Scan barcode
antiqueyouth's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun read. It is short and acts as a good lead into the Technologists (coming soon to a library near me). I wonder if it was developed as the prologue for that book and then pulled aside for money making, lip whetting, purposes. I could see it being paired easily with the forthcoming book, from what I know of it.
jackalope_hope's review
3.0
3 stars.
I think that this story could have benefitted from being longer. The answer to the story's main question is unraveled far too quickly, and the ending feels abrupt. However, given that this is based on a historical event, I also don't feel it could have been longer.
I enjoyed the characters in this story a lot. Harrison infuriated me (in a believable way), and Jack was my favorite.
I am looking forward to diving into the longer story — The Technologists — that this one serves as a prequel for.
I think that this story could have benefitted from being longer. The answer to the story's main question is unraveled far too quickly, and the ending feels abrupt. However, given that this is based on a historical event, I also don't feel it could have been longer.
I enjoyed the characters in this story a lot. Harrison infuriated me (in a believable way), and Jack was my favorite.
I am looking forward to diving into the longer story — The Technologists — that this one serves as a prequel for.
kcolson19's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
chriswolak's review
4.0
This short story or novella is a prequel to Pearl's forthcoming novel The Technologists which is coming out in Feb 2012. Pearl is known for writing engaging historical mysteries. I've been a fan since his Dante Club came out in 2003.
The Professor's Assassin is based on true events that occurred at the University of Virginia in 1840, just twenty-one years after Jefferson founded it. Tensions are heating up over slavery and some students are rioting, demanding the right to carry arms into the classroom. John Davis, a professor, is shot one evening after the riots had seemingly tapered off for the day. He later dies from his wound.
William Barton Rogers is a young science professor at UVA who can't let Davis's murder go unpunished even though Davis himself knew his assailant but refused to name him. Rogers seeks not revenge, but to bring the murderer to justice in order to "consider the interest of society in the punishment of the lawbreaker" (Chp 7, page 2). A young slave who was committed to Davis suddenly goes missing as does the lead suspect. With the aid of a sophomore student and some of the riotous student leaders, Rogers sets out to solve the mystery.
Over all I enjoyed the story, but it didn't really take off for me until the half-way point. I am, however, used to reading novels that have more time to set the stage and draw the reading into the time period. This is the first digital short story that I've paid to download and it was completely worth the 99 cents.
It has certainly whetted my appetite for The Technologists. If the name William Barton Rogers rings a bell, it's because he's the guy who founded MIT in 1861. The Technologists revolves around the first graduating class of MIT.
The Professor's Assassin is based on true events that occurred at the University of Virginia in 1840, just twenty-one years after Jefferson founded it. Tensions are heating up over slavery and some students are rioting, demanding the right to carry arms into the classroom. John Davis, a professor, is shot one evening after the riots had seemingly tapered off for the day. He later dies from his wound.
William Barton Rogers is a young science professor at UVA who can't let Davis's murder go unpunished even though Davis himself knew his assailant but refused to name him. Rogers seeks not revenge, but to bring the murderer to justice in order to "consider the interest of society in the punishment of the lawbreaker" (Chp 7, page 2). A young slave who was committed to Davis suddenly goes missing as does the lead suspect. With the aid of a sophomore student and some of the riotous student leaders, Rogers sets out to solve the mystery.
Over all I enjoyed the story, but it didn't really take off for me until the half-way point. I am, however, used to reading novels that have more time to set the stage and draw the reading into the time period. This is the first digital short story that I've paid to download and it was completely worth the 99 cents.
It has certainly whetted my appetite for The Technologists. If the name William Barton Rogers rings a bell, it's because he's the guy who founded MIT in 1861. The Technologists revolves around the first graduating class of MIT.
wart's review
4.0
See how this holds up as an old favorite at Things I Find While Shelving
This reread has me thinking. A lot. There are a lot of things in here that are applicable today and it’s actually kind of disturbing. Violence on college campuses, wealthy people able to get away with their crimes, etc.
It’s.
It’s kind of creepy actually.
It’s a really good story, though. One of Pearl’s best works, I’d say. Definitely going to become a VERY old favorite eventually.
This reread has me thinking. A lot. There are a lot of things in here that are applicable today and it’s actually kind of disturbing. Violence on college campuses, wealthy people able to get away with their crimes, etc.
It’s.
It’s kind of creepy actually.
It’s a really good story, though. One of Pearl’s best works, I’d say. Definitely going to become a VERY old favorite eventually.
More...