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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I bought this book for two reasons:
1 - I love the Movie
2 - It was on sale for £1 at Asda, and after reading it I'm glad i got it on offer.
This was not a disappointing read, I read it in less than a fortnight and found it relativly satisfying. However, I'd say this is one one of those rare books whichinspired a movie that is just about supperior in every way, the primeape version of jaws movie and book comparison if you will. If i had never seen the movie i may have have given it 5 stars.
As i was reading it I seemed to get the impression it was written to a scedule, and Crichton had a mimmum word limit. There was so much detail into the relativly in consiquential to try and explain key moments, it felt almost suffocating. There is also so much tecnical information and explanation provided, yet without a layman's term's summary, i was almost ready to place it back on the self and not look back.
The book is constantly switiching tenses,describing what the character is doing and then, in the next paragraph, informing you about something he did after the events of the book; something i found not only very annoying but which also saped much of the tension in the proccess.
In my opinion, this book is ok, certainly could have been better but well worth a read if you come upon it on offer. Though I would say, spend the extra and buy the movie. Or if you really want to try a Michael Crichton Noveel, bypass Congo and go straight for Jurasic Park.
1 - I love the Movie
2 - It was on sale for £1 at Asda, and after reading it I'm glad i got it on offer.
This was not a disappointing read, I read it in less than a fortnight and found it relativly satisfying. However, I'd say this is one one of those rare books whichinspired a movie that is just about supperior in every way, the primeape version of jaws movie and book comparison if you will. If i had never seen the movie i may have have given it 5 stars.
As i was reading it I seemed to get the impression it was written to a scedule, and Crichton had a mimmum word limit. There was so much detail into the relativly in consiquential to try and explain key moments, it felt almost suffocating. There is also so much tecnical information and explanation provided, yet without a layman's term's summary, i was almost ready to place it back on the self and not look back.
The book is constantly switiching tenses,describing what the character is doing and then, in the next paragraph, informing you about something he did after the events of the book; something i found not only very annoying but which also saped much of the tension in the proccess.
In my opinion, this book is ok, certainly could have been better but well worth a read if you come upon it on offer. Though I would say, spend the extra and buy the movie. Or if you really want to try a Michael Crichton Noveel, bypass Congo and go straight for Jurasic Park.
My first Michael Crichton book, I listened to it on audible and enjoyed it a lot.
Congo is a sci-fi or a techno thriller that reminded me of the Indiana Jones movies in many ways. There is exploration and adventure in one of the areas of the shrinking world that is still mysterious and unknown in many ways. The story follows Karen, a young brilliant scientist who leads an expedition into the unknown parts of Congo to find something valuable for the company she works for. There is a cool jungle guide, as well as Peter, a scientist working with gorillas, as well as Amy, a young gorilla who can communicate with sign language.
The story itself is exciting and fast paced and the character moments and developments are great. The expedition uses technology and data a lot, in a way that is partly old and weird as a reader in 2021, in other ways it is brilliant, especially considering when this book was written. Crichton managed to predict a lot of future technology in this book. The techno thriller parts of the book is definitely in the technology itself, as well as in the intelligent gorilla, Amy.
Overall a great introduction to Crichton and I'll definitely read more of him soon
Congo is a sci-fi or a techno thriller that reminded me of the Indiana Jones movies in many ways. There is exploration and adventure in one of the areas of the shrinking world that is still mysterious and unknown in many ways. The story follows Karen, a young brilliant scientist who leads an expedition into the unknown parts of Congo to find something valuable for the company she works for. There is a cool jungle guide, as well as Peter, a scientist working with gorillas, as well as Amy, a young gorilla who can communicate with sign language.
The story itself is exciting and fast paced and the character moments and developments are great. The expedition uses technology and data a lot, in a way that is partly old and weird as a reader in 2021, in other ways it is brilliant, especially considering when this book was written. Crichton managed to predict a lot of future technology in this book. The techno thriller parts of the book is definitely in the technology itself, as well as in the intelligent gorilla, Amy.
Overall a great introduction to Crichton and I'll definitely read more of him soon
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
It's probably 2½ stars. Lots of info dumping showing off his research into computing technology, primatology, history, geography, etc. The decision to frame this work of fiction as if it were based on a true story told by the survivors leached it somewhat of suspense - a bad thing for a thriller. Amy was by far the best drawn character, with Munro a distant second. There were a few interesting elements for me:
- discussion of cannibalism as a culture (p 147-48)
- nifty quote about colonial Nairobi (p 109)
- discussion of ways of envisioning time (p 231)
- mystery of the ruined city and the killers associated with it and how, if at all, Amy was connected ... though the resolution wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped
- discussion of cannibalism as a culture (p 147-48)
- nifty quote about colonial Nairobi (p 109)
- discussion of ways of envisioning time (p 231)
- mystery of the ruined city and the killers associated with it and how, if at all, Amy was connected ... though the resolution wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First off: nothing like the movie!!
This will make the 3rd Michael Crichton book that's I've devoured this year. And just like the others, it was fucking brilliant. Michael is so detailed and well-thought out that I honestly feel like I learn something from his books. Congo is such an amazing story. Amy is a wonderful character to fall in love with. I don't think I have anything negative to say about this book.
Great way to end my yearly challenge!!
This will make the 3rd Michael Crichton book that's I've devoured this year. And just like the others, it was fucking brilliant. Michael is so detailed and well-thought out that I honestly feel like I learn something from his books. Congo is such an amazing story. Amy is a wonderful character to fall in love with. I don't think I have anything negative to say about this book.
Great way to end my yearly challenge!!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Paul Simon lyrics about "lasers in the jungle somwhere" come to mind in reading this one. Fun, maybe a little less edgy than some of his others.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes