Genre: Fiction,Back Cover: The titular book is a Mayan artifact containing the sum of that people's knowledge about the medical applications of indigenous plants. The information is worth billions to any pharmaceutical company, but the Codex, along with numerous other priceless objects, was taken deep into the Honduran jungle by dying legendary tomb robber Maxwell Broadbent, to be buried along with him in a secret crypt. Max left instructions to his three grown sons that the only way to get their inheritance will be for them to track him and find the tomb. Max, who viewed his progeny as "quasi-failures," reasoned that by accomplishing this daunting task, the three-a veterinarian, a hippie spiritual seeker and a second-rate professor-will have proven themselves as men. What follows is rip-roaring jungle adventure, outfitted with a nasty villain (a sadistic PI who's also after the treasures), a beautiful blonde (partner to the vet), two memorable Indian characters, hosts of wild animals, terrific atmosphere and cliffhangers galore.
Opinion: Although an interesting concept, it isn't captivating enough by keeping just a little too shallow, which imho could have been circumvented with fifty orso pages extra character building in between. The idea of indian-knowledge (in this case Mayan) being ruthlessly chased after by drug companies, the implications thereof and the associated money horny-ism is somewhat thought provoking though. As it reads like and adventure movie script where Jurassic's team meets Congo and finds The Relic (although without all the animals), it wouldn't surprise me to see this one in movie theaters in a few years time. Not outstanding, but nevertheless a good reading for traveling by train.
Rating: **
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten