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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
3.75
Apart from The Great Train Robbery, this is my favourite Crichton so far. I had some difficulties with the technical parts of the story, but really enjoyed the biological and anthropological parts of it. Great humour. Thought TGTR had better character work, but still liked it in Congo as well.
Apart from The Great Train Robbery, this is my favourite Crichton so far. I had some difficulties with the technical parts of the story, but really enjoyed the biological and anthropological parts of it. Great humour. Thought TGTR had better character work, but still liked it in Congo as well.
One of Michael Crichton's best. This has the feel of a great classic adventure like Indiana Jones. Deep in the jungle, looking for precious stones, with ancient ruins and savages beasts all around. There is so much suspense, you feel as if you are with the characters, creeping through the forest, terrified with every rustle of leaves. But there is also so much adventure, in Crichton style.
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found this book amidst my other books, having been almost totally finished and forgotten about. Today I took it out of the dnf and read the last chapters.
I remembered how technical the writing was pretty quickly and remembered that I love Amy the gorila!
I remembered how technical the writing was pretty quickly and remembered that I love Amy the gorila!
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ahoy there mateys! I am very slowly reading through Crichton's books in audiobook format. Congo the novel was never a favorite and the 1995 movie is awful. In rereading, it felt like the narrative was just a framework to showcase the author's research. The plot was broken up by many long tangents about the history of electronics, primate behavior, and snippets of "local" Congolese politics.
To be fair, I didn't mind the research, I just felt that the plot was smothered by it. Okay, I was a bit bothered by the primate research because apes make me sad when they are in zoos or studies. But I remember reading about Koko and her kitten in a children's book when I was younger. Koko was the basis for Amy in the novel. I didn't like the Amy sections of the novel very much or the ape/human/chimp or whatever hybrids in the book.
Apparently, the author "pitched the [film] idea to 20th Century Fox who bought the film rights before the story had even been written. This rapid development resulted in Crichton suffering writer's block, which he treated by spending time in an isolation tank." [source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_(novel)" Well that makes sense about why the plot was so goofy. The reason for the apes killing humans, the entire diamond subplot, and all of the drama of the ending (including a volcanic eruption and hot air balloon ride) did seem weirdly tacked together. And over the top.
When finished, I did do some reading about the history of the Congo region and claims of tribal cannibalism as presented in the novel. I didn't find any real information on the supposed "Angawa" or "Kigani" tribes. In general, I don't think I would recommend this novel to anyone other than Crichton completionists at this point. Arrr!
To be fair, I didn't mind the research, I just felt that the plot was smothered by it. Okay, I was a bit bothered by the primate research because apes make me sad when they are in zoos or studies. But I remember reading about Koko and her kitten in a children's book when I was younger. Koko was the basis for Amy in the novel. I didn't like the Amy sections of the novel very much or the ape/human/chimp or whatever hybrids in the book.
Apparently, the author "pitched the [film] idea to 20th Century Fox who bought the film rights before the story had even been written. This rapid development resulted in Crichton suffering writer's block, which he treated by spending time in an isolation tank." [source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_(novel)" Well that makes sense about why the plot was so goofy. The reason for the apes killing humans, the entire diamond subplot, and all of the drama of the ending (including a volcanic eruption and hot air balloon ride) did seem weirdly tacked together. And over the top.
When finished, I did do some reading about the history of the Congo region and claims of tribal cannibalism as presented in the novel. I didn't find any real information on the supposed "Angawa" or "Kigani" tribes. In general, I don't think I would recommend this novel to anyone other than Crichton completionists at this point. Arrr!
3.5 stars.
This is one if the few books I read when I young. It seemed I was too busy playing sports, exploring and breaking things to read back then but there was something about a bloody eyeball popping out of a man's skull that kept my adolescent ADD attention.
Favorite quote:
"It's hard to decide who's truly brilliant, it's easier to see who's driven; which in the long run may be more important."
This is one if the few books I read when I young. It seemed I was too busy playing sports, exploring and breaking things to read back then but there was something about a bloody eyeball popping out of a man's skull that kept my adolescent ADD attention.
Favorite quote:
"It's hard to decide who's truly brilliant, it's easier to see who's driven; which in the long run may be more important."
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ce n'est pas mon préféré de l'auteur mais j'ai bien aimé être embarquée dans cette course aux diamants sur les flancs du Virungo un volcan du Congo. La 1ère mission pour récolter les diamants a été mystérieusement décimée par semblerait-il des gorilles ! La 2nd mission menée par Karen Ross jeune scientifique accompagnée d'Elliot primatologue et Amy gorille femelle qu'il souhaite relâcher dans la jungle congolaise auprès de ses pairs, doit atteindre le campement avant que d'autres ne mettent la main sur le filon mais les dangers les guettent et cette mission de sauvetage s'avérera une mission suicide.