The Great Train Robbery: A Novel (First Vintage Books)

Seeing the excellent movie made from this book (directed by Michael Crichton) reminded me that I'd never read the book, so I sought out a library copy. After reading it, I decided I wanted to own it and was able to find a very satisfactory used copy and read it again. In the director's commentary on the film DVD, Crichton says that he wanted it to be something between a documentary and just a caper flick. I'm not sure how well he succeeds in that in the film; the set decorators and costume designers did a great job, but this "show, don't tell" approach can do only so much. The book, on the other hand, includes numerous essays on life in Victorian times: about the growth of railroads and the importance of trains and why the train robbery was so shocking, about safes and locks and the security of the times, about the position of women and the difficulty of being an old maid, about "ratting sports," about the activities of Rotten Row, about the Crystal Palace, about Victorian horror of premature burial, and about all manner of crimes and deceptions, with details that are only hinted at in the film. But this very factual historical background makes it very tempting to believe that the entire story is true--which it is not. Not that it isn't very convincing. As you read the book, you have to firmly remind yourself of this because Crichton confidently quotes verbatim from invented newspaper stories and includes extended excerpts from entirely fictitious books. The best example of this is detailed at http://hnn.us/article/153726 ("A Tale Worthy of Poe: The Myth of George Bateson and his Belfry"). The cultural history is just lagniappe, though. The distinctive characters and meticulously plotted story are what make this book worth rereading. On rereading, I was impressed and pleased again by the design of the book--not just the typography and graphics but the way Crichton has divided the story into discrete parts and chapters almost like acts and scenes. Most of the chapters are quite short, and each is a little jewel that advances just one aspect of the plot. Having become more knowledgeable about the actual Great Train Robbery of 1855, and having listened to Crichton's director's commentary on the movie DVD, I was even more impressed with this book the second time through. When I first read it, I was impressed with the amount of research Crichton had done and the way he made it read like fiction. The second time I knew that it was almost entirely fiction, so I was equally impressed with his creativity and imagination. As he says on the DVD, "the original episode...was considerably more seedy," and "the real details are sordid and grubby and lacking in drama." Although Crichton did not base his story on the trial transcripts (which he didn't know existed) or on actual newspaper stories (though the book includes several such that he invented), it is clear that he must have done at least some research on the original crime, as the story he tells does match the historical event at some points. But, as he says of the film, "I really like this train robbery a lot better. I'm much more pleased with this version." Indeed. Crichton has made a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and it is well worth reading. For readers who have enjoyed the book, I do also recommend the film, which is equally excellent in its own way, and I especially recommend listening to the director's commentary, which brings out many fascinating aspects of the story.

4.5/5 I was swept away by The Great Train Robbery’s vivid dive into 1855 London. Michael Crichton crafts a world so rich you can smell the coal smoke and hear the clatter of train wheels. This isn’t just a heist—it’s a vibrant portrait of Victorian life, from glittering bank halls to grimy slums. The story shines with details: bare-knuckle boxing dens, the buzz of the Crimean War, even the quirks of early police work. Crichton’s knack for weaving these into the plot, often with a sly chuckle, makes every page pop with history. Edward Pierce, the heist’s mastermind, is a captivating rogue—polished yet ruthless, outwitting everyone with sharp plans and quick accents. His crew, like the tough Agar and doomed Clean Willy, brings the underworld to life. The heist’s meticulous buildup and heart-pounding payoff are pure excitement, though I missed a deeper emotional spark to match the cleverness. Still, this smart, immersive caper is a gem for anyone craving history and suspense.

This was an excellent book from the master, Michael Crichton. The story of a great train robbery in Victorian times could in the hands of a lesser author be boring. Crichton turns this tale into a rollicking adventure, filled with insight into Victorian life along the way. We follow various members of the criminal underclass as Mr. Edward Pierce and cohorts plan and carryout the robbery that enthralled a nation. Little is known about Pierce, the facts that are known come from his compatriots. A brilliant upper class man, with a taste for the finer things in life decides to rob a train carrying gold bullion meant for a bank in France to pay for the royal Crimean War. The planning and execution of the "pull" as it was known, reads like a thriller. The ups and downs are fascinating, with insight into Victorian life along the way. This book was a great deal of fun to read and listen to, though the narration was not the greatest. Narration was good, though not as clear and concise as others I have listened to. The trial and the aftermath were fascinating as well, though they were overshadowed by the Indian uprising. Having taken a break from reading his works, I had forgotten what fun his books are. Pierce was as brilliant as Maria try.

Written in a style different from most of his books, Crichton's story of the great train robbery is mesmerizing at its best. Follow the account, from planning to execution to court, to learn how this adventure came about.

It was super meh. Too much bogging-down in irrelevant minutiae. Good story, interesting enough. Mostly true, so that's neat. But this is more a treatise in good prose about Victorian England than a good Crichton story.

In 1855, England was near the height of its power. Industrialization had transformed the country, its empire stretched across most of the world, and high-speed rail was an established fact of life. In the midst of this Victorian order, Edward Pierce conceived and executed perhaps the most daring robbery up to that point in time. Specifically, he and his confederates set out to steal 12,000 pounds in gold bullion from a moving train protected by every form of security available in that age. This book is part history and part novel. Those who love a good heist will revel in the intricate planning and multiple layers of this crime. Pierce is a charismatic figure and it's impossible not to respect his intelligence as you read of his exploits. His crew is less remarkable but each is selected to play a smaller part and they play it well. At a little over 300 pages, this is not a long book and that helps maintain a brisk pace that serves the story well. There are no major lulls or boring parts that you would want to skim through. My only complaint with The Great Train Robbery is that Crichton went a little overboard with the criminal jargon of the age. Presumably to lend authenticity, he has larded the dialogue with phrases like "... he speaks a wave lag from Liverpool, and he can voker romeny." A little of this is probably a good thing, but a little also goes a long way. I'm not a big fan of Michael Crichton since I've enjoyed a few of his books but didn't care for at least as many others. He hit the mark with this one, though, and it should appeal to many people. Those interested in heists, trains, Victorian England, crime fiction, or just light entertainment should all find satisfaction here. It's not perfect, but it's well worth the short time it takes to read.

I like sci-fi stories typically but decided to try this one since it was by one of my favorite sci-fi authors. The story is based on true events and there is a lot of historical information interspliced in between the narrative sections. I actually learned a lot about Victorian England in the course of listening to this. The story was great, and long enough for a few car rides (about 8.5 hours). There aren't any voice actors or sound effects or anything like that. However, the person reading does so with enough inflection that you can easily differentiate the characters that are talking. The only strange thing is how they split it up amongst the 7 CDs: they don't end a chapter or anything, or even a paragraph. The CD just stops mid-paragraph and says to put in the next disc, then picks right up. One of the discs (I think it was 5) ends mid-conversation which I though was strange. But a minor nit overall.

This was, without a doubt the best book I've ever read. it was very well researched and written with the author's singular sense of humor, making it a very enjoyable read. I never write reviews, but this story deserves a great review. What more can I say? Get the book, read it and find out for yourself. A truly great read.