Next by Michael Crichton Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Next
Book Review: Good read, but not his best
Summary: 4 Stars
I've always enjoyed Crichton's books, including 'Next'. However, I felt like there wasn't enough complexity in the plot, resulting in predictable endings. However, it was still a entertaining read.Book Review: Great concept, So-so Read
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm a little torn over this story. While it was quite preposterous at times, I still found it very thought-provoking. My favorite part of the entire book was the author's note at the end of the book. I was fascinated and concerned over the facts that the author outlines after all is said and done. I think the story stretched the facts and possibilities a little too far, causing it to be preposterous, but based on possibilities left open by current laws. The story was a little far-fetched for me, but the facts that the story was based were very intriguing.Book Review: He Has Done Better
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm not what you would call a Michael Crichton fan butI do enjoy his work every once in a while. I picked this up because of the bargain price and I got what I paid for. The story is pretty weak and there are so many characters that at some point they just kinda meld together and you don't really care. I did find the talking chimp and parrot funny but I don't read a book like this for the humor. It's not terrible but it's not that great either. It's hard to write about an issue and craft a story around it (Crichton is pointing out the ills of our current laws related to genes) and I applaud him for doing it. It just could have been done better.Book Review: High expectations that never came close to be realized
Summary: 1 Stars
Being in the biomedical research field, I was interested in this read. I had to force myself to finish it, just on principle alone.
The plot was so convoluted and completely disconnected-- coming together (partially) only in the very abrupt ending. None of the characters grew on me. The concept of ownership was indeed an interesting one and the desire to find an end to that particular subplot was the only thing from chucking the book in the trash-- proverbially, that is, I'd never really do that to a book.
Book Review: Human nature examined w a twist
Summary: 5 Stars
NEXT (The novel) is a vehicle for the author, Michael Crichton, to continue ("Terminal Man," "Jurassic Park," "Travels," "Andromeda Strain," "Timeline") his inquiry into the human condition, specifically, its epigenesis--or the interaction between genes and environment, which manifests in the behavior of individuals and moreover, the consequences of that behavior. I love this type of novel, but acknowledge that many readers don't. It's about theory: Maybes and what ifs. It looks at the way things are, the way humans are, and asks: Why? And what might happen if we humans don't understand just what it is we are doing when we play around with that interaction. This novel ponders questions dear to me like: When and how and why did apes and humans diverge into separate species and what was that like, the transformative experience? Are there, could there have been, two distinct human brains? (See my novel: ATTACHMENT.") Crichton doesn't think highly of "human nature." That should be evident if one is a persistent reader of his work (which I am.) In this novel he looks at the "genetic defense" i.e. my genes made me do it: pedophilia, alcoholism, conventionalism, obedience to authority, antisocial personality, etc. and that nothing can be done ... unless, of course, it's done at the genetic level, or gene modification (GM). The heroes of this novel are a genetically modified chimpanzee and parrot. The people, not so much. They are, as he inserts early in the story, inclined to "lie, cheat, steal from one another, sue, hide data, fake data, overstate their own importance, and denigrate opposing views unfairly. That's human nature. It isn't going to change."
I didn't care much for "State of Fear." I thought the writing was trite and didn't buy into his conspiratorial theory. This one I like. It's ironic and funny and more plausible. I love the parrot, the teller of truths! I think Crichton would have liked to believe in humanity, but saw just too much evidence against mankind. I will miss him. He was a kindred spirit.