Lyn's Reviews > Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1)
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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.
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:
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T.B.
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Dec 03, 2014 08:32AM
I remember this one kept me up late at night. Gosh I read it so many years ago.
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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.
I'm assuming you've seen the movie. I found the book much more exciting, but I usually think that.
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.
I should read more by him.
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.
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!
Looking forward to reading your reviews!
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).
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...
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
What do they call a male paleontologist? - Dr. Grant
What do they call a female paleontologist? - Ellie
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?
What do they call a male paleontologist? - Dr. Grant
What do they call a female paleontolo..."
What?
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.
...so basically it approximated the movie/book experience pretty well.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.