Eclipse

Truly, this is a novel of our time. Set in the fictional, oil-rich African nation of Luandia, we find Bobby Okari, a well-spoken leader of an ethnic group called the Asari, who is trying, in true Mandela-like fashion, to achieve change through dialogue and peaceful protest. Opposing him is Karama Savior, the sadistic, power-hungry dictator who runs the country. Greed has ravaged the country, corrupting every level of government, and pollution is rampant thanks to those wishing to siphon off oil to make their own profit. The main company drilling for oil is PetroGlobal (or PGL), an American company. When 3 PGL workers are found lynched, Bobby finds himself arrested on charges of murder and sedition, after having watched the annihilation of his village, and the slaughter of every inhabitant, at the hands of the military, led by Karama's top general Okimbo. Drawn into the trial is Damon Pierce, an American lawyer, who years ago fell in love with Bobby's wife. He now finds himself risking his very life for the Okaris in a country where no one can be trusted, bribes are a way of life, and those who disagree with the regime routinely disappear. The novel highlights our greed for oil, and the effect that this resource has on the countries who have it. At what point do we draw the line and ignore human rights abuses, or even genocide, when to pursue them could threaten our oil supply, potentially posing a risk to national security? Do we have absolute morals or are they subject to negotiation? These, then, are the principle questions the reader must ask himself as he finds himself inexorably drawn to the conclusion, desperately hoping for some way out for Bobby. Using Nigeria as a model for his fictional country, and a similar situation that actually happened, I cannot think of a more timely novel, or a more disturbing concept than our morals being held ransom for the cost of cheap gas. I highly recommend this book.

Note to fellow readers: If you do not have Richard North Patterson on your Favorite Authors list, you are missing out on the most consistently excellent novelist writing today, in my humble opinion. Richard North Patterson's earlier novels are outstanding legal and political works, but some of his more recent books are more like non-fiction - they are recent historic reality, with fictional characters. "Exile" is in this category, and now "Eclipse" follows the same pattern. Whether it's Israel/Palestine or Nigeria, the well researched circumstances, conditions on the ground, and conflicts are all real. The author is very objective, reflecting all viewpoints, intertwined into great stories, while at the same time being very educational about politics and real life in unstable areas. If you are looking for quality, not quantity, I could not recommend Richard North Patterson any higher - he is truly a great author who always delivers.

When he was younger and in a creative writing class Damon Pierce fell in love with Marissa Brand, but Marissa was in love with fiery Bobby Okari, the so called Nelson Mandella of Asariland, a province in the African country of Luandia. Though I usually don't like stories that take place in fictional places, I can accept Mr. North's explanation as to why he didn't want to use Nigeria as the country and Ken Saro-Wiwa as the firebrand writer. That out of the way, this is a good book, though the ending isn't very satisfying, but in such a story how could it be? Add to that unsatisfying ending the fact that Mr. Patterson gets a bit preachy in places and you have the kind of book I usually try to stay away from, but not this time. Mr. Patterson has written a story that hits home, one that will make you think every time you fill up that SUV. There are horrible things going on in West Africa and perhaps the only way the story would ever get to the developed world is via fiction. But in any fiction, no matter how close the writer tries to get to true facts, if you don't have a story, then you don't have readers. Mr. Patterson has a story here, one that grabbed me straightaway and kept me interested and intrigued all the way through. Not only did I learn some hard truths, but I feel I've met some real people. This is fiction writing at it's finest.

Successful lawyer Damon Pierce has just gotten word that his divorce is final, but he's not going to taste freedom for very long, because he gets an e-mail from a woman he was in love with a little over a decade and a half ago. Her name was Marissa Brand, now it's Marissa Okari. Marissa was the one he really loved and Damon has shared letters and e-mails with her over the years. On this day her e-mail says that she'd seen three men hanging. Marissa is married to writer Bobby Okari, the self styled savior of his people, the Asari who live in servitude and fear of their government and it's leader Savior Karama. Karama is making millions off his country's oil, while his people starve. Okari wants some of that oil wealth to stay home, Karama wants the wealth for himself. Okari stages a demonstration. Karama's minions kill the demonstrator and wipe out Bobby's village and blame Bobby for the dead men Marrisa e-mailed Damon about and Damon risks everything to fly to Marissa's and Bobby's defense. And that's just the beginning of this taught political thriller that kept me stuck on my sofa without food or drink till I finished. I'm ashamed to say I didn't know till I finished the story and read the afterword it was based on Nigeria and the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa. I've since done a lot of googling, because I can't get this story out of my mind. This story will hold you rapt and keep your attention and it will stay with you for a very long time after you put the book away. Reviewed by Captain Katie Osborne

Attorney Damon Pierce is reflecting on his life after his divorce has become final. He's officially single and his high powered job isn't as stimulating and interesting as it once was. Then he gets an e-mail from a girl he loved years ago named Marissa Okari, wife of writer Bobby Okari. She tells him she's seen three corpses hanging from a tree and she wants his help. Bobby Okari and Marissa live in the Luandian province of Asariland. Bobby has been leading a fight for independence for his people from the cruel dictator Savior Karama. On the night of a total eclipse he leads a peaceful demonstration, but Karama's soldiers with the help of PetroGlobal Oil massacre the demonstrators and the people in Bobby's village, including Bobby's family and they take Bobby prisoner and torture him. Marissa has had her passport taken and cannot leave the country. When Damon gets to Luandia he's confronted with horrors he never could have imagined. He has no standing in Luandia and his life is in danger, yet he stays to do what he can. This is a good book. A thriller that is very hard to put down. It is my first Richard North Patterson book, but it will not be my last. The story is character driven and that just adds to the suspense. I can't recommend this story highly enough.