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Book Review

Abduction by Robin Cook - Book Review

Title
Author
Publisher

Abduction
Robin Cook
Pan

Fiction-Net Rating 3 Star Rated Book

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Cover Story

The world's best-selling master of the medical thriller, Robin Cook skillfully combines human drama and high-tech thrills with the latest breakthroughs and controversies of modern medicine. Now, in his most daring novel yet, a mysterious transmission from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean leads a crew of oceanographers and divers to a phenomenon beyond scientific understanding - and a discovery that will change everything we know about life on Earth.

We Say

Robin Cook's novel, Abduction deals with the mysteries of the sea rather than the mysteries of space. Known for his medical thrillers, Robin Cook's Abduction seems like a departure from his other books. The main characters find themselves caught up in adventure at the bottom of the sea and when faced with the unknown, they are ultimately doomed by their selfishness and lack of understanding. Through the various characters, Robin Cook examines human nature, and our reactions to things that are different to show how far we have come and how far we still have to go.

Perry Bergman is used to getting what he wants. His company's future depends on the results of the expedition at the bottom of the sea and he is only interested in results. Determined to view the drilling site, he ignores his feelings of unease and journeys to the bottom of the sea in order to ensure success. Dr. Suzanne Newell, the senior oceanographer on the expedition, is not only pretty and intelligent, but she is desperate to impress Bergman so that she can continue her research. She knows that the opportunity provided by the expedition could be priceless. Donald Fuller, an ex-naval officer, is used to being in control. Unwilling to sit and wait for things to happen or get better, Fuller takes action to change a situation that he doesn't like. Richard Adams and Michael Donaghue are underwater labourers who are used to hard work and physical activity. Uncouth and rude, they plow through their situation without any regard for the consequences.

As these five characters find themselves in a tense and impossible situation, the reader is swept along for the ride as each character tries to make the best of a difficult situation. What is perhaps the best aspect of this novel is Cook's ability to create realistic characters who respond to their situations realistically. Unfortunately, the story becomes predictable and somewhat disappointing. I was waiting to see what would happen because of the attitudes and actions of Richard and Michael, however I was disappointed.

The ending of the novel left me feeling cheated somehow and I did not feel that Cook was able to develop the story fully. Overall, I didn't feel this was one of Cook's better novels. I had the distinct feeling that I had read this same story somewhere else written by someone else. What was so disheartening was that the novel started out with such promise. Whilst I wouldn't say it was a waste of time to read this book, I don't think you would be missing much if you didn't read it.

Review by: Yumi Nagasaki-Taylor

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