Michael Crichton - Next

Pros: Interesting real-life topic. Entertaining stories and characters.
Cons: Multiple storylines hard to keep straight.

Genetic engineering holds many promises for curing diseases and correcting genetic defects in people. It's not surprising that many see genetic research as a "magic bullet" that will alleviate suffering and even correct undesirable behavioral traits. ...

Pros: Interesting subject matter
Cons: Too many subplots

Author Michael Crichton likes to research various topics and then present his findings in the form of a story. For example, Rising Sun was a murder mystery filled with information about the business practices Japanese automotive companies. His ...

Pros: Interesting ideas on the future (or present) of genetic research and application
Cons: This set of stories is too jumbled.

I borrowed NEXT Michael Crichtons new novel as a Book on CD at my local library and listened to it this past week. I like books on tape or CD, because it lets me enjoy more books than I have time to read. Next is about the latest ...

Pros: Excellent characterization, magical storytelling, fascinating sub plots.
Cons: Too many characters were introduced, no discernible plot.

Throughout the later years, many have become interested in the developing science of the human genome and what commercial benefits might arise through this new and infinitely dangerous scientific triumph. In Next, Crichton address the myriad far reaching ...

Pros: Worthwhile look at an unknown subject. Some fun moments.
Cons: Busy plot. Un-compelling characters.

Everybody knows Micheal Crichton. You've seen Jurassic Park or read "Andromeda Strain" or "Congo". I ...

Pros: Vaguely reminiscent of "Gattaca"
Cons: Transgenic animals are the most sympathetic characters

"Next" is the first Michael Crichton book I have read since Timeline at Christmas 2000, and the fifth overall (when I was eight years old, "Andromeda Strain" became the first novel I ever read). ...

Pros: Good Storyline, Controversial subject
Cons: Storytelling, Too many stories within a story.

Introduction I am big fan of Michael Crichton and the plots that he generally conjures. His story telling though usually leaves a lot to be desired. So, when I heard that a movie by the name of Next is coming, I assumed that it was ...

Pros: Crichton's characteristically meticulous research. You'll learn something.
Cons: Contrived, mediocre story.

Michael Crichton is an author whose meticulous research on his subject matter and readability has made him one of my favorite “pop authors.” His work will most likely never win a Pulitzer, but continues to be literature that appeals to many readers and ...

Pros: Deals with current issues, a lot of interesting information on genetics ...
Cons: Writing & narrative style could be a bit dry for some ...

Blonde's will be extinct in 200 years! A talking ape discovered in the forests of Sumatra!! 30+ and unemployed, taking drugs? No problem, a healthy dose of the Maturity Gene will set everything to rights !! Forget global warming ... from ...

Pros: Current information about the state of transgenesis; cute transgenic characters.
Cons: Underdeveloped story line and too much padding with newspaper articles.

Michael Crichton has fallen into the Stephen King trap of trying to mass-produce novels. His earlier novels were well-crafted with a nice balance of science and story-telling. However, the later novels have emphasized the science (or perhaps ...

Pros: Entertaining, concept is good
Cons: Too many divergent plots and loose ends, incoherent

In addition to being entertaining, Michael Crichton’s novels are based on scientific fact which makes their relevance greater than the literary merit. Although he will not go down in history as a literary writer, the timeliness of his books may. He ...

Pros: Great concept
Cons: Long, boring, disjointed and without much conclusion

THE PLOT: The premise of the story is that the US government provides billions of dollars in funding to research facilities who are then "in bed" with wealthy corporations. The relationships are a relatively transparent warning from Crichton about the ...

Pros: Talking Animals! Frightening Genetic Science!
Cons: The Writing is Objectionable!

"Next" focuses on genetic engineering.

Speaks about patenting, manipulation, and lack of conscience, in the administration of genetic material and human tissues.

It reveals scientific inaccuracies with popular beliefs, and frightens with existing science.

It chronicles the subject of morality, in a changing scientific world, that is advancing at a rapid speed.

The story is solid and enticing.

The characters are interesting, even if we receive a heap of em' to keep track of. Crichton is splendid at exploiting scientific topics. This novel is proof of that, intimidating us with situations that are easily relatable.

In "Next" we receive talking animals that are charming and thrilling.

We read about a speaking monkey called "Dave" and a bright parrot called "Gerard".

The story as a whole delivers.

The portion that does not, is the lack of concrete narration. The story is thrilling and captivating, but the description and choice of vocabulary is appalling and disheartening.

Those Non-Crichton fans, will likely be alienated by the lack of depth and the absence of ambitious description.


This novel WILL be enjoyed but ONLY by heavyweight M.C. fans..

Pros: Excellently researched and informative
Cons: None

Always a favorite author of mine. Mr. Crichton is so much more Science than fiction, as we see in Next. It tells the tale of how man is on the brink of creating new life forms by combining human DNA with a variety of animals. This is set in the present, and as usual, Crichton pulls us in with his excellent use of prose to develop his characters, while humanizing the Next generation of species. Always a great read for science fans.

Pros: Presents multiple side to biotech issues.
Cons: May require additional reading to understand all issues.

I did enjoy this book. I love how Crichton presents ideas to topics I would otherwise know nothing about. I dont know much about biotech but this book provided me with a great overall idea of what is out there and what is going on. I am not going to go out and look up more on biotech stuff, I was just curious. I enjoyed this book as I do all of his books.