Airframe by Michael Crichton Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Airframe
Book Review: A Real Page-Turner
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first heard of this novel, the subject matter sounded uninteresting to me. Only after a friend strongly recommended it did I give it any consideration at all. And even then, I waited until there were no other books on my "to read" list before buying a copy. Well, I wish I hadn't waited so long. Airframe is a great book!Michael Crichton brings his usual cinematic writing style to Airframe, reinforcing a suspenseful story with a level of technical detail that brings depth and additional interest to the events that take place. And while the book is primarily focused on an investigation into an airplace accident, which may sound dry and uninteresting, the character interactions and intrigue are more than enough to keep the story moving at a steady pace. In fact, there was never a point where I felt the momentum lull.
As an added plus, I particularly enjoyed Crichton's portrayal of the news media. I felt that his unforgiving commentary on the motives and methods of television "news" programs was dead on, and in fact has become even more accurate in the years since he wrote this novel.
Kudos to Crichton for this one - I would recommend that anyone read Airframe, and do so before they ruin it by turning it into a movie!
Book Review: A Terrific Book...
Summary: 5 Stars
"Airframe" is a story about the detailed investigation of a bizarre plane crash. It's fast-paced and very well written. This book will definitely change the way you feel about the airline industry!Book Review: A different M.C.
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book. A bit different than the author's previous books. Quite a bit of mystery to the story which was very readable. The main character is very human and easy to identify with. The story goes into some interesting technnical aspects of airframe design and the ins and outs of contract grabbing.
Some have criticized this book as being slow but I don't think so. This book is a good read.
Book Review: A distinctly low-altitude Crichton performance
Summary: 2 Stars
Cardboard characters, a stilted plot, wooden dialogue...where to begin? When Norton Aircraft VP (of Quality Assurance, no less!) Casey Singleton told another character that the wing spar of a particular plane was "two hundred feet long - almost as long as a football field" I knew I was in for a rough ride. Doesn't anyone edit this kind of dreck?
Aside from an amusing take on the media (particularly a TV newsmagazine reporter obviously meant to be Mike Wallace), the book slogs along for 431 pages before coming to a tepid conclusion.
I'm a sucker for books on airplanes and the aviation industry in general but I can't recommend this half-hearted effort.
Book Review: A few weak points, but overall excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was typical Crichton, an easy read, good facts, and a great thriller. Though it could have went farther especially with character development and tying up loose ends, the story is so good that it makes up for any shortcommings that may arise. Some have said this is like Disclosure at 30,000 feet, and true it is very much like Disclosure which is also a great novel. For Crichton fans, buy it and read it. For everyone else, its a great summertime read.