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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
I actually really like the infamous movie adaptation of this book. It's the perfect example of a so-bad-its-good campy movie. The book was fine. I always love Chrichton's concepts but struggle with the execution. Meh.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Crichton is usually fun, but this is one of his weaker efforts.
I do not say this lightly: Michael Crichton is brilliant. This novel is brilliant. (For those who don’t know, Crichton is the author of Jurassic Park among other works).
The beginning of this book is slow. So much so that I didn’t think I would like the rest of the book. Boy, was I wrong. Crichton’s prologue was so intense and ended in so much suspense that I believed it could get better. At times he packs in overly-technical writing. These were the times it got lengthy. Frankly, I don’t care much about the technical aspect. I don’t know if it’s true or not. Still, the technical part lessens around day 3 and the book got really good.
This book was at times thrilling, and although it is fiction, there are a lot of interesting facts. For instance, did you know that some chimpanzees eat human infants in the wild? I personally did not. Of course I knew that you could teach apes to sign (cough Planet of the Apes cough) but this made me consider just how remarkable that is. I never would have considered just how brilliant primates are before reading this.
The characters aren’t terrible. Not the most remarkable but that’s alright. Amy (the gorilla) was my favorite. Especially when she tears up a drawing that symbolizes her tearing up a woman (Crichton had me chuckling a few times, I admit).
If you’re a fan of the Planet of the Apes franchise (new or old) or enjoyed Jurassic Park, I think this is definitely something you will enjoy. Also, if you recently saw the Monster Week documentary of Cannibal in the Jungle, this was similar in many ways. I’m still rather mind blown.
The beginning of this book is slow. So much so that I didn’t think I would like the rest of the book. Boy, was I wrong. Crichton’s prologue was so intense and ended in so much suspense that I believed it could get better. At times he packs in overly-technical writing. These were the times it got lengthy. Frankly, I don’t care much about the technical aspect. I don’t know if it’s true or not. Still, the technical part lessens around day 3 and the book got really good.
This book was at times thrilling, and although it is fiction, there are a lot of interesting facts. For instance, did you know that some chimpanzees eat human infants in the wild? I personally did not. Of course I knew that you could teach apes to sign (cough Planet of the Apes cough) but this made me consider just how remarkable that is. I never would have considered just how brilliant primates are before reading this.
The characters aren’t terrible. Not the most remarkable but that’s alright. Amy (the gorilla) was my favorite. Especially when she tears up a drawing that symbolizes her tearing up a woman (Crichton had me chuckling a few times, I admit).
If you’re a fan of the Planet of the Apes franchise (new or old) or enjoyed Jurassic Park, I think this is definitely something you will enjoy. Also, if you recently saw the Monster Week documentary of Cannibal in the Jungle, this was similar in many ways. I’m still rather mind blown.
I am a huge Michael Crichton fan already, and he did not disappoint me with this. Amy the gorilla stole the show for me, with her 'teenage antics' and bad language. I love how he created a series of ambitious, intelligent, skilled and yet highly flawed characters each trying to further their own agendas.
Another thing that will always be a selling point for me was the distinct lack of any sort of forced romance between the characters. It is such a relief sometimes when the characters actually focus on their mission without the need to clutter it up with weirdly intense and unhealthy whirlwind romances. The story is more than enough without it!
Overall this was a brilliant story, with a fascinating plot line steeped in science (although most of it is probably outdated now, and some of it is definitely questionable which Crichton himself was happy enough to point out at times). The narration was also top notch with everyone given their own clear voice (listened to on Audible read by Julia Whelan).
Another thing that will always be a selling point for me was the distinct lack of any sort of forced romance between the characters. It is such a relief sometimes when the characters actually focus on their mission without the need to clutter it up with weirdly intense and unhealthy whirlwind romances. The story is more than enough without it!
Overall this was a brilliant story, with a fascinating plot line steeped in science (although most of it is probably outdated now, and some of it is definitely questionable which Crichton himself was happy enough to point out at times). The narration was also top notch with everyone given their own clear voice (listened to on Audible read by Julia Whelan).
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Love Michael Crichton's writing! This was a great adventure that was tense and gripping. Loved the focus on language, which the movie lacks.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death