Next by Michael Crichton Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Next
Book Review: NEXT is not Crichton/s Best.
Summary: 2 Stars
NEXT is well written but the subject matter is disturbing and the unnecassary and excessive amount of profanity makes this book one of Michael Chrighton's worst. I would not recommend it. Michael Chrichton will be missed however and he has written some fine books like Jurasic Park, Sphere, and State of Fear.Book Review: Next
Summary: 5 Stars
The last work of Michael Crichton.
He has a kind of arrogant attitude towards his readers, but I generally agree with him.
Book Review: Next - entertaining? yes. fodder for political platforms? no.
Summary: 3 Stars
Crichton's books are always page turners, and this one was no exception. NEXT explores the issues associated with genetic engineering, gene patenting and transgenics...which might not sound too exciting until you add the body parts stolen for the black market, bounty hunters attempting to acquire DNA by force, and a healthy dose of sex and scandal. As usual, Crichton alternates between scientific detail and fast-and-furious plot twists, weaving a tangled web in which it becomes impossible to separate fact from fiction. I've worked in the biotech industry for six years, and I've never heard venture capitalists spew as much hype as in this book, nor have I seen biotech execs claiming to have found genes that "cause" complex aspects of personality. But on the other hand, I would not have believed the part about pet cloning company Genetic Savings and Clone if I didn't know it was true.
In summary, the book is intended to entertain, and it does. The characters are often so unscrupulous that most readers will likely dismiss more of the book as fiction than is actually the case. But that's probably not a bad thing - the possibilities of genetics can be overwhelming even for those in the field, much less for those who are unfamiliar. But its good to remember - especially for those now pushing anti-gene patenting legislation - that the book is, in fact, fiction.
Book Review: Next -- Good Starting Points but Not a Good Book
Summary: 1 Stars
I picked up this book a few years back thinking that the author's other titles got such good response and general acceptance that this one probably would be good as well. The premise on the genetics and the harm that current science and policy can cause was the draw to this book, but I was very disappointed. One other reviewer on Amazon used the term 'machine gun' style chapters and this is very true -- so many uninteresting characters and such quick jumping back and forth that you will get lost very quickly and not really care who the characters are at all. And perhaps that's the authors intent somewhat, but it makes the message a little less worthy of even being written as a fictional book. Crichton clearly wants to send a message here, but if you just read the last page with the reasons why he wrote it and about his research for the book -- you pretty much get the jist -- one page of notes at the end was a better developed message than the entire rest of the book. Too many unfinished plot lines in my opinion...the talking ape, the talking gray parrot, the ownership of the family cell line by BioGen -- all very good starting points but nothing ever develops and I was left wondering why I wasted my time. Positive reviews for this book are a bit confusing too me as well, do you really think that the thoughts and ideas were developed properly or fully? I could care less about the politics behind the author here, this book was just very poorly conceived by an otherwise respected author.Book Review: Next book, please...
Summary: 2 Stars
This novel is disappointing by Michael Crichton's lofty standards. It bears the Crichton trademark in being well-researched, intellectually substantial and provocative. Otherwise, it fares poorly on all other accounts.
The book highlights the moral hazard surrounding current bio-technological developments, especially in the area of genetic engineering. These issues are brought into sharp relief against the lives of real people grappling with real day-to-day problems. Human tissues are stolen for research purposes without proper recompense to the victims. Unscrupulous biotech firms vie with one another to control the increasingly lucrative market for new `wonder drugs'. New research frontiers are broken with scant regard for existing regulations. Strange new phenomena like human-animal hybrids emerge, two of which (an ape-man and a talking parrot) are central to the plot.
Then again, it would be difficult to consider anything as being central to the plot. The narrative skips between multiple storylines at a relentless pace that leaves the reader playing catch-up for most of the book. And where the plot is comprehensible, it still fails to really engage. Perhaps the 3-4 page snapshots of each story thread leave too little room for character and plot development. Or the threads fail converge in a manner that is sufficiently climatic. In any case, the book is let down by its dialogue (making up most of the narrative) which resembles lines from a B-grade movie. Indeed, one is left with the lingering sense that the book was written in anticipation of being converted into a motion picture - what with the myriad converging storylines, short punchy chapters and expletive-filled dialogue.
As a whole, the book succeeds in pushing an agenda but ultimately fails as a novel.