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Review title: Nice idea - but not well executed
Product review: There are some fine ideas in this novel. The parallel plots of an early-1900s expidition, a modern scientist looking for fossilized pollen, and the ill-fated mission of some German war-ships converge nicely at the end, and that is structurally a very effective ploy. But you arguably have to wait a long time for it, and in the meantime there is a lot of rather dull character development. The 'modern' (1970s) part of the novel revolves around a rather average American woman scientist. Why not make her flamboyant, strong, hotblooded, sexy, or at least SOMETHING to make her come alive? She is just not exciting, sorry. The Victorian part of the plot boasts Elsa, who is a much more interesting person, but again predominantly rather dull. The most interesting character is perhaps the mentally disabled sister Alice. At least there is something unusual about her. Should cut the novel down to half length and inject some excitement.
