Review of Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead

My thanks to ‪@mikesbookreviews‬ for recommending that I give Michael Crichton's Eaters of the Dead a try during our discussion of Tolkien's translation of Beowulf on his channel. Here is my review of Crichton's homage to Beowulf, and I hope to have a chance to chat with Mike about it!

[@mikesbookreviews]

So glad you read this! The Wendol were nightmare fuel first time I read this. I thought it would be the best starting point for you with Mr. Crichton.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

As usual, Mike, you were correct! I'm glad to have a Crichton book under my belt -- finally. I hope to have a chance to chat with you about Eaters of the Dead!

[@Johanna_reads]

This might have been the most scholarly take on a Michael Crichton book I’ve ever heard, and it was wonderful! Loved hearing how this compares to the past chronicler approach to storytelling. Those character relationships do sound fun, and good to know that many of the Beowulf themes shined through. Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much, Johanna! It’s perhaps fitting that my first Michael Crichton book is the one he based on Beowulf. 😁

[@jeriballast18]

Have read the book. Enjoyed it. The 13th Warrior happens to be my favorite movie. Watching it helps when I need some bucking up. "Luck, often enough, will save a man, if his courage hold." Both book and movie are grossly underappreciated, imho.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

The original Old English quotation from Beowulf is awesome too: "Oft wyrd nereth unfaegne eorl thonne his ellen deah!" It means something more like, "Often fate spares an undoomed man when his courage holds!" Cheers, Jeri!

[@jeriballast18]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I love that! Thank you

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@jeriballast18 My pleasure! I’ll take any excuse to quote Old English . . . 😁

[@vaughnroycroft999]

I read this book years ago--long before the start of my writing journey. I was in business at the time, reading mostly nonfiction during those years, and I'm positive that I picked it up because it was presented in bookshops as being "based on a historical account." You've got me wondering what part it played in my writing journey. Guess it's time for a reread. I think I still have my old paperback copy... somewhere. Thanks for sorting out the history and the fiction, Philip.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

My pleasure, Vaughn! It's cool that you have a personal connection to this one. On the matter of influence, I'm sure we carry around all sorts of influences we're unaware of as we write. Cheers!

[@user-qw5uc7fr6m]

I had the book as well, never heard of "Beowolf" until I read this but one of the characters in the book has memorized and recites the whole story. It was also an eye opener on ancient Viking culture.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

Im so happy you read this, I love this book. I am glad you raised it that this is not historically accurate, Crichton did do his homework but many forget this is a work of fiction. Great review and analysis as always. Thank you Dr. Chase!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm really happy I read this book after Mike's encouragement, and it's cool to hear it's one you love too!

[@anti-rioter-15]

I still think it’s interesting to think about. We have myth in almost all cultures of “the wild man”. An interesting comparison is how the Paiute tribe in America has legends of when they banded together to eliminate a tribe of red haired giants. The giants happened to be cannibals. I think a lot of this has some factual base, however exaggerated. It is an interesting rabbit hole to research.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Great review! Ed and I have had this high on our tbr pile for about a year now! Really looking forward to seeing what our thoughts are. Sounds like a very interesting read! Will

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I would love to hear your thoughts and Ed's on Eaters of the Dead, Will! I'm pretty sure you two would bring a lot to the read.

[@sethulakovic3722]

Hi Philip. Glad you got around to this one. I had a long period in my teens of devouring Crichton. The Eaters of the Dead was one that always stood out. Take care Philip.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks, Seth! Somehow, I missed reading Crichton when I was younger. Perhaps I was too busy learning Old English and Old Norse. I'm glad I started to remedy that!

[@Ulmo90]

Nice, I've read Congo and Sphere by Crichton, perhaps this one should be my next read of him

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

If you give it a try, I hope you'll enjoy it!

[@user-qw5uc7fr6m]

Sphere is fantastic, would enjoy it.

[@chadandrews4347]

This has always been one of my favorite Crichton books! You have convinced me to do a second read, love your show. Thank you!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks, Chad! My best to you for your reread of Eaters of the Dead!

[@J.R.Carrel]

I think it's time for me to go back and re-read Eaters of the Dead. I've been waiting to hear your perspective on this story and it didn't disappoint.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I hope you’ll enjoy that reread, Joseph!

[@brancellbooks]

I’ve passed this novel on my family’s bookshelf dozens of times and always wondered about it. I guess it sounded goofy to me. Sounds like it’s interesting! Thanks for the video!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

If you decide to take it off the shelf to read it, I hope you'll enjoy it, Branej!

[@RekindledReader]

Yes! I can't wait to get back to more Chricton. Great analysis.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Theo!

[@RichardNellAuthor]

Ah man this book was excellent, really great description and review sir, you've reminded me to re-read this.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Richard, and happy rereading! By the way, I just saw you over on Steve Talks Books in his latest video about grimdark. I love the part where you say something like, “What we’re really asking is, ‘What’s wrong with us?’”

[@RichardNellAuthor]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Yes I can't stop asking. It might be confession through projection...

[@Aluminatihusker]

Great stuff! I just ordered this book prior to this video! Can’t wait to read it!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I hope you’ll enjoy the read!

[@avi4905]

Wow that sounds so interesting! I never thought about reading anything by this author, but your review just made this such an intriguing read. I will add this to my TBR. Thank you for explaining the historical background and the merging of Beowulf into the story. You make it sound fun despite the appearently very dry and flat characters. As always great review. 👍 I was wondering does the name of the book, does it pertain to the story or the themes mentioned ?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Avi! The title pertains to the baddies in the book, the Wendol. Yes, it's a bit gruesome!

[@christopherfly9374]

Interesting review, Philip. I liked "The Thirteenth Warrior" when it came out. I wanted to get the "The Eaters of the Dead" but many people discouraged me saying it wasn't like the film and it was very dry, etc. I think I need to bump this book up on my TBR list. It sounds like something I can really get into.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

If you give Eaters of the Dead a try, I hope you'll enjoy it, Christopher. Guess what book I'm starting this evening after work . . .

[@christopherfly9374]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Now that one I know you will enjoy!

[@libraryofaviking]

Excellent review! I need to read some of Crichton's work!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Especially this one since it’s about Vikings and thus belongs in your library! 😁

[@Yoda0VGs]

Another God-Tier thumbnail, well done good sir 😂

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! I made this one entirely myself without my daughter’s help. The student is becoming the master! 😁

[@NamasteBbooktube]

Great review. Academic and approachable.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Diptanjan! Academic and approachable are qualities I strive for!

[@safinan8008]

Happy reading to you!! 📖👋

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Same to you, Safina!

[@BookishChas]

Thanks for this review Philip. I may check this out. The only Crichton book I’ve read is Rising Sun.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

If you do give it a try, I hope you’ll enjoy it, Chas!

[@Thorbearius]

Are you saying "The 13th Voyeur" in the intro? 😁 I have not read the book yet, but I love the movie and the book is on my TBR list. I have read Jurassic Park and the Sphere, and I think Michael Chrichton is a fantastic author. I really enjoyed Mike's Book Reviews' the great Michael Chrichton re-read (which was sadly put on pause 😔).

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! In a way, Ibn Fadlan was a voyeur, especially during all those "slave girl" scenes. I'm glad I read Eaters of the Dead!

[@monaczaplewsli157]

Thankful for your realistic analysis of this book. It's been years since I read it. As I recall the antagonist creatures who were attacking the village were Bigfoot creatures, Neanderthals were my second guess. Either way I loved the book!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

My pleasure, and thank you for watching and commenting, Mona!

[@gon8go]

love the movie. I've got the book on the shelf, ready to go.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I hope you’ll enjoy the book!

[@akellerhouse83]

I've only read one book by Michael Crichton called State of Fear. It was really exciting and fast paced, but he did try to disprove climate change in it...but this one sounds really interesting. Good review!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Crichton does do a lot of "science" in his books, I think, but this is the only one I've actually read. Jurassic Park is probably the most famous after all the films. Cheers, Camanda!

[@brbosen]

I really enjoyed this book as well, and I admit I was a bit taken by the "fake authenticity" you talk about - thanks for clearing that all up!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

My pleasure! Crichton definitely does an excellent imitation, and I had to look things up before I was sure!

[@LiamsLyceum]

I’ve been wanting to read this one, I haven’t read a Crichton book since middle school. I knew about the historical account this was based off of, but I didn’t know about the journey going further and him connecting it to Beowulf. Nice review, I’ll definitely need to find a copy of this.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Definitely in your wheelhouse, Liam! If you give it a try, I hope you’ll find it interesting.

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

If you're looking for a good soundtrack, Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack for The 13th Warrior is pretty epic.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'll be looking it up on KZbin this evening, Jeroen -- thanks!

[@brush2canvas849]

More Norse stuff, yeah!! I expect to talk to people around me in Old Norse any minute now.😁 Great review, though! Only Philip can make a book with fake footnotes sound so appealing. Now, when does the next longboat leave?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

It's Viking week on the Philip Chase channel! I'm not sure about the next longboat, but I'd love to have a Viking funeral -- without the human sacrifices or the animal sacrifices. Just put me in a Viking ship, push it out on the ocean, and set it on fire. Wait, come to think of it, perhaps that would be bad for the environment . . . Okay, I'll stick with being recycled into a tree!

[@brush2canvas849]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Viking Week -- maybe you should make that a thing, where you discuss Viking inspired fantasy with your YT friends. I'd watch that. That it's possible to sail a longship from Denmark to Dyflin can be seen in this BBC documentary. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2nNmaGog62eack Enjoy your time on the Sea Stallion! I admit though, that I hope my flight back will not be cancelled as taking a Viking ship back seems not for the faint hearted.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@brush2canvas849 A flight does seem safer and more comfortable. Best wishes for the journey!

[@brush2canvas849]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Thanks Philip!

[@josephnizolek3975]

Good review, I was curious on your review of the book, are going read any other Michael Crichton books ?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks, Joseph! I won’t be reading any other Crichton books soon, and once I do, I might not discuss them on my channel since I tend to stick with fantasy. Thanks for watching this!

[@danecobain]

I need to get to this one, I've read a few Crichton's but don't even remember hearing about this before!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

If you give it a try, I hope you’ll enjoy it, Dane!

[@MagusMarquillin]

I really liked the 4 Crichton books i've read, I'll hopefully read this soon after I do Beowulf. And John Gardner's Grendel for more sympathy with the "Other". 👹 Do you plan to read more MC books? As far as Historical Fiction is concerned, I think the only options are "Timeline", "Pirate Latitudes" and "Dragon Teeth". Timeline I've been told is great, it's time travel to the hundred-years war. The other two were unfinished when he died and I hear they're the worse for it, but Dragon Teeth, about early palaeontology in the American West; was I think mostly finished. As for what I've actually read, I recommend Sphere as my favorite - but then your not really a Science Fiction Channel (yet), so maybe Dr. Fantasy doesn't have time for that. That one's at least _somewhat_ fantastical. Anyway, I think you read the only one based on an Epic Poem.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

John Gardner’s Grendel is the perfect read for more understanding of the other, and also one of the best Beowulf spin-offs I know of. I’ll likely read more Crichton eventually, but I’m not sure I’d do videos on the books since I do, as you say, tend to stick to fantasy for the channel. I did enjoy Eaters of the Dead, though!

[@catrie9965]

I loved this book and really enjoyed the movie.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I enjoyed them both too!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

👏👏👏👏

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Penny!

[@MacScarfield]

While I am the first to point out the inaccuracies of the Book and the Movie (The Story of “Beowulf” was most likely already written (and definitely part of oral tradition) by the time of the Norse Vikings, especially by the time Ibn Farman lived. And that is the most hilly version of pancake flat Denmark I have ever seen 😂). But I would lie if I said this was not a guilty pleasure of mine. I might rationalize it with the intriguing idea of the tales of trolls, goblins and elves being generational memory of a time when we shared the Earth with other prehistoric humans. But I also have to be honest that the mix of Ibn Fadlan’s powerful tale of a Viking Funeral Pyre, “Beowulf”, Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” and the “Frazetta Men” inspired straight out of “Conan the Cimmerian” I found highly entertaining! For a more scholarly sound tale of Norse and Arabic interactions, I can really recommend Cat Jarman’s «River Kings», about how the Norse used their longships for raiding, colonizing and trading, and how the Viking raids fitted into a much larger trade network where the Norse traded iron, furs, arctic ivory/horns, amber and captive slaves for Arabic silver, Chinese silk, Indian Gemstones and Buddha Bronze figures for prestige and funding future kings! Perhaps not much news for you there given your knowledge, but I must say that I am personally really impressed by how she managed to put such a wide canvas of perspectives and information within so few pages!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for the recommendation of River Kings, MacScarfield! I’ve not read it before, and your praise is enough to make me want to remedy that. I too love to contemplate the possibilities of trolls and elves being garbled memories of distant encounters with older populations, perhaps even one as ancient as the last remnant of Neanderthals in some cold corner of Europe. Of course, we now know that the Neanderthals are still with us in our genes!

[@MacScarfield]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Glad to hear that you found it interesting Professor! I found it a rather quick read, but as stated full of information: From atop of my head, aside of the Longships and the Trade Networks, Jarman also delves into Norse DNA and the debate of female Viking warriors. Indeed a fascinating topic, Professor!

[@MacScarfield]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Professor, I just finished the Book, and while I did mention the Windol as «Frazetta-men» in my original post, reading the book it dawned on me that the comparison must have been very intentional: Not only was the Book written during the S&S (and specifically “Conan the Cimmerian”) revival of the 60s and 70s, but by placing Heorot Hall not in Denmark, but in Wenden (the Southern Baltic Coast, in the land of the “Wends”, A Norse term of the Slavs of that Coast), there is a clear comparison of using the Wends (combined with “Grendel”) as inspiration for the term “Windol”, similar to how REH used the Picts of History for his own savage “Picts”. Placing Heorot in this Norse “Frontier” of Wenden, evokes both the Legendary Norse Fortress of Jomsborg of the Sagas and the “Frontier Story” found in the Conan Story “Beyond the Black River” of clashes between the PIcts and Aquilonian Colonists (which in turn clearly was inspired of the Frontier Clashes of Natives and Colonizers in US History and Literature, such as the French-Indian Wars portrayed in “The Last Mohican”). Another thing I noticed was the different role of the Sword of Runding/Hrunting: While Hrunting is a sword gifted to Beowulf after his clash with Grendel and turns ineffective against the magic of Grendel’s Mother, Runding is an Gigantic Ancestoral Sword of Buliwylf made by “Giants”, by which Buliwylf manage to cut off a Wendol Arm (as opposed to Beowulf tearing Grendel’s Arm off by shear brute force).

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@MacScarfield Excellent catches there, MacScarfield! Those connections seem probable enough, especially given the similar sounding names. Great call on Runding/Hrunting as well!

[@MacScarfield]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Professor Chase, in regards to the naming of the «Fireworm» as «Korgon», might it be a reference to the “Kurgan” (or “Steppe”)-theory for the spread of Indo-European Languages and the “Chaoskampf” of “Stormgods slaying Dragons” found in many (particularly Indo-European) Cultures?

[@jordendarrett1725]

The 13th warrior is a pretty damn good film, the book I’m sure is better tho

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I really liked both the film -- especially the first half -- and the book. Cheers, Jorden!