Customer Reviews

Prisoners of the Williwaw

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Ed Griffin weaves an entertaining tale - one akin to Grisham and Clancy. A fast-paced, easy read -- VERY enjoyable!

Prisoners of the Williwaw was more than I had hoped for. Besides being a very quick read, it gave a credible insight into prison life and language. After I read about Mr. Griffin's "prison background" as a teacher I knew that the thoughts and spoken words of the characters were as real as they could get. The amazingly short chapters and nonstop twists and turns kept me flipping pages long after bedtime. If you're looking for a little adventure, forbidden love or a story of hope, Prisoners of the Williwaw has it all!

"Feel the power!" I liked it. I spent two daysthinking about it after reading it; not only did it bring backmemories of my time on Adak, I also thought about the development ofleadership and freedom, provoked by a hope of a prison without walls,countered by haughty prison bosses, and ultimately influenced by thepower of the wind. Rather similar to my military experience, completewith a few splashes of prison language which is remarkably similar tosailor talk. Ed Griffin spins a fascinating -- and credible -- taleof prisoners who suddenly find themselves free to do anything theywant confined only by weather, the sea, the U.S. Coast Guard andeventually by their own choices. Williwaw -- just a gimmick? Hardly:The wind -- the williwaw -- has blown me right off my feet. It hasblown roofs off houses, rolled steel dumpsters, and pushed my caracross a street into a ditch. I've seen the barometer swing 3 inchesof mercury in only 6 hours (on that same day it blew out half-inchthick windows and knocked over the station's main transmitting antennaand I think it was the same day that Birchwood's roof blew off;October 1978). The sea is so cold that to fall in it will kill you in9 minutes (estimated, your mileage may vary). If anything, Ed Griffinmakes it seem too easy...

Many many years ago I was a member of author Ed Griffin's critique group and I had the opportunity to read chapters of this book that were still in progress. Now that I've had the chance to read the whole book I must say I was blown away. Strong characters in a hellish situation make this novel a memorable read. The story all about survival -- physical and mental survival. Translation: this story would make a GREAT movie. The premise is high concept and brings up a lot of questions when it comes to our current methods of incarceration.

From June 4, 1959 to February 1, 1977, I served three complete tours on Adak Island, "The Pearl of the Aleutians."

What makes this book so plausible is that under the right circumstances it could happen! I applaud the author for his keen insights and writing ability, making a work of fiction take on the trappings of reality.

I'd say more, but I want to order another copy from Amazon.com!