"Captain Alatriste" Topic

Picked this up in the airport on my way home from Santa Fe. The first in a series, it looks tobe a good rip roaring read. Finished this one and recomemnd it to fans of Sharpe, Hornblower, and Flashman. Fast, furious and full of derring do and steely-eyed bad guys, Viggo Mortensen is set to play the lead in a theatrical release next year.

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I bought it a month ago, tore into it…and then put it aside after two chapters. The writing style really annoyed me, I just couldn't get past that and get into the story. It sounded like it was going to be so good too. I was very disapointed.

I really liked it- maybe for the same reasons DeWolfe didn't. The author goes off on many detours mostly relating to the social and cultural scene in 17th century Madrid that don't move the central story forward much- but I enjoyed them regardless. Perez-Reverte certainly writes in a very different style and tone than Cornwell et al and no doubt this won't be to everyone's taste, but he gets a thumbs up from me. (I like his other mystery novels as well)

I liked it and promptly read the second in the series, "Purity of Blood". The writing style is failry distinct, true, so you might want to sit down and read a cbapter or two before purchasing.

Only the first two have been translated into English.

I had a similar reaction to DeWolfe; fortunately I borrowed a copy from my local library so at least I didn't lose any money. I wouldn't be surprised if it has lost something in translation, as so often happens.

Picked #1 up yesterday, really enjoy it, now half way through. I find they writing style very refreshing, rather like sitting in a tavern having a beer with the narator.

And the plot! Oh, my, but this is good.

It also feels like he has captured the feel of the 17th century. The low life in Madrid seems very authentic, far more so that the Paris of Dumas and the musketeers, and that is saying a fair bit.

I have to say I have the five books and I have enjoyed them. There is tremendous emphasis on the social aspect of XVII century Madrid but the action in Flanders, though far and in between is very well narrated.

I have to admit though, that I do prefer to read Pérez Reverte's brilliant and outspoken criticism on modern day society in the PATENTE DE CORSO section in his webpage which can be found at capitanalatriste.com

I might as well just add that I have just seen the Alatriste film and it is very recommendable.

I will perform thread necromancy.

I've read all of the series translated into English. I think that they must be good translations, because more than one translator conveys the same tone and style. And I liked it enough to finish all six novels in less than half a year, as my bedtime books, falling sleep reading. That should tell you that, imho, these stories don't make very efficient bedtime books! Sometimes I simply had to stop and turn out the lights.

The film: I just finished it, waiting for midnight and the last of the noise to die away, so that I can go to sleep. I liked the fighting parts, they were all well done, and there are quite a few scenes of blood and carnage. Rocroi was okeedokee. The part where the pikes cross raised my neck hairs. Brrr! Otherwise, the film pretty much stunk as a rendition of the overarching plot of the novels. It fails to convey any real depth or direction. Disjointed. Shallow. Punctuated with violence (oh, good, more fighting again). Production values excellent. Acting wooden, or emotionless, but mostly that is what was needed. People seemed "shell shocked" by society they live in. I probably won't watch it again. Not enough there to become a favorite….

The follow up novels are just as good. Some of my favorites. Hasn't written any more lately.