Michael Crichton

Anybody like Michael Crichton?

I read his book Next not too long ago. He certainly jumps into controversial topics. What do you think?

I read Michael Crichton when I was in school. Really liked it then.
Leaving the controversies apart.. I think there is a lot of research that goes into his books.

State of Fear is quite interesting. It's about Global warming being a conspiracy theory. I am not a sceptic of man made climate change (my degree is in conservation) but there are some interesting references to scientific papers that argue that climate change is not man made. I have read them and still think that the weight of evidence suggests that we are at least partly responsible - I digress.

A good story and some thought provoking ideas.

I prefer his earlier work; with his later stuff he seems to be pushing an agenda. I do think he has a lot of interesting ideas, but I think they would be better in a non-fiction book; if he were to write one, then I'd probably read it.

I've read about 5 or 6 of his books, and I think most of them suffer from the same malady. A fascinating premise, a great beginning, and then a slow - or rapid - diminution of direction and plausibility.
In other words what starts out as compelling fiction degenerates into laughable, pulpy, trash.
The last book I read of his, Timeline, is a perfect example of the above.
Jurassic Park is also an example, but it holds together a little better.
The sequel to Jurassic Park (forgot the title already - is it Lost World?) is so bad I threw it down 1/3 of the way through. Really childish.

The best book he's written was his first widely read book: The Andromeda Strain. He should have quit then, but then he would have lost out on a gazillion dollars, because apparently the public (and filmmakers) have an insatiable appetite for his work.

I enjoyed The Great Train Robbery, which was well researched and an interesting and fun read. Can't speak for his newer stuff, which seems to be very focused on his own agenda - have thus far refrained from reading it.

Generally I agree with Libre, Chrichton's books are childishly written. Congo was one of the worst books I've ever read, in fact i don't think I even bothered to read the last few chapters.

I enjoyed Sate of Fear mostly for the fact that it lead me to some interesting scientific arguments that I was able to use in degree assignments.

I haven't read too many of his books, but the ones I have read are a lot of fun. He seems to have trouble ending them though. Sphere in particular, I felt, had a very weak ending.

Michael Crichton Dies

Author Michael Crichton dies at 66 - Yahoo! News UK

I have only seen the movies.
What saddens me is this disease that has taken so many lives.

. Read an article about this not too long ago; definitely didn't see that one coming. RIP Mike, you wrote some terrific thrillers.

I couldn't believe it when I heard the news - very sad

I didn't even know he was sick! We've lost a lot of great authors this year.

He was so young. Very sad . . .