Michael Crichton's "Next" 11/28
11-11-06, 02:23 PM
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Michael Crichton's "Next" 11/28
Hadn't seen this mentioned yet...
http://www.michaelcrichton.com/next/index.html
Can't wait.
http://www.michaelcrichton.com/next/index.html
New York, NY (September 12, 2006) - HarperCollins Publishers announces the publication of NEXT, the new novel by #1 bestselling author Michael Crichton. The one-day laydown is November 28th. NEXT will be published in hardcover, audio, large print and e-book formats simultaneously around the world by HarperCollins Publishers in the English language. The announced first printing is 2 million copies.
In his brilliant new blockbuster, Michael Crichton takes the reader into the realm of genetics: fast, furious and out of control. Prepare to enter a world where nothing is as it seems and a new set of possibilities is opening up at every turn. NEXT challenges your sense of what is happening, what is true and what is ethical. NEXT will overturn your assumptions of what you thought you knew. Provocative yet playful, dark and disturbing, NEXT is Michael Crichton as you've never seen him before.
NEXT will have you asking yourself:
Could your loved one be missing some body parts? Are blondes becoming extinct? Is everyone at your dinner table of the same species? It's 2006: do you know who all your children are? Do you know humans and chimpanzees differ in only 400 genes? Do you want to design your own pet? Change the stripes on the fish in your aquarium? Or sell your eggs and sperm online for thousands of dollars? Did you know one fifth of all your genes are owned by someone else? Come to think of it, could you and your family be pursued cross country just because you happen to have certain genes in your body?
This is not just the world of the future-it's the world right now! Most of the events in this book have already happened. And the rest are just around the corner.
Get used to it.
In his brilliant new blockbuster, Michael Crichton takes the reader into the realm of genetics: fast, furious and out of control. Prepare to enter a world where nothing is as it seems and a new set of possibilities is opening up at every turn. NEXT challenges your sense of what is happening, what is true and what is ethical. NEXT will overturn your assumptions of what you thought you knew. Provocative yet playful, dark and disturbing, NEXT is Michael Crichton as you've never seen him before.
NEXT will have you asking yourself:
Could your loved one be missing some body parts? Are blondes becoming extinct? Is everyone at your dinner table of the same species? It's 2006: do you know who all your children are? Do you know humans and chimpanzees differ in only 400 genes? Do you want to design your own pet? Change the stripes on the fish in your aquarium? Or sell your eggs and sperm online for thousands of dollars? Did you know one fifth of all your genes are owned by someone else? Come to think of it, could you and your family be pursued cross country just because you happen to have certain genes in your body?
This is not just the world of the future-it's the world right now! Most of the events in this book have already happened. And the rest are just around the corner.
Get used to it.
Can't wait.
11-11-06, 05:00 PM
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I enjoyed the last 2 Crichton books immensely, so I'll be picking this one up as well. For a while there it seemed like he was on autopilot, but he seems to be back in top form now.
11-11-06, 09:54 PM
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I'll be picking this book up without a doubt. Does anyone know of any other authors that are similar to Michael Crichton (adventure science fiction authors)? I love the unique topics he writes about.
11-11-06, 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by The_Cube
I'll be picking this book up without a doubt. Does anyone know of any other authors that are similar to Michael Crichton (adventure science fiction authors)? I love the unique topics he writes about.
Other than him, I can't think of anyone off the top of my head. If I do, I'll post the names.
11-11-06, 11:11 PM
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Crichton's been off his game for years by now. His last decent book was "The Lost World" and even that didn't live up to stuff like "The Terminal Man" and "The Andromeda Strain". I didn't even bother with "State of Fear" because "Airframe", "Timeline" and "Prey" were so "meh".
11-12-06, 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by GuruTwo
Crichton's been off his game for years by now. His last decent book was "The Lost World" and even that didn't live up to stuff like "The Terminal Man" and "The Andromeda Strain". I didn't even bother with "State of Fear" because "Airframe", "Timeline" and "Prey" were so "meh".
11-12-06, 07:22 AM
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Originally Posted by PalmerJoss
Neal Stephenson kind of fits into that mold. He writes what are basically historical adventure/scifi novels. Amazing reads all, but they require a lot of the reader. He often goes off on diatribes that seem completely unrelated to the plot, but make sense later on in the book.
Other than him, I can't think of anyone off the top of my head. If I do, I'll post the names.
Other than him, I can't think of anyone off the top of my head. If I do, I'll post the names.
11-12-06, 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Tom Banjo
I thought State of Fear was leagues beyond Airframe, Timeline, and Prey. I'm excited for the new one!
11-12-06, 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by The_Cube
Thanks for the info on Neal Stephenson. I'll have to check out his book Snow Crash. It looks like it has an interesting premise.
11-12-06, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by The_Cube
I'll be picking this book up without a doubt. Does anyone know of any other authors that are similar to Michael Crichton (adventure science fiction authors)? I love the unique topics he writes about.
11-12-06, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by resinrats
Can they really call it a blockbuster if it hasn't even been released? While remote, there is a chance it can bomb.
And most of Michael Crichton's novels are the textbook definition of science-fiction.
11-12-06, 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Groucho
And most of Michael Crichton's novels are the textbook definition of science-fiction.
Of course, some of them have no speculative fiction elements. I suppose that makes him somewhat unique in publishing, as he's been able to move back and forth between speculative and non-spec fiction, and hasn't been pigeonholed as genre writers typically are.
11-12-06, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by djmont
It's interesting that you say that, as I never think of his books that way. But you're right, time travel and reborn dinosaurs have to be some kind of science fiction. Of course, some of them have no speculative fiction elements. I suppose that makes him somewhat unique in publishing, as he's been able to move back and forth between speculative and non-spec fiction, and hasn't been pigeonholed as genre writers typically are.
Of course, some of them have no speculative fiction elements. I suppose that makes him somewhat unique in publishing, as he's been able to move back and forth between speculative and non-spec fiction, and hasn't been pigeonholed as genre writers typically are.
11-12-06, 10:16 PM
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can't wait for this.
BTW I must be one of the few that liked airframe. I consider it one of faovrites by him. Prey was ok and timeline was interesting. One I cant really didnt like was disclosure it felt like a chore to just get through.
BTW I must be one of the few that liked airframe. I consider it one of faovrites by him. Prey was ok and timeline was interesting. One I cant really didnt like was disclosure it felt like a chore to just get through.
11-13-06, 06:56 AM
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Strife, I thought Airframe was superior as well. I especially enjoyed the skewering of the news magazine shows. Good stuff.
I think Crichton has only written one bad book, and that was The Lost World. He cashed in on that one -- and more power to him -- but the story just wasn't there.
I suppose his "Michael Douglas" book wasn't very good either. But I blame his brother for that one.
I think Crichton has only written one bad book, and that was The Lost World. He cashed in on that one -- and more power to him -- but the story just wasn't there.
I suppose his "Michael Douglas" book wasn't very good either. But I blame his brother for that one.
11-14-06, 02:19 PM
#18
Originally Posted by The_Cube
I'll be picking this book up without a doubt. Does anyone know of any other authors that are similar to Michael Crichton (adventure science fiction authors)? I love the unique topics he writes about.
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (together and sometimes individually) can fit the bill too. "Relic" and "Reliquary" are extremely "Crichtonesque", as are others like "Mount Dragon", "Thunderhead", "Ice Limit", "Brimstone", "Cabinet of Curiousities". Solo work like Child's "Utopia" and Preston's "Tyranosaur Canyon" fit the bill too.
I've only read 2 of his books, but those 2 by Jeff Long also are similar. "The Descent" (which I highly recommend) and "Year Zero" (which I was disappointed in, though some seem to have liked it).
Crichton's been up and down for me, but even at his silliest (like "Prey" or "Congo") the pages turn fast and I don't regret the purchase. Haven't read "State of Fear" yet, probably because the subject matter seemed very unappealing to me though I'm sure I'll eventually give it a shot.
11-15-06, 08:47 AM
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I thought Airframe was fantastic. I've been reading Crichton since I was a teenager and some books I haven't read since.
I'd rank his books this way, roughly:
Jurassic Park
Sphere
Airframe / Disclosure / The Lost World
Congo / Andromeda Strain / Travels
State of Fear
Prey / Terminal Man
Terminal Man
Timeline
Eaters of the Dead
I'd rank his books this way, roughly:
Jurassic Park
Sphere
Airframe / Disclosure / The Lost World
Congo / Andromeda Strain / Travels
State of Fear
Prey / Terminal Man
Terminal Man
Timeline
Eaters of the Dead
11-17-06, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by RichardW
I had no idea this was coming out. Thanks, Geofferson!
11-18-06, 10:13 PM
#22
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Sounds good. I enjoy Michael Crichton immensely. I am also one of the few that enjoyed Airframe quite a bit. although I think his last few efforts have been mediocre. I liked Timeline but thought it could have been so much better, only made it about 3/4 of the way through Prey, and never even got around to State of Fear. but I'm always up for his "Next" book.
I'd rank his books as such (those that I've read):
Jurassic Park - by far his best, most imaginative work.
Airframe - I enjoyed the subtle down to earth storyline.
Lost world - A cash in but still a very enjoyable read that's a great followup to JP.
Timeline - Not bad but I was hoping for more.
The Great Train Robbery - Clever detour from his usual fare.
Congo - Not terribly great but not his worst effort.
A Case of Need - No flow, I had a hard time following the story...too convoluted, IMO.
Rising Sun - Didn't like it one bit had no interest in the story.
I'd rank his books as such (those that I've read):
Jurassic Park - by far his best, most imaginative work.
Airframe - I enjoyed the subtle down to earth storyline.
Lost world - A cash in but still a very enjoyable read that's a great followup to JP.
Timeline - Not bad but I was hoping for more.
The Great Train Robbery - Clever detour from his usual fare.
Congo - Not terribly great but not his worst effort.
A Case of Need - No flow, I had a hard time following the story...too convoluted, IMO.
Rising Sun - Didn't like it one bit had no interest in the story.
11-18-06, 11:48 PM
#23
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Originally Posted by brainee
James Rollins was also someone that came to my mind. Though the book covers don't always indicate it (they usually play up comparisons to Clive Cussler, and make them sound like straight-forward action), all of his books have heavy sci-fi elements to them.
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (together and sometimes individually) can fit the bill too. "Relic" and "Reliquary" are extremely "Crichtonesque", as are others like "Mount Dragon", "Thunderhead", "Ice Limit", "Brimstone", "Cabinet of Curiousities". Solo work like Child's "Utopia" and Preston's "Tyranosaur Canyon" fit the bill too.
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (together and sometimes individually) can fit the bill too. "Relic" and "Reliquary" are extremely "Crichtonesque", as are others like "Mount Dragon", "Thunderhead", "Ice Limit", "Brimstone", "Cabinet of Curiousities". Solo work like Child's "Utopia" and Preston's "Tyranosaur Canyon" fit the bill too.
I had no idea this book was coming out until I clicked on this thread, but I'll be picking it up for sure. Cricton's recent books aren't as great as the stuff he wrote 15 years ago, but I've enjoyed them nonetheless. Prey was probably the weakest, but Timeline and State of Fear were pretty compelling (despite a fairly weak ending to State of Fear).
12-01-06, 10:41 AM
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I just finished Next. Good stuff. Entertaining, fast-paced and the characters are a hoot. (Now I gotta work on my review.)
Anyone else read it yet?
Anyone else read it yet?
12-01-06, 01:06 PM
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Didn't you and I have this conversation about the last Crichton, too?
We're in the same boat, supposed to be working on our reviews.
It wasn't bad - better than State of Fear, but nowhere near his heights. An interesting approach to the narrative structure, but by the end the deus ex machina machine was smoking a lot from overwork.
We're in the same boat, supposed to be working on our reviews.
It wasn't bad - better than State of Fear, but nowhere near his heights. An interesting approach to the narrative structure, but by the end the deus ex machina machine was smoking a lot from overwork.