The 33. By Jonathan Franklin (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Incredibly well written, this is truly just as the title indicates, a miraculous true story of 33 men trapped 2,300 feet below in the bowels of a copper and gold mine in a remote area in Chile. With over time, working in brutal conditions, a good month could net $2,000 of pay, and thus the men put life and limb in danger every second, hour and day.Known for the many earthquakes and the terrible track record of poor safety in this mine, every time they entered, the men knew they were beating incredible odds to see the light of day. Though in the case of this disaster, there never was a survival for that period of time under these extreme conditions.This is a true testimony of the will of survival and a joyous celebration of all those who worked so very hard, despite the incredible odds, to develop a rescue operation.Barely surviving for 17 dark days, with only one day food supply left, the miners had little hope of discovery. When they were discovered, even the brave people above who were trying to help, were unsure how to rely to the miners that they may be trapped for four more months.Many miracles occurred in order to get the men to the top, and even then after 69 long days in a small confined space, the men listened as yet another earthquake shook the mountain until the rocks thundered and cried.Praying the escape route would not be blocked, the men knew ever fiber of their being was tested.Kissing the ground, crying and thanking God, after 69 days, 33 men were rescued by slowly being wrenched up through a drilled hole wide enough to contain a small, tiny capsule called "the Phoenix."Highly Recommended!!! I'm listened to the audiobook (from the library), while jogging. It's very intriguing. This is the first audiobook I've listened to and it's kind of funny hearing the various voices of the other characters (for lack of a better word). Sometimes it sounds like the narrator is doing an SNL sketch.Anyway, back to the book - I thought the book was well-written and let us see the near tragedy from a variety of different perspectives. Though we all know the 33 men were rescued, the details of their entrapment and subsequent rescue was very interesting to learn.
What do You think about The 33. By Jonathan Franklin (2011)?
A phenomenally poorly written and poorly told phenomenal story.
—Katherine
