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hunterjwspears's review against another edition
4.0
Michael Crichton’s magic comes from teaching you a lot of very niche information, (be it paleontology, climatology, or in this case, genealogy) in a way that is entertaining enough that you hardly feel like you are learning. The excellent part is that you are!
Next, to me, has a perpetual cloud of foreboding dread over it. Even though the book ends with every single plot line wrapped up in a bow with all the good guys getting their days in court and all the bad guys getting their karmically appropriate comeuppance, there is a constant mutual understanding that both reader and author are suspending disbelief for the sake of storytelling.
I suppose I wish this book was willing to go further, perhaps that’s a part of Crichton’s style that I don’t completely vibe with, it seems everything does work out in the end with his stories even when stakes are so high. The most exciting parts of the book was the strange transgenic characters, Gerard the film-critic parrot and Dave the humanzee. Even though they both got to play their unique roles in the action climax, I feel they offer an interesting story path that was never explored as far as it could have.
In addition, while I initially liked the concept of having so many different characters and chapters from different narrators in similar sub-stories acting as a way to paint a broader picture of genetic engineering as something that transcends the individual, I think it did get away from the author. I’ll admit there were a touch too many stories and characters that ultimately didn’t go anywhere. What about the 16 year old who was selling her eggs? What were the bruises from? I read another review that proposed that Crichton read all he could about the state of gene engineering and the related politics and wrote several anecdotal stories regarding this, regardless of their relation to the plot. Taken as just that, they are interesting, but it does seem rather unfocused. A call back or something towards the end would have done a lot for closure and cohesion I think.
To return to the sense of foreboding, Crichton lays out 5 takeaways from his research, where he makes the case to policymakers and the public about how the future of genetic testing, patenting, and research should be conducted and regulated. For all his positivity in storyline conclusions, his pessimism about congressional action comes out in the authors note, where he acknowledges that despite the increasingly urgent nature and potential negative outcomes for the majority of constituents, he is doubtful that reform will occur.
~~~
The thought that I wish Michael Crichton was still around and sharing his work with us is one that occurs every time I read a novel of his, but especially now. It is evident that he viewed genetic tampering as a pivotal issue at the time of his writing, and while he was certainly correct that it would be an important aspect of human life from then on, I feel like he would have a hay day in this very current moment with consumer facing artificial intelligence. With ChatCGT as the harbinger of a changing world, I can only imagine where Crichton would have explored, and what absurd but likely plausible realities he may have arrived at.
Next, to me, has a perpetual cloud of foreboding dread over it. Even though the book ends with every single plot line wrapped up in a bow with all the good guys getting their days in court and all the bad guys getting their karmically appropriate comeuppance, there is a constant mutual understanding that both reader and author are suspending disbelief for the sake of storytelling.
I suppose I wish this book was willing to go further, perhaps that’s a part of Crichton’s style that I don’t completely vibe with, it seems everything does work out in the end with his stories even when stakes are so high. The most exciting parts of the book was the strange transgenic characters, Gerard the film-critic parrot and Dave the humanzee. Even though they both got to play their unique roles in the action climax, I feel they offer an interesting story path that was never explored as far as it could have.
In addition, while I initially liked the concept of having so many different characters and chapters from different narrators in similar sub-stories acting as a way to paint a broader picture of genetic engineering as something that transcends the individual, I think it did get away from the author. I’ll admit there were a touch too many stories and characters that ultimately didn’t go anywhere. What about the 16 year old who was selling her eggs? What were the bruises from? I read another review that proposed that Crichton read all he could about the state of gene engineering and the related politics and wrote several anecdotal stories regarding this, regardless of their relation to the plot. Taken as just that, they are interesting, but it does seem rather unfocused. A call back or something towards the end would have done a lot for closure and cohesion I think.
To return to the sense of foreboding, Crichton lays out 5 takeaways from his research, where he makes the case to policymakers and the public about how the future of genetic testing, patenting, and research should be conducted and regulated. For all his positivity in storyline conclusions, his pessimism about congressional action comes out in the authors note, where he acknowledges that despite the increasingly urgent nature and potential negative outcomes for the majority of constituents, he is doubtful that reform will occur.
~~~
The thought that I wish Michael Crichton was still around and sharing his work with us is one that occurs every time I read a novel of his, but especially now. It is evident that he viewed genetic tampering as a pivotal issue at the time of his writing, and while he was certainly correct that it would be an important aspect of human life from then on, I feel like he would have a hay day in this very current moment with consumer facing artificial intelligence. With ChatCGT as the harbinger of a changing world, I can only imagine where Crichton would have explored, and what absurd but likely plausible realities he may have arrived at.
rohini_murugan's review
3.0
Picked up Michael Crichton after a long long time. Pleasantly glad to have discovered that his books still evoke the same level of engagement and adrenaline in me.
‘Next’ tells us stories. Horror stories of what might happen if genetic engineering is commercialized. If genes are played as a fiddle by the hunky dory capitalistic techbros. The book is thrilling. It is engaging. I docked out stars because it had so many parallels running that it is difficult for the reader to keep all of them in mind. And the science is a bit off at times (there is NO one gene that codes for one trait or one behaviour - it is extremely COMPLEX) but I think it was partly intentional by the author to make the point that scientists can be wildly unethical in exaggerating their claims and discoveries.
It’s not equal to Jurassic Park in its quality but is still a good read if you are a fan of some racy science fiction thriller.
‘Next’ tells us stories. Horror stories of what might happen if genetic engineering is commercialized. If genes are played as a fiddle by the hunky dory capitalistic techbros. The book is thrilling. It is engaging. I docked out stars because it had so many parallels running that it is difficult for the reader to keep all of them in mind. And the science is a bit off at times (there is NO one gene that codes for one trait or one behaviour - it is extremely COMPLEX) but I think it was partly intentional by the author to make the point that scientists can be wildly unethical in exaggerating their claims and discoveries.
It’s not equal to Jurassic Park in its quality but is still a good read if you are a fan of some racy science fiction thriller.
astronautkiller's review against another edition
DNF. i absolutely loved jurassic park and timeline, really enjoyed the lost world and sphere, enjoyed prey. idk wtf this book was. 12 different characters and all unenjoyable. plot wasnt as compelling as he normally writes. just not enjoyable
bethanyruth's review against another edition
3.0
After weeks of checking at the library for Next, I finally broke down and bought it at Borders because it was 50% off. I was pleased with my purchase. Crichton doesn’t write great literature, but he certainly writes great reads - Next is no exception. A cautionary tale about genetic engineering, Next jumps all over the globe in its pursuit of the plot elements. The science is well-researched, as always, and Crichton manages to stay on this side of becoming preachy. (His novel [book:State of Fear] jumps that line and keeps on going.)
If you like Crichton, science, or thrillers, definitely give this one a try. It gets pretty weird at times, but never so much that it isn’t entirely plausible.
If you like Crichton, science, or thrillers, definitely give this one a try. It gets pretty weird at times, but never so much that it isn’t entirely plausible.
krissireads's review against another edition
5.0
How much of our genetics are really ours? We donate blood and have blood draws for testing. What if the tests reveal an anomaly? What if, because we sign the line allowing the test, scientists see that as a right to sell their findings? This book touches on that and so much more, all revolving around genetic testing. Great book!!!!
sams84's review against another edition
3.0
Okay not Crichton's best book but still enjoyable, the storylines were a little bit confusing to begin with but once you get into the book it starts making sense. Wasn't a fan of all the newspaper clipping styles he had in there though, I found they kind of broke the story up too much although I can see why they were included. Overall not a bad story with fairly believable plots and convincing science.
lauderbaugh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
liljainthepages's review against another edition
4.0
„Dieser Roman ist reine Fiktion,
bis auf die Passagen, für die das nicht gilt.“
Ehrlich gesagt, beschäftigt mich dieses Buch weitaus mehr, als ich es gedacht hätte. Gerard & Dave - absolute animal boss babes!!
bis auf die Passagen, für die das nicht gilt.“
Ehrlich gesagt, beschäftigt mich dieses Buch weitaus mehr, als ich es gedacht hätte. Gerard & Dave - absolute animal boss babes!!
ihateprozac's review against another edition
5.0
A really great scientific/slightly futuristic thriller-style novel that gives you an insight into the dog eat dog world of genetics and biotechnology. The way all the stories intertwined was entertaining, and the book was obviously well researched, although the scientific language was easily understood. My only negative criticism is that the abundance of characters, chronologies and narrators was occasionally difficult to keep track of.
The book has a great moral (well, several) that are littered throughout the story and in the author's notes at the end of the book, and it definitely opened up my eyes to the power of science in our modern world.
The book has a great moral (well, several) that are littered throughout the story and in the author's notes at the end of the book, and it definitely opened up my eyes to the power of science in our modern world.