Book Review - Sphere by Michael Crichton

Rating: 9/10

On the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. Government discovered a spacecraft of enormous size. It could only have come from outer space, so a team of scientists is brought underwater to discover the secrets of the craft. What they find is astounding: the growth of coral around the ship proves that it has been lying there for over 300 years.

The summary, indeed, is intriguing, and Crichton doesn't fail to satisfy that. Every turn, every plot twist is exciting, suspenseful, and ultimately dangerous. It's one of his best works, undeniably.

Book Review - The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

Rating: 7/10

One of Project Scoop's satellites had just crashed onto an obscure town in Arizona. Two personnel are dispatched to retrieve it, but when they arrive at the town of Piedmont, dead bodies are strewn everywhere. Soon enough, they were both dead. The situation plunges the headquarters into alarm. What had caused the instantaneous deaths? Elsewhere, the Wildfire team, headed by prominent bacteriologist Jeremy Stone, is alerted of the contamination. Can this group of scientists find the culprit for these deaths? And can they find a cure in time to save others?

It's a 1969 novel by Michael Crichton, who is one of my favorite writers. However, for a Crichton novel, I didn't find it exactly engrossing as, say, Jurassic Park or The Terminal Man. The tension, the suspense is completely lost on me, although the language used wasn't exactly as "scientific" as his other books. There was only one scene where I "felt it": the final sequence with Hall, although I also found it lacking.

The Andromeda Strain leaves much to be desired. In spite of the "rave reviews" printed on the cover and on the first pages, I didn't find it as appealing. (Of course, I'm operating on "like" here.)

Book Review - The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton

Rating: 9/10

Harry Benson suffers from psychomotor epilepsy. He often has seizures which are followed by blackouts, which often result to his injuring someone near him fatally. Doctors Ellis and Morris of the University Hospital are certain that they can "cure" Benson of these seizures by implanting 40 electrodes in his brain that would stop the seizures from occurring. However, a female psychiatrist, Janet Ross, and an emeritus professor, Manon, question the nature of Benson's mind which is, according to them, psychotic. In spite of this, the two doctors operate on Benson. The operation is successful and things seem to be going well, until Benson finds a way to stimulate the seizures himself. He escapes the hospital, and starts wreaking havoc.

The Terminal Man is basically a medical fiction novel, but I completely understood it. That alone makes it awesome. It's readable and easy to understand, even for a non-scientific person (like me). What Michael Crichton suggested here - mind control - is not far from happening, and it's really, really scary. (That's probably the reason why I read sci-fi - because it predicts things that could happen in the future)

Another subject that is discussed in the novel is the idea that machines are replacing people. This is indeed true in our present day. We've probably heard of workers losing their jobs because machines are being installed in factories for faster production. In this concept, I don't think Benson was psychotic, because it's happening right now.

The idea of a brain pacemaker is cool, I think. But, of course, it has its down side too, as Crichton discussed in the novel. Take that Backerman guy for example. Medical science is trying to find ways to cure people, not entertain them.

Now, mind control is interesting. I liked that paragraph about humans having their minds controlled since birth. This is one of the things that happen which is not usually noticed by most people. Mind control is a reality.

Okay. So I pretty much liked The Terminal Man. Next to Tess Gerritsen's Gravity, this is one of the best medical fiction book I've read (so far).

Book Review - Congo by Michael Crichton

Rating: 9/10

Whoo! I like Congo better than Rising Sun because it's more of a science-plus-archaeology-plus-technology kind of book. Like Jack West in Seven Deadly Wonders, I liked Captain Munro's character best. He's a military man, strong and able, and very dependable. Unlike West, though, I think he's more believable. Anyway, I also liked the rest of the [surviving] expedition team, especially Amy the gorilla. She's such a dear thing... And, once again, Crichton makes you believe that what he's talking about is true by writing with confidence, like an expert. He's such a great writer! I'm looking forward to reading more of his works.. :)

Book Review - Rising Sun by Michael Crichton

Rating: 8/10

This was another great book by Michael Crichton. It's not that deep in science like Jurassic Park was, though. Rising Sun is about the "invasion" of the Japanese into the American economy. Frankly, Crichton is telling us all the truth that we choose to ignore. If we're not careful, we just might get into this situation. (Hell, we're in this situation already.) It's business and technology for the most part but there was also an exciting police adventure. I felt really nervous at the end of page 355. And I think that's one of the beauties of Michael Crichton's works: he makes you really feel and think what he wants you to feel and think. I guess you could picture a master puppeeter here 'cause that's exactly what the late Crichton is. There's that ability to manipulate us which is sort of rare in today's literature.

So, yeah. This one's a great book although the business part of it makes me dizzy. Next up is Congo.

Some food for thought: This is clearly the situation the Philippines is in. It's unmistakable. I mean, I see those Korean stores lined up all over the city. They're even in our campuses. Next thing we know? They'll be taking over the business sector (haven't they already?) and running for government positions (if that's even possible...). How's that? In a few years it could happen, no? Oh well... *shrug shrug* We let the Philippines get exploited because the government believes we can't stand on our own and we need foreign investors. Like, yeah, we need them. They're practically all over us. :P

Book Review - Timeline by Michael Crichton

Rating: 9/10

The novel is great, as to be expected of Crichton's prowess. The world he created is interesting and frighteningly realistic. The plot is easy to follow and the scientific explanations are short but precise. The only thing I find unnerving is the pattern he uses in this novel. Nonetheless, it is a great book and a great find. :)

Book review - The Lost World by Michael Crichton

Rating: 9/10

Frankly speaking, I think the first novel was way better. What I liked about this novel, though, was the fact that it wasn't using too scientific terms and that the suspense is really alive. While reading it, I felt like I was really there, hearing the giant steps and feeling the ground shake. All together, its a pretty nice novel.

I'm looking forward to reading more of Crichton's works in the future.

Two new books! - again

So yeah. I bought two new books last Friday. I had a lucky find with Michael Crichton's The Lost World and Helen Keller's The Story of my Life. Yippee! Can't wait to read..!

My book collection just reached 113!

Book Review - Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Rating: 9.5/10

This novel is just awesome. Written in simple prose, this science thriller is really the best. Michael Crichton is writing in his element. The theme is believable and the dinosaurs are so life-like you could almost feel as if they're about to nip your toes.

I could have given it a perfect rating but I felt that the gore scenes were, somehow, not enough. I expected more blood, a lot more blood.

But it's still a great read, guys. Give it a try!