Customer Reviews

The Sinister Stars

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The Sinister Stars was written in 1971 and the jargon of the characters and narrative may well seem racist to readers of the 21st century. For example Japanese people are referred to as Japs and the majority of times one character is referred to in this book he is simply called the Negro. This jargon does however add to the authenticity of the characters and the time period the book is set in which is twenty or so years after World War II.

In The Sinister Stars Harvey Landon and his two friends are down on their luck in Puerto Paz and a literally starving on the streets. They are extremely good sea men but there is not much call for their services in the small port. Luckily for them an opportunity arises when a large yacht called the Vagrant docks at port and before their eyes Mr Strang the owner, fires the crew. Knowing they will literally starve to death if they don't and not caring where the boat is going Landon offers his services on the provision his two companions are hired as well. The crippled Mr Strang seems to be a little deranged and tells Landon they are on a treasure hunt but will only tell him the next port of call on the way. The destination isn't important to Landon but being able to eat is, so they depart on into the unknown on what could well be their last voyage.

James Pattinson writes in an old man style where his characters use words that show Pattinson is obviously from a previous generation and not quite down with the lingo of today but this style does add something unique and enjoyable to his novels.

Other great Pattinson novels worth checking out are Operation Zenith, Feast of the Scorpion, Ocean Prize, Avenger of Blood, Blind Date, Homecoming, The Silent Voyage, Skeleton Island, The Time of Your Life, Away With Murder, The Murmansk Assignment, Obituary for Howard Grey, Crane, The Animal Gang, Spoilers, The Golden Reef, A Car for Mr Bradley, Bavarian Sunset, Fat Man from Colombia, the Spayde Conspiracy and Life Preserver.