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A review by quinn_caddel
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A classic of horror, survival, and teeth.
A cautionary tale about the dangers of genetic engineering: Jurassic Park thrills and terrifies its characters and readers alike when dinosaurs are genetically cloned and recreated in the modern world and those in charge of the park overestimate their ability to control them.
I loved the movie and finally decided to pick up the book, which I enjoyed just as much. It was a fun time picking out which parts of the novel were used in the movies! I also really enjoyed the more in-depth science talk in the book that we missed out on in the movie. It was still digestible for the average reader and fun to think about. The encounters with the dinosaurs felt harrowing and easily my favorite scenes to read.
The book is plot-driven first and foremost. It’s slow in the beginning with frequent jumps from character to character as events take place, putting the reader at the forefront of the action wherever it is. The characters were introduced fairly quickly with brief glimpses into their lives before going to the park. However, the characters do come off as somewhat one-dimensional with no big changes in who they are by the time the story is over. The likable characters were still very likable by the end, and when the unlikeable characters didn’t make it, I wasn’t too heartbroken over their deaths.
I’ll also say that the book is of its time, and I was cringing at some descriptions and actions of the characters as I read, but it didn’t ruin the overall experience of the book.
A cautionary tale about the dangers of genetic engineering: Jurassic Park thrills and terrifies its characters and readers alike when dinosaurs are genetically cloned and recreated in the modern world and those in charge of the park overestimate their ability to control them.
I loved the movie and finally decided to pick up the book, which I enjoyed just as much. It was a fun time picking out which parts of the novel were used in the movies! I also really enjoyed the more in-depth science talk in the book that we missed out on in the movie. It was still digestible for the average reader and fun to think about. The encounters with the dinosaurs felt harrowing and easily my favorite scenes to read.
The book is plot-driven first and foremost. It’s slow in the beginning with frequent jumps from character to character as events take place, putting the reader at the forefront of the action wherever it is. The characters were introduced fairly quickly with brief glimpses into their lives before going to the park. However, the characters do come off as somewhat one-dimensional with no big changes in who they are by the time the story is over. The likable characters were still very likable by the end, and when the unlikeable characters didn’t make it, I wasn’t too heartbroken over their deaths.
I’ll also say that the book is of its time, and I was cringing at some descriptions and actions of the characters as I read, but it didn’t ruin the overall experience of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Sexism and Violence
Minor: Child death, Fatphobia, and Vomit