ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tom Morrisey is a mountaineer, aviator, shipwreck diver, and explorer, who holds a Full Cave certification from the National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section.He has launched, edited or contributed to numerous national publications and is an award-winning adventure-travel writer. A popular speaker, he is also active in both evangelism and the arts. Morrisey earned an MFA in creative writing from Bowling Green State University, and his fiction has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines.
His first novel, Yucatan Deep (Zondervan, 2002) was a finalist for the Christy award, and he is the author of six novels, including Wind River and In High Places. In addition Tom has also written two nonfiction books: 20 American Peaks & Crags (Contemporary Books, 1978) and Wild by Nature (Baker Books, 2001). He and his family live in Orlando, Florida.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
High Seas Adventure Meets a High-Tech Quest for Pirate Gold West Indies, 18th century: Young Ted Bascombe is rescued by notorious pirate Captain Henry Thatch, finding himself caught up in a world of crime, adventure, and a daily fight for freedom....
Key West, 21st century: Marine archaeologist Greg Rhode embarks on a treasure-hunting expedition in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, but he's as beguiled by a beautiful diver with different-colored eyes as by the lure of pirate gold...
The Hunt Is On! Interweaving these two stories, pro deep-sea diver Tom Morrisey spins a multilayered tale of two young men's quests to escape their past by losing themselves to adventure on the high seas. Romantic and thrilling, this unique novel explores the timeless truth that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
If you would like to read the first chapter of Pirate Hunter, go HERE
MY THOUGHTS:
Those of you from my generation may remember the old Certs commercial "Certs is two, two, two mints in one!" Well, Pirate Hunter is two, two, two books in one! While one story is set in the 19th century days of pirating and slave ships, the other is thoroughly modern, set in the 21st century with computers, state-of-the-art diving equipment and other technological conveniences. Yet common to every century are not only the amazing "way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden," but also the troublesome tensions of heartache and family relationships. Tom Morrisey has expertly woven these two stories together as each chapter seamlessly flows from one to the other. While it is fairly evident what the final connection will be between the two, it isn't clear how this will occur. Although I would imagine this story would appeal to more men than women, I enjoyed it more than I anticipated due to the relationships portrayed. When I received this book & began reading it, I immediately knew my boy would probably like it for the adventure aspects. But my one beef was the thought process deliniated by Greg (in the modern-day story) regarding the alternative se*ual lifestyle when he is told a friend is les**ian. I thought the brief "rabbit trail" was unneccesary and just another politically correct & subtle insertion designed to dull our response to that behavior and lifestyle. My family is bombarded with that enough in the secular world; I don't expect to encounter it in Christian fiction. But other than that, this was a great tale (or two!) of adventure and a great reminder that wisdom is better than gold!
I have to say that the "rabbit trail" will probably turn me off from this book. I get so frustrated with secular movies/books that are really good except for that "one scene" they felt they had to put in for the rating. I am with you, I don't expect that out of my christian writers. It is disappointing.
ReplyDeleteI guessed right! I figured the little aside was your one flaw find. However, once I discovered the why behind it, I had a good laugh! Yet...it's not something to laugh about. I realize that. I'm still reading, so I'll give my full opinion soon.
ReplyDeleteI am loving this book!!
I understand where you are coming from - however . . . as Christians we have to learn how to deal in the attitude of Christ with those who choose that "lifestyle". My daughter is a les**ian and I love her no differently than I love my other daughters and I love her partner! We need to remember who Jesus chose as His disciples and who He hung with and it wasn't the "religious" right. In fact it was those He threw the law at and said they were wrong.
ReplyDeleteAndi -
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughtful comment. I totally get what you are saying. But the situation in the book that I was referring to was not one in which the character(s) were "deal(ing) in the attitude of Christ" but were just flippantly joking and accepting it as no big deal. I didn't see a Christian worldview in that scenario in the book.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteNo worries my friend. It should bother us all more than it does that we would feel comfortable joking about the sinful lifestyle of the Sodomites. Yes, we are to love them, but we are to love them enough to tell them they are living in a way that God clearly condemns and encourage them to turn from it and repent.
Since this issue is rendered a moot point in the story, I did not mention it in my review, but joking about it...given the reasons behind the mirage...fit the particular characters.
However, like you, if I were going to share this book with my teens (who I think would LOVE it) I would give them a heads up on that particular scene. It's a narrow path we walk as parents sometimes, but the Lord will lead us.
This really was a great story, and I think God's redemptive power to save is beautifully displayed despite the off-color joking about the Sodomites.
Isn't it great that we can all share our opinions?
Sorry Kim, I respectfully disagree. I have several gay friends who I love dearly and I don't find it my "job" to tell them that they are living a life outside of God's will. I believe it is my responsibility to love them and through that love allow God to do the rest.
ReplyDeleteAnd Linda you are welcome! I haven't finished the book yet, I've got a lot going on so I'm still in the midst of it. : )