just didn't grab me overmuch.
The pacing was a bit slow, and it was definitely not one where I couldn't wait to get back into it. I did like Shandy and Davies and Skank. I think my favorite part was watching Shandy turn into a pirate and accept his role, and to find that they were, despite their wicked ways, actually good guys. Honor amongst thieves and all that. And I liked the magic and how it was explained, again I liked Shandy's development in this area, and I liked how the different types of loas where described and understood. He seemed to do a fair bit of research in this regard.
But beyond that, the characters were mostly flat, the romantic plot-line, while a driving force, felt sort of tacked on - but perhaps that's because Beth was such a damsel in distress, and I would've preferred a bit more Elizabeth Swan.
Overall it was an enjoyable enough action story, though a bit ponderous in places, but it just didn't grab me overmuch.
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March 5, 2012
The prologue is gripping, the first chapter drags a bit, but the rest of the story is incredible. Powers manages to weave together the history of piracy, the age of sail, new world vodoun, and old world magic into an amazing tale which has served as the basis for both the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and the Monkey Island computer game series -- indeed, re-reading it now as an adult I realize that many elements from the first half of the book were used as a jumping off point for the television series "LOST"! Ponce de Leon, Blackbeard and Baron Samedi all make appearances and it contains a fascinating explanation for why magic ceased to work in the Old World and seemed to flourish in the New World for centuries after the "discovery" of those lands.
Be forewarned, the structure of the narrative is non-traditional, flowing far more like real life than your standard fictional story. If you enjoy that, then this book will be delightful; if you don't, then you might want to search for something else a little more common.
Be forewarned, the structure of the narrative is non-traditional, flowing far more like real life than your standard fictional story. If you enjoy that, then this book will be delightful; if you don't, then you might want to search for something else a little more common.
June 11, 2022
Me olvidé por completo de la reseña, oh-
No recuerdo exactamente lo que iba a escribir, pero sí que era algo bueno. La verdad es que al principio se me hizo un poco cuesta arriba, quizá las primeras cien páginas se me atragantaron y por un momento pensé que era mejor parar de leerlo, pero había leído ya otras reseñas, incluyendo la de la persona que me lo recomendó y simplemente tenía que seguir. "He leído cosas peores" fue mi mantra hasta que cerca de la página 200 empezó a ponerse más interesante, luego fue una montaña rusa y el epílogo estuvo a la altura del resto de la novela. Creo que es de las pocas cosas de piratería que he leído, me ha encantado y repetiría con otro del autor, quizá no exactamente este por su comienzo, pero para nada me ha desagradado el resto.
No recuerdo exactamente lo que iba a escribir, pero sí que era algo bueno. La verdad es que al principio se me hizo un poco cuesta arriba, quizá las primeras cien páginas se me atragantaron y por un momento pensé que era mejor parar de leerlo, pero había leído ya otras reseñas, incluyendo la de la persona que me lo recomendó y simplemente tenía que seguir. "He leído cosas peores" fue mi mantra hasta que cerca de la página 200 empezó a ponerse más interesante, luego fue una montaña rusa y el epílogo estuvo a la altura del resto de la novela. Creo que es de las pocas cosas de piratería que he leído, me ha encantado y repetiría con otro del autor, quizá no exactamente este por su comienzo, pero para nada me ha desagradado el resto.
October 8, 2013
I give this book 3.5 star.
From a perspective, this is a unique book for me. I have never read a pirate fiction, or naval adventure fiction before, or voodoo-based magic. I admit I am still confused with the ship terms, which means i could not imagine a complete picture when reading about a scene on a ship. Regardless of the trivial details of the setting, I could follow the storyline.
But from other perspective, this book is so standard with stereotype plot formula. The first and second chapter is good for introductions, but I believe many readers could read/predict some details will be important to make surprises at the end of the book.
Then the story development is a bit predictable at middle part of the book. Even with surprises of the voodoo magic and fantastic realms, the middle part up to 3/4 of the book is just passable 2 star for me.
After reading a lot of stories with good character development this year, I found many of the characters of this book feel flat, but I can tolerate it because this novel only has 322 pages.
The last quarter of the book saves this story. I don't know if it is intentional or not, but the border between 3rd and 4th quarter is on chapter 23, which I praised so much on the comment. I can say that I satisfied with the climax and ending.
I cannot help myself comparing this book with The Anubis Gates for the writing style and the magic rules (I won't spoil more), but unfortunately TAG has superior plot with the time-travel twists.
In summary, it is a good novel, but definitely not the Tim Power's best.
From a perspective, this is a unique book for me. I have never read a pirate fiction, or naval adventure fiction before, or voodoo-based magic. I admit I am still confused with the ship terms, which means i could not imagine a complete picture when reading about a scene on a ship. Regardless of the trivial details of the setting, I could follow the storyline.
But from other perspective, this book is so standard with stereotype plot formula. The first and second chapter is good for introductions, but I believe many readers could read/predict some details will be important to make surprises at the end of the book.
Then the story development is a bit predictable at middle part of the book. Even with surprises of the voodoo magic and fantastic realms, the middle part up to 3/4 of the book is just passable 2 star for me.
After reading a lot of stories with good character development this year, I found many of the characters of this book feel flat, but I can tolerate it because this novel only has 322 pages.
The last quarter of the book saves this story. I don't know if it is intentional or not, but the border between 3rd and 4th quarter is on chapter 23, which I praised so much on the comment. I can say that I satisfied with the climax and ending.
I cannot help myself comparing this book with The Anubis Gates for the writing style and the magic rules (I won't spoil more), but unfortunately TAG has superior plot with the time-travel twists.
In summary, it is a good novel, but definitely not the Tim Power's best.
August 25, 2016
This pulpy and wildly implausible, in a retro, Men's Adventure sort of way. It has pirates, Blackbeard (though they don't call him Blackbeard most of the time), damsels in distress, voodoo and zombies.
Oh, and a main character who's magically good at everything he does. Despite never handling a sword, he's able to teach a swordsman new tricks within minutes of picking one up. Despite never firing a gun, he's able to give the pirates lessons on accuracy within an hour. Despite never cooking for a crowd, he becomes a gourmet chef within days. Despite never working on a ship, he's able to take command of one within a couple of weeks (and is actually listened to by the crew). Despite never having studied voodoo, he's able to duke it out with the masters within a couple of months. And why is he so good at everything? He's a puppeteer!
Sigh.
All its flaws just stood out to me more and more as the book progressed, and what was eye-roll worthy but tolerable near the start of the book was less and less appealing as the book went on. By the end, even the narration that I started off thinking was good became like nails on chalk boards.
I enjoyed Powers' Last Call very much, so I've been picking up his books as I've found them on sale for a couple of years now but this one was such a flop for me that now I'm dreading trying to read my way through the rest of the backlog.
Oh, and a main character who's magically good at everything he does. Despite never handling a sword, he's able to teach a swordsman new tricks within minutes of picking one up. Despite never firing a gun, he's able to give the pirates lessons on accuracy within an hour. Despite never cooking for a crowd, he becomes a gourmet chef within days. Despite never working on a ship, he's able to take command of one within a couple of weeks (and is actually listened to by the crew). Despite never having studied voodoo, he's able to duke it out with the masters within a couple of months. And why is he so good at everything? He's a puppeteer!
Sigh.
All its flaws just stood out to me more and more as the book progressed, and what was eye-roll worthy but tolerable near the start of the book was less and less appealing as the book went on. By the end, even the narration that I started off thinking was good became like nails on chalk boards.
I enjoyed Powers' Last Call very much, so I've been picking up his books as I've found them on sale for a couple of years now but this one was such a flop for me that now I'm dreading trying to read my way through the rest of the backlog.
October 9, 2015
With a damsel in distress, pirates and pirate ships, voodoo, magic, ghosts, the Fountain of Youth, swashbuckling sword fights, puppet theater, cannons, prisoners, games of wits, Blackbeard, and zombies--with all of these elements, a book like this has got to be fun! And it is; a bunch of really fun characters, fast-moving plot, humorous twists in the story line, all help to make this an enjoyable read.
Actually, I did not read this book; I listened to the audiobook. Bronson Pinchot does an excellent narration, giving each character a unique sound. My only complaint is with the sound engineering. The sound level is very weak, and some characters are barely audible. Blackstone Audio should do better.
Actually, I did not read this book; I listened to the audiobook. Bronson Pinchot does an excellent narration, giving each character a unique sound. My only complaint is with the sound engineering. The sound level is very weak, and some characters are barely audible. Blackstone Audio should do better.
March 16, 2021
"No eres tú, soy yo" se podría decir de lo que me ha pasado con este libro, porque está entretenido y no tengo nada que reprocharle y sin embargo no he conectado con él.
No sé si porqué habrá sido, si por lo del bloqueo lector que tanto oigo por estas tierras de GoodReads o simplemente porque hay momentos en que ciertos libros no cuajan y de leerlos en otra situación hubiera sido distinto.
En cualquier caso, si te van los piratas y el vudú no dejes de leerlo, ten en cuenta que sobre este libro está inspirada la 4º de piratas del caribe y también los juegos Monkey Island beben de este libro.
No sé si porqué habrá sido, si por lo del bloqueo lector que tanto oigo por estas tierras de GoodReads o simplemente porque hay momentos en que ciertos libros no cuajan y de leerlos en otra situación hubiera sido distinto.
En cualquier caso, si te van los piratas y el vudú no dejes de leerlo, ten en cuenta que sobre este libro está inspirada la 4º de piratas del caribe y también los juegos Monkey Island beben de este libro.
December 22, 2022
On Stranger Tides is a historical romance in the best sense of the word; an old-fashioned adventure story that knows exactly what it is and will happily take yet another reader along for the ride. Pirates! Zombies! Voodoo! The famed Fountain of Youth! Villainous evil villains! (The famous Blackbeard is a dark sorcerer in this book.) Ghosts! Ghost ships! Dark, sticky magic!
The setting is great. Tim Powers has done his homework very well, and at the same time he paints an image of the Caribbean that truly belongs in a romance – a world where adventures happen all the time and heroes prevail against all odds.
Also, if you have read The Anubis Gates, you’ll love how On Stranger Tides begins with quotes from Coleridge and William Ashbless. “Yes,” you’ll say, “now I know exactly what to expect.”
The setting is great. Tim Powers has done his homework very well, and at the same time he paints an image of the Caribbean that truly belongs in a romance – a world where adventures happen all the time and heroes prevail against all odds.
Also, if you have read The Anubis Gates, you’ll love how On Stranger Tides begins with quotes from Coleridge and William Ashbless. “Yes,” you’ll say, “now I know exactly what to expect.”
February 6, 2019
Voodoo and pirates all in one book, awesome!!. Great read, I highly recommend it
September 23, 2023
È il 1718, in piena età d'oro della pirateria; John Chandagnac è in viaggio sulla Carmichael, diretto ai Caraibi, dove vorrebbe vendicare la morte del padre François sullo zio, presunto mandante. La nave viene però attaccata dai pirati di Phil Davies; John si unisce a loro e assume il nome di Jack Shandy. Da lì in poi, il romanzo è un'emozionante sequenza di arrembaggi, battaglie navali, incontri con zombie, fantasmi, stregoni voodoo e nientemeno che Barbanera stesso, il personaggio più riuscito dell'opera grazie alla sua ambiguità.
Il libro mi ha divertito: si tratta di un'avventura emozionante e ricca di colpi di scena coinvolgenti, sullo sfondo di uno dei periodi storici più affascinanti. L'elemento fantasy e quello storico convivono con naturalezza e rendono la lettura piacevole.
Il più grosso difetto riguarda però il protagonista, John/Jack. Sebbene abbia due motivazioni forti (il desiderio di vendetta sullo zio e il desiderio di proteggere la sua amata, Beth Hurwood, dalle grinfie di suo padre, del losco stregone Leo Friend e di altri individui), esse vengono sfruttate malissimo nel corso del romanzo. Per la maggior parte del tempo, egli sembra mosso dagli avvenimenti che lo circondano, e i sue due obiettivi emergono solo quando la trama rischia di arenarsi, in modo da far ripartire gli eventi, ma vengono subito dopo messi da parte. In questo modo, John/Jack risulta poco comprensibile e tutto sommato scritto male.
Nonostante questo difetto, consiglio il libro a chiunque voglia leggere un fantasy diverso dal solito per ambientazione.
Il libro mi ha divertito: si tratta di un'avventura emozionante e ricca di colpi di scena coinvolgenti, sullo sfondo di uno dei periodi storici più affascinanti. L'elemento fantasy e quello storico convivono con naturalezza e rendono la lettura piacevole.
Il più grosso difetto riguarda però il protagonista, John/Jack. Sebbene abbia due motivazioni forti (il desiderio di vendetta sullo zio e il desiderio di proteggere la sua amata, Beth Hurwood, dalle grinfie di suo padre, del losco stregone Leo Friend e di altri individui), esse vengono sfruttate malissimo nel corso del romanzo. Per la maggior parte del tempo, egli sembra mosso dagli avvenimenti che lo circondano, e i sue due obiettivi emergono solo quando la trama rischia di arenarsi, in modo da far ripartire gli eventi, ma vengono subito dopo messi da parte. In questo modo, John/Jack risulta poco comprensibile e tutto sommato scritto male.
Nonostante questo difetto, consiglio il libro a chiunque voglia leggere un fantasy diverso dal solito per ambientazione.
April 25, 2012
This is one of Tim's older novels, but it's a doozy. I love the characters, the action, the whole magic, the use of nautical history... I love sailing ships, so this was a special treat.
The underlying human story is about how John Chandagnac goes from proper, uninvolved and rather shallow gentleman to Jack Shandy, a pirate with the emotional depths of the seas he sails. This is a perfect storm of a book in many ways. I mean, it's got a virtuous yet flawed hero (who cooks!), towering evil for him to fight, ambiguous good guy/bad guys, magic, pirates (with magic), naval battles (with magic), cool voodoo mages, walking undead, spirits, the Fountain of Youth, a damsel in distress, implacable foes (with magic) and, of course, true love. Which, as we all know, is the greatest thing in the world-except for a nice mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich.
I was reading this book, see, ahttp://www.goodreads.com/review/list... marveling at how well Tim puts you in the world with his physical descriptions and thinking "Somebody's got to make this into a movie" when I find out that someone wants to make this into a movie. That someone being the crew from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Well, yeah, it won't be like this great book, but with Tim Powers' story at the center, it could still be a good movie.
The underlying human story is about how John Chandagnac goes from proper, uninvolved and rather shallow gentleman to Jack Shandy, a pirate with the emotional depths of the seas he sails. This is a perfect storm of a book in many ways. I mean, it's got a virtuous yet flawed hero (who cooks!), towering evil for him to fight, ambiguous good guy/bad guys, magic, pirates (with magic), naval battles (with magic), cool voodoo mages, walking undead, spirits, the Fountain of Youth, a damsel in distress, implacable foes (with magic) and, of course, true love. Which, as we all know, is the greatest thing in the world-except for a nice mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich.
I was reading this book, see, ahttp://www.goodreads.com/review/list... marveling at how well Tim puts you in the world with his physical descriptions and thinking "Somebody's got to make this into a movie" when I find out that someone wants to make this into a movie. That someone being the crew from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Well, yeah, it won't be like this great book, but with Tim Powers' story at the center, it could still be a good movie.
June 10, 2017
If you are thinking "I really want to read the source material for the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, but with less interesting characters, less coherent plot, and a system of magic that makes absolutely no sense," then this book is for you.
Allow me to summarize (spoilers ahead but honestly you aren't going to read it for the plot, you're going to read it because even lame pirates are cool).
Allow me to summarize (spoilers ahead but honestly you aren't going to read it for the plot, you're going to read it because even lame pirates are cool).
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