Title: San Andreas
Author: Alistair MacLean
First published January 1, 1984
285 pages, Paperback
Rating: 3.66
Overview
The San Andreas was sailing through treacherous waters when suddenly, the lights went out. What began as a peaceful voyage for the British hospital ship soon turned into a nightmare of violence and betrayal.
There was a traitor among the crew and they were playing a dangerous game of sabotage. The red crosses that adorned the ship’s sides were no longer a symbol of safety.
In fact, they had become a target for a dangerous secret that had turned the ship into a priceless quarry. With the Captain out of commission, Bosun Archie McKinnon was left to take charge.
But with the ship’s compass smashed and the frozen seas around them, they were being drawn into the enemy’s hands. Will Archie be able to navigate them through this perilous journey or will the traitor succeed in their deadly game?
About the Author
Alistair Stuart MacLean was born and raised in the Scottish Highlands. His father was a Scots Minister.
At the age of eighteen, MacLean joined the Royal Navy in 1941. After spending two and a half years aboard a cruiser, he wrote his first novel, HMS Ulysses.
This novel is a remarkable documentation of the war at sea. MacLean earned an English Honours degree at Glasgow University after the war and became a schoolmaster.
In 1983, he was awarded a D. Litt.
from the same university.
MacLean is a renowned writer in his genre and has written twenty-nine bestsellers. Many of his books have been adapted into films.
Films like The Guns of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra, and Where Eagles Dare are some of his most famous works.
Editoral Review
Alistair MacLean’s San Andreas is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. MacLean was a prolific writer who penned numerous bestsellers throughout his career.
Known for his mastery of the thriller genre, MacLean’s writing is rich with suspense and action, making San Andreas no exception. The story takes place in California, where a deadly earthquake strikes and leaves the state in chaos.
As a team of government officials and experts work to assess and minimize the damage, they soon realize that the quake may have been caused by human interference. With time running out and the threat of a second, even more destructive quake looming, they must work quickly to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
MacLean’s writing is fast-paced and engrossing. He expertly weaves together multiple plot lines, seamlessly transitioning between characters and settings.
The characters are well-drawn and complex, each with their own motivations and backstories. The tension builds steadily throughout the novel, with MacLean keeping readers guessing until the final pages.
The themes of San Andreas are as relevant today as when the book was first published. The novel explores the consequences of playing God with nature, the dangers of unchecked greed, and the impact of human actions on the environment.
Despite being set in the 1980s, the book’s message remains timely and resonant in a world facing the threat of climate change and the unpredictable consequences of technological advancements. While there are certainly strengths to San Andreas, it is not a perfect novel.
Some readers may find the pacing to be uneven at times, with certain plot points feeling rushed or underdeveloped. Others may find some of the dialogue to be stilted or overly dramatic.
However, these minor flaws do not detract significantly from the overall quality of the book. San Andreas is a must-read for fans of the thriller genre.
Its expertly crafted plot, well-drawn characters, and timely themes make it a riveting read that is sure to keep readers engaged from start to finish. Overall, we give San Andreas a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
