Lyn's Reviews > Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
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really liked it

As is most frequently the case, the book was better than the film.

And it was a really cool movie. Directed by Stephen Spielberg.

The section of Universal theme park in Orlando is fun too.

Michael Crichton’s 1990 genetically powered biological thriller combines an action packed adventure story with a cautionary tale of corporate, capitalistic greed gone wrong and rolls it all into a humanistic story with excellent characterization and that could be read as a powerful allegory of the harsh realities of laissez faire economics.

And there are dinosaurs.

Fast moving and intensely paced, there is not much filler material in this lean 400-page narrative. Crichton demonstrates his accomplished talent for story telling and though this is my first of his novels (and so I have no basis for comparison), this will not be my last.

While Alan Grant is the thematic and contextual protagonist – the paleontologist dropped off on an island teaming with REAL LIVE DINOSAURS!! – Crichton uses the rock star cool, black dressed, philosophical chaos theory mathematician Ian Malcolm as its spiritual guide for what this book says once the adrenaline has run out.

Clearly, Crichton had a message to impart and showed impressive virtuosity in how to deliver.

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Reading Progress

November 30, 2014 – Started Reading
November 30, 2014 – Shelved
December 10, 2014 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-33 of 33 (33 new)

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message 1: by T.B. (new)

T.B. Markinson I remember this one kept me up late at night. Gosh I read it so many years ago.


message 2: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn I am really enjoying it so far


message 3: by T.B. (new)

T.B. Markinson Lyn wrote: "I am really enjoying it so far"

I'm assuming you've seen the movie. I found the book much more exciting, but I usually think that.


Will M. I really liked this one, good luck!


message 5: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Yes, I liked the films too, but I like the fast pace and technical erudition of the book


message 6: by T.B. (new)

T.B. Markinson Lyn wrote: "Yes, I liked the films too, but I like the fast pace and technical erudition of the book"

I should read more by him.


message 7: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn I am going to, he's a very good writer. So far I have purchased The Andromeda Strain and Binary one of his earlier novels.


message 8: by T.B. (new)

T.B. Markinson Lyn wrote: "I am going to, he's a very good writer. So far I have purchased The Andromeda Strain and Binary one of his earlier novels."

Looking forward to reading your reviews!


message 9: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Thanks! You too


message 10: by Lynn (new)

Lynn What a treat to see Wally Shawn greeting Sam Neill!


message 11: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Thanks, Lynn!


Michael Great to feel fresh eye on this classic. The best of 10 or so I read. I could be ready for him again after a decade pause. His imagination and pacing for a thriller are great, but his characters and plot devices wear thin after awhile. Plus I got burn by his anti-global warning novel, "State of Siege" (which actually has a bibliography to prove many places are not getting hotter).


message 13: by Slender man (new)

Slender man Great book


message 14: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Thanks, Michael and Slender Man, I'm definitely going to read more from him


Cathy Love those photos, lol.... It's been a while, but I think I liked the book better than the movie. I love the movie, but the kids are extremely annoying and I hate the girl in the movie...


message 16: by Tony (new) - rated it 4 stars

Tony I read a very interesting comment by a female paleontologist just yesterday in Josh Bazell's Wild Thing:

What do they call a male paleontologist? - Dr. Grant

What do they call a female paleontologist? - Ellie


message 17: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Tony wrote: "I read a very interesting comment by a female paleontologist just yesterday in Josh Bazell's Wild Thing:

What do they call a male paleontologist? - Dr. Grant

What do they call a female paleontolo..."


What?


message 18: by Tony (new) - rated it 4 stars

Tony That was the answer: the male is Doctor and the female is her first name...


message 19: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Ah, hmmm, interesting


message 20: by Bill (new) - rated it 5 stars

Bill I absolutely tore through this one before the movie came out. A terrific read!


message 21: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Yep, I need to read more from him


message 22: by Erik (new) - rated it 4 stars

Erik Funny that you should mention the ride. Last time I was at universal (some years ago), the ride BROKE just as we neared the giant t-rex head at the end of the opening tunnel. Gears jammed and whirred and for a brief second I thought the head might actually fall and crush us. It didn't, but we ended up stuck there, beneath the rex and his toothy maw.

...so basically it approximated the movie/book experience pretty well.


message 23: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Yikes!


Wayne Barrett Thanks for waking me up with this review. What have I been waiting on? Yep, I've been meaning to read this one for a long time. Adding it now!


Paget I really enjoy your reviews. Now I want to reread Jurassic Park. I read this years ago. I remember reading Prey and Timeline and after that every Crichton book I could find.


message 26: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Thanks!


Wayne Barrett Great review, Lyn. You might want to check out his novel 'Eaters of the Dead'. There was a movie made from it but they titled it 'The 13th Warrior' starring Antonio Bandaras. In the style of 'Beowolf' I thought it was an excellent book.


message 28: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn I remember the film, and I'd like to read it, he's an amazing writer


message 29: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn and thanks!


message 30: by Denis (new)

Denis I've read a few Crichton novels - State of Fear, Next and Micro, he was a decent writer worth reading - one of those authors who tend to lean towards scifi while never letting themselves get pigeon holed into the genre.


message 31: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Good observation


message 32: by Wendy (new) - added it

Wendy Gamble Thanks for the scoop on movie vs book. I enjoyed the movie, though it was a bit of a silly monster chase. Loved the theme park. Now I guess I really have to read that copy I got for Christmas.


message 33: by Lyn (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lyn Thanks Wendy, did you ever read the book?


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