jordan_dewey's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounding up. 3/4 of this book was amazing and fantastic and interesting and suspenseful. The last little bit though? Rough. Maybe because it’s based on true events? Idk man, spice it up. Throw in a Dino fight or SOMEthing.
deaken's review against another edition
5.0
Another MC classic.
If you’ve seen the film, it doesn’t even come close to doing this book justice in the adaptation. As with most of Crichton’s books that were adapted to film, the books are generally darker and always much better. This is just classic MC, definitely recommend.
If you’ve seen the film, it doesn’t even come close to doing this book justice in the adaptation. As with most of Crichton’s books that were adapted to film, the books are generally darker and always much better. This is just classic MC, definitely recommend.
kbetz22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
danakm's review against another edition
5.0
Probably one of my favorite Crichton book. Exciting, smart and intense.
mullane45's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
I picked this up as something throwaway that I could read while the Euros are happening and taking up most of my time/brain, but I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I expected.
Essentially a classic adventure story combined with a techno-thriller, we follow a group of scientists as they journey into the depths of the Congo rainforest in search of rare diamonds that are going to be essential in getting what would become the digital age off the ground. Tagging along is a primatologist and his tame gorilla Amy, who was rescued from the Congo, and whom he's taught more sign-language to than any other ape in history. The team find themselves in a race against time to beat a rival group to the lost city where the diamonds are said to be found, battling against the dangers posed by a local military uprising, the indigenous people of the region, and the primal rainforest itself. Perhaps worst of all is the suggestion that there might be something else out there in the wilds. Something previously undiscovered. Something that brutally killed the previous expedition...
It's a bit dated in places - written in 1980, it presents emerging technology with a science-fiction-like eye, at times written in the style of an essay, complete with footnotes and references. Crichton takes his time to explain complex technological (and biological) concepts to the reader, which would today be explained instantly with words like "Photoshop" or "the Internet". This isn't a complaint - it never feels like a lecture, and it's actually quite neat to read. For instance: "experts anticipated that by 1990 there would actually be one billion computers - most of them linked by communications networks to other computers. Such networks didn't exist, and might even be theoretically impossible. (A 1975 study by the Hanover Institute concluded there was insufficient metal in the Earth's crust to construct the necessary computer transmission lines.) - See? Fun!
It's also dated in some other ways - references to Czechoslovakia are fine, one character light-heartedly using a derogatory term to refer to all Asian people is not.
For the most part though, this a fast-paced, rollicking adventure, which neatly contrasts a world on the cusp of a digital revolution with the more natural and primal one that's being diminished in its wake. Fans of the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy will also find much to enjoy in Amy, the intelligent gorilla, who adds another layer to proceedings.
Very, very readable.
I picked this up as something throwaway that I could read while the Euros are happening and taking up most of my time/brain, but I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I expected.
Essentially a classic adventure story combined with a techno-thriller, we follow a group of scientists as they journey into the depths of the Congo rainforest in search of rare diamonds that are going to be essential in getting what would become the digital age off the ground. Tagging along is a primatologist and his tame gorilla Amy, who was rescued from the Congo, and whom he's taught more sign-language to than any other ape in history. The team find themselves in a race against time to beat a rival group to the lost city where the diamonds are said to be found, battling against the dangers posed by a local military uprising, the indigenous people of the region, and the primal rainforest itself. Perhaps worst of all is the suggestion that there might be something else out there in the wilds. Something previously undiscovered. Something that brutally killed the previous expedition...
It's a bit dated in places - written in 1980, it presents emerging technology with a science-fiction-like eye, at times written in the style of an essay, complete with footnotes and references. Crichton takes his time to explain complex technological (and biological) concepts to the reader, which would today be explained instantly with words like "Photoshop" or "the Internet". This isn't a complaint - it never feels like a lecture, and it's actually quite neat to read. For instance: "experts anticipated that by 1990 there would actually be one billion computers - most of them linked by communications networks to other computers. Such networks didn't exist, and might even be theoretically impossible. (A 1975 study by the Hanover Institute concluded there was insufficient metal in the Earth's crust to construct the necessary computer transmission lines.) - See? Fun!
It's also dated in some other ways - references to Czechoslovakia are fine, one character light-heartedly using a derogatory term to refer to all Asian people is not.
For the most part though, this a fast-paced, rollicking adventure, which neatly contrasts a world on the cusp of a digital revolution with the more natural and primal one that's being diminished in its wake. Fans of the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy will also find much to enjoy in Amy, the intelligent gorilla, who adds another layer to proceedings.
Very, very readable.
eeclayton's review against another edition
3.0
An expedition looking for blue diamonds in Congo are brutally attacked. A second expedition is sent to find out what happened and find the diamonds. This second group includes a gorilla who communicates via sign language. While they're racing against their competitors, they have to face not only the harsh African jungle environment, but also the mysterious beasts that killed the first group.
You'll need a healthy amount of suspension of disbelief for this book, and also patience with all the tech talk about gadgets and innovations that I'm sure were groundbreaking in 1980 but might not be that impressive in 2020.
Nevertheless, it's a fast-paced story with something always happening, and I found it really entertaining.
You'll need a healthy amount of suspension of disbelief for this book, and also patience with all the tech talk about gadgets and innovations that I'm sure were groundbreaking in 1980 but might not be that impressive in 2020.
Nevertheless, it's a fast-paced story with something always happening, and I found it really entertaining.
badwolfbae's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good story, interesting and enjoyable. I like the differences between this and the movie, both are good works. Crichton had an interesting voice in this book as he narrated it like a real event, with asides mentioning different scientific studies or mentions of the future of the characters. I’ve seen that style of storytelling done better, but it was very informative.
iluvbooks13's review against another edition
5.0
When i started this book, i wasn't sure what it was going to be about. I was reading the book while i was alone babysitting.... big mistake! It was so freaky!!! The book is about a group of scientists who are searching for a city that has been deserted, and all the groups who have searched for it have disapeared. When this group goes out, though, they have found the city by sattlite images. There are strange things that they see along the way, but the strangest (and scariest) is a camp of dead people. Their skull has been crushed by some unknown force. The gorrila Amy (who knows sign language) helps them discover the secrets of the ancient city and the strange gorrilas inside...
WARNING:*** Do NOT read this book at night!!! ***
WARNING:*** Do NOT read this book at night!!! ***