Clive Kassler is a famous contemporary American writer, famous for writing adventure and adventure novels. His works are very popular among the general reader. In addition, a number of his works were filmed, which testifies to the interest in his books around the world.
short biography
Clive Kassler was born in 1931 in Illinois, but spent his youth in California. He received a good education, served in the American army, fought in Korea. After demobilization, the future famous writer worked in the advertising business. At the age of forty, after the publication of his first novel, The Mediterranean Pirate, he became famous as a talented prose writer. For a long time, Clive Kassler worked in a company for raising sunken ships, which influenced the plots of his books.
He was actively engaged in marine and underwater research and therefore is a member of several leading international geographical organizations. Currently, his authority in this area is extremely high. The author collaborated with film companies during the filming of the film based on his novel Sahara. The novels of the writer came out in millions of copies, and the main character Dirk Pitt of his popular series about the adventures of the famous scientist became one of the most popular modern characters.
First piece
Clive Kassler became known as the creator of a series of adventure novels dedicated to the search for sunken ships, treasures. His first novel in this series tells about the adventures of Pitt and his partner Georgino, who are trying to neutralize the head of smugglers, traveling both on land and in the depths of the sea. The plot of the novel turned out to be intriguing: the US naval base was attacked by an airplane from the times of the First World War. The search for the mysterious criminal leads the protagonist and his friend into the depths of the Aegean Sea, where they will find the clue to the tragedy in the cave, which in ancient times had a gloomy fame.
Reviews
Readers appreciated the interesting intrigue, which keeps in suspense until the end, exciting adventures, as well as the creation of a specific world - an underwater environment and a colorful Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Nevertheless, some users note a number of shortcomings of the novel: uninteresting humor, inattention of the author to minor characters, too much emphasis on the figure of the main character.
Composition from a new series
One of the recognized contemporary authors of adventure prose is Clive Kassler. “The Lost City” is a novel, built according to the classical scheme of composition of works of a similar genre. First, an episode from the First World War is told, then the action is transferred today. A group of researchers find the remains and armament of the deceased pilots, followed by a chain of incredible events that at first are not connected to each other, but in the end the intrigue still ends with a common denouement. The storylines are quite unusual: a terrible hunt begins behind the helmet of a deceased pilot, a television group that reports on the place of death is subjected to a terrible attack, and some new species of algae threatens to swallow the ocean.
The main characters, a professor and an oceanologist, are trying to solve the mystery of the events. This work, together with eight other novels, is part of the so-called NUMA series, created by the writer in collaboration with P. Kemprekos. According to readers, this work is not original, although everyone recognizes that the plot is exciting. However, a number of users note that the presence in the book of a large number of puzzles complicates the understanding of the plot and weakens interest.
Adventure prose
The creation of works of adventure and adventure fiction Clive Kassler became famous. Silent Waters is a typical example of a writer of this genre. The plot is based on the unsuccessful launch of NASA, the wreckage of which is lost in the American jungle. The main character, an agent of the secret services, is sent to search, who will have to find the remains of the ship.
Many novels of the writer are characterized by a combination of fantastic, adventure and scientific elements. Another characteristic feature of his prose is that adventures take place literally in all parts of the earth: on water, under water and in the air. This is related to his works with the works of another famous science fiction writer J. Verne. Clive Kassler often used historical subjects when creating his works. “Treasure” is another book about the adventures of the tireless archaeologist Dirk Pitt. One day, information falls into his hands, which makes him make an incredible assumption that the famous Alexandria Library was not destroyed, but was preserved in one of the ancient cities of America. The hero embarks on a journey, but during the search he will encounter terrorists and fanatics who do not want people to find ancient knowledge again. Readers positively evaluate this work for its interesting intrigue and plot, however, the fact that it lacks romance, although the composition itself suggests this, is a drawback.
About space
Clive Kassler, whose “Cyclops” stands out among the listed novels in that it addresses the theme of galaxy exploration, is interesting to the modern reader in that his stories cover all corners of the globe. Heroes travel in all areas, descend to the depths of the sea and overcome unimaginable spaces. The new novel is dedicated to the development of the lunar colony by the Americans. According to the plot, this project is classified, but the Soviet center becomes aware of it, which threatens humanity with a new war. Dirk Pitt, who fell in love with the reader, is trying with all his might to stop the impending conflict between the two sides, aggravated by the fact that the Americans knocked out the Soviet intelligence probe. Readers note that the plot of this book is built on the classical principle inherent to this author, but many users did not like the way he showed the relationship between the Soviet and American sides.
Other works about the famous oceanologist
Clive Kassler proved himself to be a true master of adventurous prose. Books, in which Dirk Pitt is the main character, are very popular and the love of readers. The novel "Iceberg" tells how this hero is looking for a missing ship with a very important cargo. As always, the author created a large-scale plot: the lives of many people and even the fate of the continents depend on the solution of this problem.
Another piece from the series about the adventures of the famous oceanologist is called "Night Raid." This time, Pitt is instructed to get from the bottom of the sea an important document that the American government needs. However, the British intelligence officer, who has been given the task of stopping the scientist at all costs, is trying to prevent the brave traveler.
Sea adventures
Clive Kassler, whose books were sold in huge editions around the world, wrote in the adventure-adventure genre. In his novels, the main characters are scientists and military people, all of them equally well possess both combat skill and scientific knowledge, which was reproached to the writer by some readers. Another novel by the writer, The Pacific Whirlpool, is dedicated to the next sea adventure of a cheerful researcher Dirk Pitt, who this time is looking for a sunken atomic ship. The main intrigue of the work lies in the fact that, according to the narrative, there is a threat of lethal weapons falling into the hands of terrorists.
As a rule, the action of their novels is transferred to the sea by the famous writer Clive Kassler. The author’s books are distinguished by a dynamic and interesting plot, unexpected twists, and intrigue. However, in some works, Kassler uses cliches that can be seen in modern blockbusters. In the novel "On Board!" the plot is based on the abduction of the president and the simultaneous catastrophe associated with the release of chemical weapons. The reader can be attracted to this work because here the main protagonist of dreams is Dirk Pitt. Some users note that this template technique somewhat spoils the impression of reading the novel.
Book and film adaptation
Clive Kassler created a number of memorable works in the style of adventure novels. Reviews of his novels are generally very positive. Readers love the dynamic plot, the intrigue that keeps them in suspense until the end of the story, as well as interesting characters. Others note exciting adventures and puzzles that are related either to history or to scientific problems. An indicator of the writer’s popularity is the fact that his novels were filmed. The book “Sahara” and the film of the same name are well known to the world viewer and reader, who again meet with their favorite researcher Dirk Pitt. This time, he does not sink to the depths of the sea, but goes to the African desert in order to investigate the source of environmental poisoning. At the same time, he will have to solve a number of historical secrets related to the past.
Reviews about the novel and the movie are generally positive. Readers and viewers note that although the plot is predictable, it is presented in an interesting way. They say that the novel is read easily and simply, and the audience liked the atmosphere on the screen, the acting, and the moral idea that treasure seekers are able to forget about wealth for the sake of saving human lives.
Hero traits
The reason for the popularity of Dirk Pitt among the modern reader should be sought in the fact that he combined in his person a whole series of qualities that are inherent in the world of literary and cinema heroes, who already managed to fall in love with readers and viewers. This character is a typical adventurer, somewhat reminiscent of the famous Indiana Jones. At the same time, he has a romantic mindset, is brave, enterprising and courageous. The author forces his hero to save humanity several times and perform the most unthinkable feats that, it seemed, could be invented by the most inventive fantasy. In addition, he is engaged in scientific research, travels a lot, enjoys collecting. Of course, such a set of qualities could not leave indifferent the modern reader, who was used to superheroes.
Features of creativity
Clive Kassler, all of whose books skillfully combine elements of science fiction, historical prose, and an adventurous genre, fits very well into a galaxy of modern authors who compete for their readers, each time inventing more and more incredible and exciting adventures. Kassler's works are favorably distinguished by the fact that he came up with a new hero, who became the symbol of his most famous novels, as well as the variety of places and trials through which the characters pass.