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Eclipse
The spellbinding story of an American lawyer who takes on a nearly impossible case—the defense of an African freedom fighter against his corrupt government’s charge of murder
Damon Pierce’s life has just reached a defining moment: a gifted California lawyer, he’s being divorced by his wife and his work often seems soulless. Then he receives a frantic e-mail from Marissa Brand Okari—a woman he loved years ago—and decides to risk everything to respond to her plea for help.
Marissa’s husband, Bobby Okari, is the charismatic leader of a freedom movement in the volatile west African nation of Luandia, which is being torn apart by the world’s craving for its vast supply of oil. Bobby’s outspoken opposition to the exploitation of his homeland by PetroGlobal—a giant American oil company with close ties to Luandia’s brutal government—has enraged General Savior Karama, the country’s autocratic ruler. After Bobby leads a protest rally during a full eclipse of the sun, everyone in his home village is massacred by government troops. And now Bobby has been arrested and charged with the murder of three PetroGlobal workers. Still drawn to Marissa, Pierce agrees to defend Bobby, hoping to save both Bobby and Marissa from almost certain death.Ìý But the lethal politics of Luandia may cost Pierce his life instead.
Culminating in a dramatic show trial and a desperate race against time, Eclipse combines a thrilling narrative with a vivid look at the human cost of the global lust for oil. Here is Richard North Patterson at his compelling best, confirming his place as our most provocative author of popular fiction.
Damon Pierce’s life has just reached a defining moment: a gifted California lawyer, he’s being divorced by his wife and his work often seems soulless. Then he receives a frantic e-mail from Marissa Brand Okari—a woman he loved years ago—and decides to risk everything to respond to her plea for help.
Marissa’s husband, Bobby Okari, is the charismatic leader of a freedom movement in the volatile west African nation of Luandia, which is being torn apart by the world’s craving for its vast supply of oil. Bobby’s outspoken opposition to the exploitation of his homeland by PetroGlobal—a giant American oil company with close ties to Luandia’s brutal government—has enraged General Savior Karama, the country’s autocratic ruler. After Bobby leads a protest rally during a full eclipse of the sun, everyone in his home village is massacred by government troops. And now Bobby has been arrested and charged with the murder of three PetroGlobal workers. Still drawn to Marissa, Pierce agrees to defend Bobby, hoping to save both Bobby and Marissa from almost certain death.Ìý But the lethal politics of Luandia may cost Pierce his life instead.
Culminating in a dramatic show trial and a desperate race against time, Eclipse combines a thrilling narrative with a vivid look at the human cost of the global lust for oil. Here is Richard North Patterson at his compelling best, confirming his place as our most provocative author of popular fiction.
364 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2009
88 people are currently reading
985 people want to read
About the author
Richard North Patterson
103Ìýbooks665ÌýfollowersRichard North Patterson is the author of fourteen previous bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, Patterson served as the SEC’s liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups dealing with gun violence, political reform, and women’s rights. He lives in San Francisco and on Martha’s Vineyard.
Awards
Edgar Award, 1980, Best First Novel for The Lasko Tangent
Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, International Award, 1995 for Degree of Guilt
Awards
Edgar Award, 1980, Best First Novel for The Lasko Tangent
Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, International Award, 1995 for Degree of Guilt
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
September 23, 2010
Recently divorced, California lawyer Damon Pierce receives an urgent message from Marissa Brand, a woman he once loved (and perhaps still does), asking him to come to the West African country of Luandia. Marissa's husband, an activist named Bobby Okari has been accused of murder by the corrupt, brutal regime that runs the country.
Luandia sits on an oil of ocean and lots of outsiders, Americans included, are anxious to get their hands on it. None of them are much concerned about the way in which Luandia's government exploits and abuses its own people. Nor do they care about the catastrophic environmental consequences of the oil production.
Pierce is determined to save Bobby and so becomes his lawyer at great personal risk. Patterson weaves a complicated web of intrigue that is at once scary and terribly disheartening, and by the time you finish the book, you want to swear off ever using a drop of oil again.
I have always been a huge fan of Patterson's work, especially his political thrillers, and I really wanted to like this book as well. There is a terrible earnestness about it; in addition to telling a captivating story, Patterson is obviously determined to open our eyes to the consequences of our addiction to foreign oil.
And therein lies the problem, such as there is one. A lot of the book is spent in an effort to educate the reader to the situation in Luandia, which is a stand-in for Nigeria, and to the the larger implications of our dependency on the resources of countries like it. In consequence, the book seems almost preachy at times, and it takes a fair amount for time for the book to really gather steam. Once it does, though, you can't put it down.
I'm giving this book three stars, which to me means that it's really very good, but not excellent. I respect the book's good intentions and it's an appropriate reminder of the fact that our continued addiction to oil--and to low oil prices--has a cost that goes well beyond that which we pay at the pump. And, once it does get rolling, it's very compelling. But I don't think it's as riveting as a lot of Patterson's other work.
Luandia sits on an oil of ocean and lots of outsiders, Americans included, are anxious to get their hands on it. None of them are much concerned about the way in which Luandia's government exploits and abuses its own people. Nor do they care about the catastrophic environmental consequences of the oil production.
Pierce is determined to save Bobby and so becomes his lawyer at great personal risk. Patterson weaves a complicated web of intrigue that is at once scary and terribly disheartening, and by the time you finish the book, you want to swear off ever using a drop of oil again.
I have always been a huge fan of Patterson's work, especially his political thrillers, and I really wanted to like this book as well. There is a terrible earnestness about it; in addition to telling a captivating story, Patterson is obviously determined to open our eyes to the consequences of our addiction to foreign oil.
And therein lies the problem, such as there is one. A lot of the book is spent in an effort to educate the reader to the situation in Luandia, which is a stand-in for Nigeria, and to the the larger implications of our dependency on the resources of countries like it. In consequence, the book seems almost preachy at times, and it takes a fair amount for time for the book to really gather steam. Once it does, though, you can't put it down.
I'm giving this book three stars, which to me means that it's really very good, but not excellent. I respect the book's good intentions and it's an appropriate reminder of the fact that our continued addiction to oil--and to low oil prices--has a cost that goes well beyond that which we pay at the pump. And, once it does get rolling, it's very compelling. But I don't think it's as riveting as a lot of Patterson's other work.
July 5, 2012
Slowly builds to an intense end...,
This is the first of Patterson's novels that I have read so I have nothing with which to compare it for Mr. Patterson. This review is, therefore, offered in comparison to like works from other authors. I had to start reading this 3 times before I finally continued to the end; I won't review a book that I haven't finished reading (just doesn't seem fair to me).
The book started slow for me. I put it down and came back to it a week later and it was still slow. The 3rd time I picked it up, I kept going and, after about the first 100 pages, it became very interesting. So, the offering of 3 stars (where I may have offered 4) is mainly because it took a while for me to get interested.
Patterson sets a compelling scene, creating a lively and believable fictional country (loosely based upon Nigeria) and government and an oil producing International Corporation. The fact that all of this is so real, so "ripped-from-the-headlines", only serves to assist Patterson in creating a tale that is all too understandable. Perhaps the biggest thing lacking in this book is the fact that the people of Luandia, including the oppressed Asari, who Bobby Okari leads in non-violent protest, are somewhat lost in the telling of the story. We certainly come to understand the struggle of Okari and his wife Marissa but the plight of the people seems to be forgotten or downplayed in the telling.
Overall, the story was good once I got in to it and the intrigue of the politics of oil are, unfortunately for those negatively affected by our continued addiction to oil at any cost, apparent. Strictly speaking, I would not call this book a thriller or a mystery; it is a well told courtroom suspense novel.
I can only guess, having read some of the other reviews, that the claims of Patterson being "preachy" are based upon an American notion of we need oil and who cares how. I'm not a liberal and I can't claim to be an activist, but to suggest that Patterson is "preachy" when the story, though fictional, is pretty true-to-life, is an unfortunate indication of the blindness of our society to the plight of the MAJORITY of the population of our planet; I guess this paragraph makes me "preachy", but I won't apologize for that...
So, I liked it, once I got in to it, but it wasn't spectacular.
This is the first of Patterson's novels that I have read so I have nothing with which to compare it for Mr. Patterson. This review is, therefore, offered in comparison to like works from other authors. I had to start reading this 3 times before I finally continued to the end; I won't review a book that I haven't finished reading (just doesn't seem fair to me).
The book started slow for me. I put it down and came back to it a week later and it was still slow. The 3rd time I picked it up, I kept going and, after about the first 100 pages, it became very interesting. So, the offering of 3 stars (where I may have offered 4) is mainly because it took a while for me to get interested.
Patterson sets a compelling scene, creating a lively and believable fictional country (loosely based upon Nigeria) and government and an oil producing International Corporation. The fact that all of this is so real, so "ripped-from-the-headlines", only serves to assist Patterson in creating a tale that is all too understandable. Perhaps the biggest thing lacking in this book is the fact that the people of Luandia, including the oppressed Asari, who Bobby Okari leads in non-violent protest, are somewhat lost in the telling of the story. We certainly come to understand the struggle of Okari and his wife Marissa but the plight of the people seems to be forgotten or downplayed in the telling.
Overall, the story was good once I got in to it and the intrigue of the politics of oil are, unfortunately for those negatively affected by our continued addiction to oil at any cost, apparent. Strictly speaking, I would not call this book a thriller or a mystery; it is a well told courtroom suspense novel.
I can only guess, having read some of the other reviews, that the claims of Patterson being "preachy" are based upon an American notion of we need oil and who cares how. I'm not a liberal and I can't claim to be an activist, but to suggest that Patterson is "preachy" when the story, though fictional, is pretty true-to-life, is an unfortunate indication of the blindness of our society to the plight of the MAJORITY of the population of our planet; I guess this paragraph makes me "preachy", but I won't apologize for that...
So, I liked it, once I got in to it, but it wasn't spectacular.
September 27, 2024
Audiobook.
Did not finish. I never got into this one. Perhaps (probably) it is because of the writers style. I just do not like how he writes. I won't be reading or listening to anymore of his stuff.
Did not finish. I never got into this one. Perhaps (probably) it is because of the writers style. I just do not like how he writes. I won't be reading or listening to anymore of his stuff.
January 19, 2021
This book is not for the faint of heart, or for the squeamish.
September 9, 2020
Suspenseful and absorbing story of an American lawyer who takes on a case in an African country defending an African freedom fighter against his corrupt government’s charge of murder.
August 20, 2017
An American lawyer travels to a fictional African country to defend a civil rights/environmental activist who has likely been framed for murder. There are parts of the first 100 pages or so that are hard to read because for the grim depiction of the horrors perpetrated an African dictator. The country is oil rich which make the dictator a friend of the US. Unfortunately, the basic story is based on true events. Patterson weaves in his own details and the court proceedings are very well dramatized. Patterson is a great story teller and the story line shines a bright light on US geopolitical policy. Highly recommended
July 26, 2013
An interesting journey into the workings of a third world oil-rich African nation, which lets the top 1% live high on the hog while still starving every one else. The storyline, itself, was a weaker story than I am used to from Mr. Patterson. It strongly appears that the main purpose of this book was to demonstrate the misery of the 99% and the corruption and greed of the 1% - THAT it does brilliantly.
June 8, 2014
The names were changed to protect the innocent; the story was written to expose the guilty. Most novels, though fictional, are inspired by or contain facts. This is one of those stories. Profit by the all powerful oil companies of the world have exploited countries and caused ecological disasters in the name of profit. Wars have been waged and peoples oppressed to make, maintain and secure vast revenues. Damon Pierce and Marissa Brand met in a creative writing class. They both experienced a spontaneous and mutual attraction, the racial aspect of a relationship never really occurred to either of them. When Damon and Marissa became better acquainted he also found out about Bobby Okari. Bobby was a passionate social and environmental activist that was protesting against the multi-national corporations and conglomerates that were raping and defiling the lands of Western Africa. He perceives Bobby as a rival for her affections but soon found out that her first love was the nation of Luandia and its people. Bobby was the closest person to her true love and the logical choice for her husband. She marries Bobby and they move to Africa. Five years later, as Damon, now a successful San Francisco attorney at the end of an unwise and unsuccessful marriage receives a plea for help from his old flame. He decides to act on her behalf. This decision takes him to West Africa and to the country of Luandia. This nation, like many of the neighboring countries, has vast oil reserves and western companies are building up their oil fields. The money pours into the country but doesn’t trickle down to the masses. Many of these countries are collectively referred to as third world but in point of fact, mismanagement and public corruption are the main cause of their woes. Bobby Okari plans a rally that coincides with a solar eclipse. This starts an unstoppable chain of events that speeds the reader into the depths of darkness and terror. When I started to read this book I thought it would be similar to works of Wilbur Smith. What is often said of assumptions holds true, Richard North Patterson is like no other writer I have yet read. This is a book that is sure to appeal to a wide reading audience as it is both interesting and tackles a multitude of social, racial, geographical and historical aspects.
October 11, 2009
Richard North Patterson's Eclipse is marketed as a legal thriller that follows Boston-born attorney Damon Pierce to Africa to defend an old crush, Marissa, and her African husband against bogus charges planted by an evil, terrorist regime fueled by an American oil-company.
The novel excels in demonstrating the destruction, politics, and corruption that thrives in the "dirty" oil business, in fact at times this aspect is a bit repetitive. Character development drags a bit when describing Damon and Marissa's history and attraction to each other. While the author uses lots of dialog to flesh them out, I still thought Marissa and her husband, Bobby, were stock characters with Marissa's unresolved childhood and identity issues haunting her well into adulthood shading her a bit as as a "tragic mulatto" and Bobby as a young Mandela-inspired African idealist. These two were so ill-matched against the sadistic henchmen of the regime that it was no surprise when they were framed for mass murder (of an entire village) and sedition. It was also no surprise that Damon seemed born and primed for this opportunity to save them -- staving off a mid-life crisis and recent divorce and bolstered by a strong, successful background in international litigation, he was perfect for the job.
The real crux of the story is the spotlight the author places on the global impact that the energy sector has as its minions exploit the poor, devastate the environment, and feed the greedy. Another plus is the legal wrangling and courtroom drama scenes as Damon wrestles with international law and politics, big business, and a tight deadline; thus patient and persistent readers are eventually rewarded although I did not find the novel (as a whole) nearly as "thrilling" or "spellbinding" as the back cover implies.
The novel excels in demonstrating the destruction, politics, and corruption that thrives in the "dirty" oil business, in fact at times this aspect is a bit repetitive. Character development drags a bit when describing Damon and Marissa's history and attraction to each other. While the author uses lots of dialog to flesh them out, I still thought Marissa and her husband, Bobby, were stock characters with Marissa's unresolved childhood and identity issues haunting her well into adulthood shading her a bit as as a "tragic mulatto" and Bobby as a young Mandela-inspired African idealist. These two were so ill-matched against the sadistic henchmen of the regime that it was no surprise when they were framed for mass murder (of an entire village) and sedition. It was also no surprise that Damon seemed born and primed for this opportunity to save them -- staving off a mid-life crisis and recent divorce and bolstered by a strong, successful background in international litigation, he was perfect for the job.
The real crux of the story is the spotlight the author places on the global impact that the energy sector has as its minions exploit the poor, devastate the environment, and feed the greedy. Another plus is the legal wrangling and courtroom drama scenes as Damon wrestles with international law and politics, big business, and a tight deadline; thus patient and persistent readers are eventually rewarded although I did not find the novel (as a whole) nearly as "thrilling" or "spellbinding" as the back cover implies.
June 21, 2009
If you've read "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins, which is nonfiction, reading a fictionalized version of a true story set in Luandia (otherwise known as Nigeria) adds tremendously to the already gruesome picture described by Perkins, by adding the impact of characters who represent corrupt government officials, distant uncaring oil company officials, and the damaged people of the country and culture affected. In "Confessions" we see the machinations of a comglomerate made up of Oil, IMF and World Bank actors on a stage that is too naive to fend them off. The over-extended debt-ridden country now exploited becomes a slave to the IMF and World Bank, all of which feed into US corporate coffers. But in this book we see the damage on the ground, and its impact on individual lives. Most notably, in this case, the life of a true hero to Nigeria who created a nonviolent movement to bring to the world awareness of the injustice, government corruption, and an eco-disaster with worldwide implications. The story centers on Bobby Okari (in real life Ken Saro-Weva) waging a nonviolent ware against an alliance of corrupt government officials protecting their cash cow, the oil companies. Its depressing and moving at the same, and if you really want to know what's going on in Nigeria, a very good start.
Mom read this book and recommended it. I do too.
Mom read this book and recommended it. I do too.
January 28, 2020
I'd forgotten how much I like this author. I used to read him a lot. He is very topical and this one is right up to date. The war for oil and the consequences to the natives in all its complexity. Reminds me of a non-fiction i read some time ago, "Eating Apes." It also reminded me of Russel Bank's "The Darling." This was a very Good Read! It was based on a real person, but in a Nigeria (1991). In today's NY Times, Thomas Friedman talks about the need to end the "addiction" to oil if democracy is going to thrive. Concerned people should read this book. We are in a world of hurt: Every solution costs money, a lot of money, but technology has made productivity SO productive--that it's not easy to earn "a lot of money." Key word is earn. Money can be printed, given to those who don't need it, stolen, manipulated, and then a little "trickles down." Myself? I would buy a Ford Fusion if I were given a stimulus check for say, $80,000. I would buy the car AND begin work on a new novel, or maybe a non-fiction ...
December 30, 2014
3.5 stars
Eclipse was actually probably heading to 4.5 stars or maybe even 5 ...until the last chapter. What a disappointment that was!!! Otherwise, this novel about an American lawyer who heads to a fictional oil-rich African nation to lead the defense of a "freedom fighter" he knew in university and is now accused of murder, sedition, and other charges was actually quite a gripping read!! That Damon is called to Africa by the freedom fighter's wife, who he also knew from university, and grew (and grows) close to, adds to the novel's complexity. It is also that complexity that is this novel's downfall, as it was hard to follow all the political manifestations that were going on. I suppose Richard North Patterson could've done this intentionally to mirror the confusion and changing allegiances that often happen in the circumstances, but I did find it more of a deterrant than it probably needed to be. That's my only complaint/critique, though.. Eclipse is quite a stunning read!!!
Eclipse was actually probably heading to 4.5 stars or maybe even 5 ...until the last chapter. What a disappointment that was!!! Otherwise, this novel about an American lawyer who heads to a fictional oil-rich African nation to lead the defense of a "freedom fighter" he knew in university and is now accused of murder, sedition, and other charges was actually quite a gripping read!! That Damon is called to Africa by the freedom fighter's wife, who he also knew from university, and grew (and grows) close to, adds to the novel's complexity. It is also that complexity that is this novel's downfall, as it was hard to follow all the political manifestations that were going on. I suppose Richard North Patterson could've done this intentionally to mirror the confusion and changing allegiances that often happen in the circumstances, but I did find it more of a deterrant than it probably needed to be. That's my only complaint/critique, though.. Eclipse is quite a stunning read!!!
September 17, 2011
This book was very realistic from beginning to end. When quickly reading the afterword it was based on events that actually happened in Nigeria. The characters were believable. It was refreshing to see that the book didn't necessarily end the way most people would want, ie. the american saves the day and gets the girl. It takes the topic of genocide and throws the reader right in the middle of it. It almost makes you feel as if you are there amongst the characters, experiencing this travesty that happens in countries that receive little to no assistance. Legal principles and beliefs are thrown out the door and it's a society that revolves around money. Money made from the oil rigs in the bays, money used to keep people safe, money that has bought the government and it's followers. Very interesting take on a subject that i have not read much about.
January 15, 2018
The title is misleading. I was expecting a story about an eclipse whereas it was only a sideline. However the book was good and painted a bleak picture of life in third world oil producing countries where corruption is rife. It is a story about a layer and his defence of a person who speaks out against corruption.
An interesting story an one which opened my eyes to a snapshot of life in such a country.
An interesting story an one which opened my eyes to a snapshot of life in such a country.
June 9, 2015
I listened to this in the car as well and enjoyed it very much. Our thirst for oil comes at such a price that most probably don't understand...well done and look forward to more of Pattersno's books!
December 28, 2022
Basically, this is a fine soap-box story. It reads like a grand statement against tyranny, hypocrisy, and all things bad in a fictional country of brown people--but in fact, the story's execution (no pun intended) failed to affect change even within its own universe, let alone outside the story--I guess that's what's to be expected when one man takes in the world. I generally enjoy courtroom dramas, and I did enjoy this one superficially, but it never hit the right depth for me.
For me, one reason it didn't sink well was the protagonist's own lack of conviction. I know lawyers in stories always have their doubts about their clients to add to drama, but this one not only doubted the client but the cause. He also admitted to himself (on many occasions, excessively so) that he was only there to appease his lost love--who is, of course, married to his client.
The acknowledgements were as telling as anything: the author witnessed and protested a real-life facsimile of the events of this book fifteen years prior. This was certainly a fictionalized retelling, but in many ways this book seemed a retelling from memory rather than a true invention "from scratch" or even "inspired by". It felt literal, and would've benefitted from another 100 pages to fill in some details and round out others.
Here's an example that bothered me real-time: we were told by one "Judge Taylor" that we'll reconvene to discuss a staying lawsuit the day before the primary trial takes place. Four(ish) chapters later, the primary trial began, and I flipped back and forth between pages two or three times before I convinced myself I wasn't missing a chapter, or even a throwaway paragraph. That scene was certainly not a necessity for the telling of the tale, but that author took the time to spell out the lawsuit at all only to ignore its decision until the primary trial was well underway felt strange.
Furthermore, the protagonist's character was a mix of "casual observer" and "damn good trial lawyer" with minimal personality. He has no real backstory other than his college (?) connection to said lost love--which were perhaps the most personal passages of the entire book. Oh yeah, and he did a really good job prosecuting a head of state or something once before--and of which he reminds us every other chapter. The reason he's even allowed to pursue this case: he convinces his boss that it's the morally right thing to do, using debate tactics that inform his "damn good trial lawyer" status. The other characters were one-dimensional and unchanging from introduction to finale (with one exception).
These are critiques that come to mind, but that's not to say the book doesn't have its merits. Again, the backstory with the lost love was at once realistic and romantic. The subject matter (the "hypocrisy, tyranny, and all things bad") is a tough one to broach, but it should be broached; the author's attempt is a fair and admirable one. The pace was rapid, at times jumping to the next day or days later if there was no action.
If nothing else, the book did move me to pity for what was obviously a pretty-much-real situation (despite being written 15 years ago about events themselves from 15 years prior). But, like the characters' lamentations, I will rest comfortably with the fact that it's happening thousands of miles and an ocean away from me. I will put this book down when finished and I'll pick up the next book from my bookshelf, and this will get consigned to a memory of "an interesting book I read once" if and when West Africa is brought up in conversation--safe to say it'll be a while. Alas, the author writes reality perhaps too well.
[For a better client-attorney interaction by the same author, and a better story in general, I recommend Silent Witness. For a better soap-box story by the same author, I recommend The Race.]
For me, one reason it didn't sink well was the protagonist's own lack of conviction. I know lawyers in stories always have their doubts about their clients to add to drama, but this one not only doubted the client but the cause. He also admitted to himself (on many occasions, excessively so) that he was only there to appease his lost love--who is, of course, married to his client.
The acknowledgements were as telling as anything: the author witnessed and protested a real-life facsimile of the events of this book fifteen years prior. This was certainly a fictionalized retelling, but in many ways this book seemed a retelling from memory rather than a true invention "from scratch" or even "inspired by". It felt literal, and would've benefitted from another 100 pages to fill in some details and round out others.
Here's an example that bothered me real-time: we were told by one "Judge Taylor" that we'll reconvene to discuss a staying lawsuit the day before the primary trial takes place. Four(ish) chapters later, the primary trial began, and I flipped back and forth between pages two or three times before I convinced myself I wasn't missing a chapter, or even a throwaway paragraph. That scene was certainly not a necessity for the telling of the tale, but that author took the time to spell out the lawsuit at all only to ignore its decision until the primary trial was well underway felt strange.
Furthermore, the protagonist's character was a mix of "casual observer" and "damn good trial lawyer" with minimal personality. He has no real backstory other than his college (?) connection to said lost love--which were perhaps the most personal passages of the entire book. Oh yeah, and he did a really good job prosecuting a head of state or something once before--and of which he reminds us every other chapter. The reason he's even allowed to pursue this case: he convinces his boss that it's the morally right thing to do, using debate tactics that inform his "damn good trial lawyer" status. The other characters were one-dimensional and unchanging from introduction to finale (with one exception).
These are critiques that come to mind, but that's not to say the book doesn't have its merits. Again, the backstory with the lost love was at once realistic and romantic. The subject matter (the "hypocrisy, tyranny, and all things bad") is a tough one to broach, but it should be broached; the author's attempt is a fair and admirable one. The pace was rapid, at times jumping to the next day or days later if there was no action.
If nothing else, the book did move me to pity for what was obviously a pretty-much-real situation (despite being written 15 years ago about events themselves from 15 years prior). But, like the characters' lamentations, I will rest comfortably with the fact that it's happening thousands of miles and an ocean away from me. I will put this book down when finished and I'll pick up the next book from my bookshelf, and this will get consigned to a memory of "an interesting book I read once" if and when West Africa is brought up in conversation--safe to say it'll be a while. Alas, the author writes reality perhaps too well.
[For a better client-attorney interaction by the same author, and a better story in general, I recommend Silent Witness. For a better soap-box story by the same author, I recommend The Race.]
June 30, 2018
I think I read Eclipse too soon after reading Exile. There were too many story line similarities so that the power of the story got a little lost for me. This time the nice white guy hero, Damon Pierce, met a biracial woman, Marissa, and her soon-to-be husband, Bobby Okari while at UC Berkeley more than a decade ago. Of course, Damon is attracted to Marissa, but Marissa follows charismatic Bobby back to his homeland of Luandia (taking the place of Nigeria) to fight for the people against evil dictators and the multi-national oil companies destroying the people of the delta of Luandia.
Then Marissa calls for Damon's help. Bobby is on trial for his life, accused of lynching three oil workers during a demonstration. Damon travels to Luandia and must deal with a dark and frightening country, filled with violence and corruption. It is after 9/11, so the US fears Al Qaeda and is willing to work with violent dictators as long as the oil keeps flowing. Damon is way over his head in this situation, but he keeps fighting for Bobby and Marissa. The plot is very complicated as Damon must negotiate with killers, liars, and thieves. No one can be trusted.
My struggles came from this very American look at the struggles in Africa that have resulted from Western exploitation of resources. I think it helps American readers to read African writers on the situations in their countries. And then there is the hero, stepping in to try to save the day. Bobby Okari's idealism results in torture and imprisonment, but Damon can come in bring about change. That troubles me a little. The story was fast-paced and interesting, but not as strong as some of the other Patterson books I've read.
Then Marissa calls for Damon's help. Bobby is on trial for his life, accused of lynching three oil workers during a demonstration. Damon travels to Luandia and must deal with a dark and frightening country, filled with violence and corruption. It is after 9/11, so the US fears Al Qaeda and is willing to work with violent dictators as long as the oil keeps flowing. Damon is way over his head in this situation, but he keeps fighting for Bobby and Marissa. The plot is very complicated as Damon must negotiate with killers, liars, and thieves. No one can be trusted.
My struggles came from this very American look at the struggles in Africa that have resulted from Western exploitation of resources. I think it helps American readers to read African writers on the situations in their countries. And then there is the hero, stepping in to try to save the day. Bobby Okari's idealism results in torture and imprisonment, but Damon can come in bring about change. That troubles me a little. The story was fast-paced and interesting, but not as strong as some of the other Patterson books I've read.
August 1, 2020
It wasn't until I read the afterword that I discovered "Eclipse" was fashioned after a true story which had occurred some 10 years previous in Nigeria. The author chose to use the fictional African nation of Luandia to tell his story. The book has many plots, all interwoven. It's a thriller, a murder mystery, an environmental disaster, a courtroom drama, a political nightmare, a love story, and one about principled courage. Take your pick. The story involves three main characters - Bobby Okari, Damon Pierce, and Marissa Okari. Bobby is a freedom fighter in his native Luandia, Marissa is part Luandian and part American, Damon is an American lawyer who specializes in international law. Okari is attempting to push the people of Luandia to overthrow a murderous president, get rid of an oil company who is in bed with the president and has befouled Luandia with its products, and embrace principles of freedom and the rule of law. During an eclipse of the sun, Okari is speaking to his people about their plight, when he is arrested. He's charged with arranging for the murder of 3 oil company employees. At the same time, unknown entities enter Okari's community and murder everyone of the inhabitants, except Bobby and Marissa. Damon talks his law firm into allowing him to defend Okari in a Luandian kangaroo court, and the subterfuges and backstories, and sub-plots, and heinous characters come from every direction. The story was mesmerizing, and all the more so because it's based on true events.
June 2, 2020
Other than the main character’s name, Alex Cross, being included In the title, James Patterson’s “Cross Country� is similar to “Eclipse� in that the story of an American in Africa trying to help the downtrodden people of a lawless country is a shared plot. Eclipse takes a geopolitical approach to tell the tale of violent revolution against a petro-economic, corrupt government. Richard
North Patterson pursues enlightening the reader with a narrative consumed with placing the reader in the thoughts and actions of all his characters and the list is extensive. “Cross Country� is an easier read both because of prose that flows smoothly and this reader’s cloak and dagger fascination. The protagonist in “Eclipse� is a brilliant lawyer fighting with clever words and strategies not his fists, like the swashbuckling Alex Cross.
Paragraphs are short and chapters are hiccups J. Patterson writes for today’s screenagers who can’t get enough fast paced reads, but if you want to stand before the judge stating your case make the effort to understand R. North Patterson’s mind in Eclipse.
North Patterson pursues enlightening the reader with a narrative consumed with placing the reader in the thoughts and actions of all his characters and the list is extensive. “Cross Country� is an easier read both because of prose that flows smoothly and this reader’s cloak and dagger fascination. The protagonist in “Eclipse� is a brilliant lawyer fighting with clever words and strategies not his fists, like the swashbuckling Alex Cross.
Paragraphs are short and chapters are hiccups J. Patterson writes for today’s screenagers who can’t get enough fast paced reads, but if you want to stand before the judge stating your case make the effort to understand R. North Patterson’s mind in Eclipse.
July 9, 2018
Well, a book purportedly written about Nigerian human rights /environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was murdered by dictator Sani Abeche in 1995 for trumped up murder charges, but actually for speaking on behalf of the Ogoni people whose territory in the Niger Delta was polluted and destroyed by the Shell Oil company.
The irksome part was the insertion of a white american lawyer knight savior "obiyo" character who shows up in "Luandia" to defend Bobby in the kangaroo court, and also covets and sleeps with the wife, Marissa!
In fact, 2 yrs after his execution, an american human rights firm did sue Shell, and the trial was stopped just before, when they agreed to a $15 m settlement w/o ever admitting guilt.
Descriptions of torture and murder and rape and depraved; horrible things people are capable of against one another, all for money and power.
And a sad indictment on us all, for choosing comfort, convenience over the lives of fellow humans.
The irksome part was the insertion of a white american lawyer knight savior "obiyo" character who shows up in "Luandia" to defend Bobby in the kangaroo court, and also covets and sleeps with the wife, Marissa!
In fact, 2 yrs after his execution, an american human rights firm did sue Shell, and the trial was stopped just before, when they agreed to a $15 m settlement w/o ever admitting guilt.
Descriptions of torture and murder and rape and depraved; horrible things people are capable of against one another, all for money and power.
And a sad indictment on us all, for choosing comfort, convenience over the lives of fellow humans.
November 3, 2019
AUTHOR Richard North Patterson
TITLE Eclipse
DATE READ 11/02/19
RATING 3/C
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Fiction/2009/Henry Holt/12 CD's
SERIES/STAND-ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2019 Reading Goal 162/111;
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2009/Western Africa (Luandia was modeled after Nigeria)
CHARACTERS Damon Pierce/lawyer; Bobby Okari -- leader of freedom movement in Luandia, Marissa Brand Okari -- Bobby's wife
COMMENTS Very repititious and really not anything new. PetroGlobal is the big oil company exploiting Luandia � most officials are paid off by Petro Global and happy to keep the status quo. Bobby is strongly opposed but has little to no support.
TITLE Eclipse
DATE READ 11/02/19
RATING 3/C
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Fiction/2009/Henry Holt/12 CD's
SERIES/STAND-ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2019 Reading Goal 162/111;
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2009/Western Africa (Luandia was modeled after Nigeria)
CHARACTERS Damon Pierce/lawyer; Bobby Okari -- leader of freedom movement in Luandia, Marissa Brand Okari -- Bobby's wife
COMMENTS Very repititious and really not anything new. PetroGlobal is the big oil company exploiting Luandia � most officials are paid off by Petro Global and happy to keep the status quo. Bobby is strongly opposed but has little to no support.
March 4, 2021
This book was a real surprise! It was great! I thought I was picking up a James Patterson audiobook, but after I got started I realized this is Richard North Patterson, but I was far enough in and it was interesting enough that I continued it. It's a compelling novel, but realistic enough to pass as a true story (albeit a scary one). A non violent freedom fighter on the country of Luandia (think DR Congo) is accused of a triple murder that he didn't commit. He is set up in order to get rid of him. The story of corruption gets deeper and more complex, but not too complicated to follow. This is based on Nigeria rather than the Congo and things that really truly go on. It implicates corruption from the US in a believable way. I plan to read more of Richard North Patterson's books.
January 31, 2020
Well written,held my interest, author has a great command of the language. I was halfway through before I realized that though fiction, it was roughly based on some of the happenings in Nigeria. This made it harder to read in some ways, but also increased my determination to complete it. Definitely not a book to lift your spirits, though as a novel, the author chose to bring some minimal positives in the end. The cost of oil is not just about the environment, but all the corruption all along the way.
July 9, 2021
What the world does for oil! That’s the background for the competing forces in this fictional African country. A prominent dissident has been falsely accused of orchestrating the murders of three oil company employees - - or is it a false accusation? There’s a romantic triangle here between the dissident, his wife, and the attorney representing him. These three go back a few years, she chose the dissident and now they both need the lawyer to save the husband’s life. Lots of shady characters abound - no one is trustworthy. Patterson makes it believable and unbearable at times.
February 24, 2022
This complicated story takes place in a fictional country called “Laundia� in West Africa where a California lawyer tries to defend an “African freedom fighter� who is charged with murder. For some reason a massacre of all the people in a village takes place. It occurs during an eclipse of the sun, hence the title of the book. The author of this POS is obviously unaware of the rule “Keep it Simple, Stupid�.
August 8, 2022
In the early 2000s (90s) Asari (Ogoni) activist leader Bobby Okoye (Ken Saro-wiwa) is arrested in Luandia (Nigeria) by the brutally corrupt Karama (Abacha) regime for protesting the environmental devastation abetted by Petro Global Luandia (Royal Dutch Shell). At some point, a non-fiction approach would have been better and more honest, but it seems Patterson had an itch to write about as many atrocities as he could research. Captivating, but ultimately something that deserved to be more transparent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2017
It wasn't a bad story although I didn't take the time to remember many of the peripheral characters' names and/or functions. I wouldn't exactly say the story was predictable, but it wasn't unexpected either. I believe I've outgrown my interest in this author's writing. Many of his novels seems the same. What saved this one was the last one-third of the story when things started to become interesting/heat up.
November 12, 2022
This book was completed in 2008 and is loosely based on events that took place in Nigeria fifteen years before. It describes the dilemma faced by Western democracies trying to meet their energy needs; compromise their values and deal with autocrats who control the oil or cede the territory to the Chinese and others who are not burdened by such scruples. As usual with a Patterson novel, this book is well researched and well written. I enjoyed reading it.
July 23, 2018
Awful - thought it would never end. I love Richard North Patterson, have read all of his books and was so excited to download and listen to this newest one. But boy was I disappointed. From the accents to the never ending story to the characters that I could care less about, to the preaching about war torn dictatorships, I hated this book.
February 23, 2019
This was a bit slow-going for me until the trial started. I liked the main character a lot and wish Patterson would write a book based on his activities as a war crimes lawyer (referred to in this book). The story of an oil company involved in corruption in Africa may have been a bit more timely 10 years ago, but I've become more jaded since then. It seems to be an all too familiar story.
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