Scan barcode
A review by sarah_tellesbo
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
3.0
I’ve only read one other Michael Crichton book (State of Fear), and I really wasn’t a big fan. Like many authors, Michael Crichton tends to use his writing platform as a conduit for his political beliefs. He has every right to do so, and I absolutely don’t hold it against him that he does. And while I don’t disagree with everything he has to say, I do take issue with a fair amount of the content of his beliefs– or at least the way he writes about them.
In State of Fear, his message was explicit and obnoxiously loud. Overkill. He definitely had it toned down in Jurassic Park (written about 14 years earlier in his career), and I was grateful for that. Instead of designing the entire plot of the story to fit a particular agenda, he wrote an entertaining story and used one particular character (Malcolm) as the occasional spokesperson for his message. It was much more subtle and skillful; it created an accessibility to his writing that allows for reader enjoyment whether or not there is political agreement.
I also found it interesting to experience the differences between Jurassic Park the book and Jurassic Park the movie. There were many! The book was far more graphic than the movie (which makes sense given the age difference between target audiences), and there were some fairly major character differences as well. Some characters were more or less present in the book’s storyline, while other characters had completely different personalities and demeanors altogether.
I hardly ever say this, but I actually think I like the movie better than the book in this case. I can’t exactly pinpoint why… My hunch is that it has something to do with the fact that I watched Jurassic Park the movie as a kid and there’s a pretty strong nostalgic component to it.
Regardless, it’s a well written book and obviously well loved by many.
In State of Fear, his message was explicit and obnoxiously loud. Overkill. He definitely had it toned down in Jurassic Park (written about 14 years earlier in his career), and I was grateful for that. Instead of designing the entire plot of the story to fit a particular agenda, he wrote an entertaining story and used one particular character (Malcolm) as the occasional spokesperson for his message. It was much more subtle and skillful; it created an accessibility to his writing that allows for reader enjoyment whether or not there is political agreement.
I also found it interesting to experience the differences between Jurassic Park the book and Jurassic Park the movie. There were many! The book was far more graphic than the movie (which makes sense given the age difference between target audiences), and there were some fairly major character differences as well. Some characters were more or less present in the book’s storyline, while other characters had completely different personalities and demeanors altogether.
I hardly ever say this, but I actually think I like the movie better than the book in this case. I can’t exactly pinpoint why… My hunch is that it has something to do with the fact that I watched Jurassic Park the movie as a kid and there’s a pretty strong nostalgic component to it.
Regardless, it’s a well written book and obviously well loved by many.