February 22 2004

Apsara Jet by Nicolas Merriweather

The Apsaras of ancient Angkor were said to be beautiful immortal seductresses whose sole purpose in life was to have eternal sex with Khmer heroes. The middle-aged American heroes of Apsara Jet by Nicolas Merriweather are thrilled to discover similar qualities in the mortal girls of present-day Cambodia and Thailand.

Apsara Jet is the story of John Jackson, a once distinguished airline pilot now reduced to alcoholism and living in his car. Captaining a Cambodian cargo jet for the dubious Chen-Wa Organisation is his last chance for redemption. He recruits a couple of Vietnam War buddies to be his first officer and flight engineer.

Eschewing condoms, the three ageing aviators cut a swathe through scores of hard-bodied Asian teenagers with little more than a splash of Old Spice for protection. Laughing in the face of prostate cancer, they impress the locals with their Viagra-free but rock-hard erections. The prevalence of budding breasts and wisps of pubic hair suggests that they're not checking ID cards either.

The recklessness that our heroes display in their personal lives inevitably spills over into their work. Their involvement with Burmese drug lords and the Russian Mafia ultimately ends in double-cross and a terrifying mid-air collision.

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The action in Apsara Jet is all very authentic. The author is a pilot with over 38 years flying experience. Working for the Flying Tigers cargo airline, he took part in the 1975 Cambodian Ricelift and experienced at first hand the horrors inflicted by the Khmer Rouge. Later, he worked for an NGO, assisting Cambodian refugees at the Thai border.

If you fancy bluffing your way into the left seat of a commercial airliner, Apsara Jet tells you everything you need to know. As well as reinforcing the story's authenticity, the rich detail gives us is fascinating insight into the risky world of civil aviation.

The author succeeds in capturing the irresistible allure of Asian women but they aren't given many lines. Like the Apsaras on which they are modelled, their principle role is to beg for sex from men in the autumn of their lives. The numerous sex scenes are well-crafted and erotic. However, although the book is pure fiction, I would have preferred that all the girls featured were above the legal age of consent.

A particularly engaging aspect of Apsara Jet is the comradeship between the three men as they face danger together. From now on, I will be looking at the veterans who prop up the bars of Washington Square in a new light.

I enjoyed reading Apsara Jet. It's well-crafted, engaging, informative and sexy. At no stage did it descend into cliche or insult the reader's intelligence with implausible plot twists. Apsara Jet shouldn't be relegated to passing the time on a long-haul flight. The pleasure lies in savouring the detail. Save it for beside by the pool.

Details

Apsara Jet
Author: Nicolas Merriweather
Publisher: Apsara Publishing Group
Price: US $14.95
ISBN: 0-9708862-0-9

[Posted to Books by David]

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Readers' comments

Don Ward says:

I found Apsara Jet to be a fast moving story that reminds me of the intrigue of a James Bond -- 007 story. I read it in one sitting and when finished, wished that I had another one to read just like it. If you are a pilot or have visited/lived in SE Asia, it will just add more thrill to the very descriptive action. I got my book at an Air America reunion in Bangkok. This book lets you live vicariously within the story. A great, quick read!... Highly recommended!

February 26, 2004 11:39 AM

Cher Hoyle says:

"Apsara Jet," smacks of great old-time storytelling and erotic passages that are marvelously sprinkled throughout this fast-paced tale of love, greed, and best of all, lust. The setting is Indochina, the hero is John Jackson, Jr., a once great adventurer who has fallen to the bottom of life's pit. This time, he is given a second chance, and proves within the chapters of this novel to himself and to the reader that redemption and horrific danger go hand in hand. From battles with Burmese Drug Lords and The Russian Mafia to human sexuality with the most exotic and desirable female creatures on the planet, Jackson takes us on a journey that's not easily forgotten. The erotic passages are among the finest written, and believe me, Merriweather does Henry Miller proud! From time to time, I re-read those passages in the morning when I start my day, pole-vault out of bed, and am ready to take on God's Green Acres and all that they have to dish out! If you're looking for high adventure, non-stop action, and sensuality at its zenith, then "Apsara Jet" is a MUST read. Nicolas Merriweather is a new name in the wide and wonderful world of literature, and I truly believe that he will be around for decades to come. I'm sure that this novel will be made into a motion picture in the not-too-distant future. Hooray for Merriweather! And Hooray for Hollywood, when they finally discover the goods!

June 23, 2004 11:16 PM

Robert White says:

So, what's not to like about Apsara Jet? This book has it all-
captivating flying, exciting "blood and guts" and extensive erotic activity. The main character, a former Eastern Air Lines pilot, was down and out on his luck until overcoming the bad guys with an elaborate plot. As a former EAL pilot myself, I found the book inspiring and intriguing. Perhaps the next book by this author could focus on the early demise of Frank Lorenzo. This would surely be a best seller!

June 24, 2004 11:25 PM

TANAI KWAI says:

No accounting for taste, of course, but I felt much of it read like a flight manual or some other kind of technical writing. The author provides a glossary in the back so that those of us who weren't EAL pilots in the early 80's can follow along.

And the "erotic" passages seemed to emulate the style of those romance novels housewives buy at the drugstore. (In fairness, Merriweather is by no means without talent for this sort of writing.)

As for the sexual scenarios -- the washed-up protagonist and his dilapidated mates having soapy sex with Thai massage girls in the same room ("just like we did back in 'Nam"), and the author's dubious proclivity for under-developed female bodies (the girl on the cover looks to be on the cusp of pubescence), I wasn't that jazzed.

There were some interesting insights about Southeast Asia and the author is clearly passionate about the subject matter. But I can't exactly recommend it.

(...)

June 24, 2004 11:53 PM

JRT says:

I also read Apsara Jet in practically one sitting. The passages concerning anything related to avionics were particularly well written, obviously by someone with more than just a passing knowledge of how to actually fly an aircraft. Being fond of weapons myself I found the author's obvious knowledge in this area refreshing. FYI there are actually Asian women well above the legal age who possess nothing more than a few wisps of pubic hair. Bless 'em.

June 27, 2004 2:53 AM

Pete Quigley says:

I was pleasantly suprised how good the book was,although some of the flying tech.was a bit over my head it flowed and the content was very up to date.It moved right along and I would recommed it to any of my male friends.I think any women who reads it might feel a little less than (it's hard to keep up with a beautiful young Khmer-Viet-Thai)take your pick)women and if someone is young in there apearence God bless them or Budda:)When does the next one come out? Life is short enjoy.

June 27, 2004 9:29 PM

Dana says:

Typical Thai-themed farang literature. Fun to read but two days later you can't remember any of it.

June 27, 2004 10:14 PM

A. P. Scott says:

I hate to hear the young guys saying that I am in the Autumn of my life...Hell, if we told them the truth, they would never believe it. Remember this; Age and trechery will always win over youth and strength. I love Indo-China and Africa and CA. (Central America) It has been too much fun. I'll fly right seat with you anywhere and anytime, Ole Buddy. A. P.

June 28, 2004 11:07 AM

Honey says:

The book reads like a male wet dream.
Granted, the author mixed something he actually knew (flying)with his fantasy, making it with(pubescent girls).

It's sad, isn't it, that the only way old men can get it up any more is with kids. I 'spose that's 'cause the guys couldn't afford Viagra.

August 23, 2006 1:59 PM

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