Olivier 5 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Michael Crichton was a brilliant thinker, writer and director, whose works led to great movies (some directed by him) and wonderful scores by John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith.From the start (I discovered him with Jurassic Park, as many) I have loved his science fiction novels because they were literally just that: fiction rooted in scientific facts, taken a few steps further, which raised interesting and important issues.His other novels were just as interesting, and in both cases, he skillfully weaved facts into the narration in as unobtrusive a way as possible, and was very good at explaining complex things clearly.If you love the movies, you must read the novels, because there is a lot more to them than a mere additional action scenes or plot points, however spectacular or clever they may be: his use of fractals in Jurassic Park was a great idea, for instance.Thank you for your literary and cinematographic works, the movies and the splendid music they inspired, Mr Crichton! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 No, not really, it jut made a great opener to a good thriller.Actually, it came towards the end of the book where Malcolm and Hammond are in the bunker.Ah my bad. It's been a many years since i read it. 1994 I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,087 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 No kidding. It's a way of marginalizing the dangers of climate change by saying, "well, at least the earth will survive." I don't care about the earth surviving, I care about people surviving.I care about that too. And that's exactly what I always assumed the Crichton text was about. I don't see anything marginalising about it. It's a simple fact that the planet will most likely survive anything we can do at this point, even if we wipe out nearly all life on it. And if we do manage to destroy the planet, there's still a whole universe out there that doesn't give a damn. If that line of argumentation makes anyone not care, he's pretty much hopeless to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldsmithfan 6 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Damn. He was such a talented man. I know him primarily for his film work, but Eaters of the Dead was a fantastic read. He leaves yet another void in the world of art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Williamsfan301 11 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 No kidding. It's a way of marginalizing the dangers of climate change by saying, "well, at least the earth will survive." I don't care about the earth surviving, I care about people surviving.I care about that too. And that's exactly what I always assumed the Crichton text was about. I don't see anything marginalising about it. It's a simple fact that the planet will most likely survive anything we can do at this point, even if we wipe out nearly all life on it. And if we do manage to destroy the planet, there's still a whole universe out there that doesn't give a damn. If that line of argumentation makes anyone not care, he's pretty much hopeless to begin with.Agreed.I think some miss the point. The point is that we humans have an arrogance that we can control what the planet does - good or bad - and we can't. And what's more, we really don't have a good understanding of how this planet works since we only been on it for such a short time. This planet will do what it wants to do and its not going to worry about the effect it has on anything living on it. The most important line in that whole narrative is this - "...we only have the power to save ourselves"In anycase, we shouldn't be arguing the enviroment here. This is a good bye to Mr. Crichton - lets leave it at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melange 446 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 No kidding. It's a way of marginalizing the dangers of climate change by saying, "well, at least the earth will survive." I don't care about the earth surviving, I care about people surviving. Crichton's novels were often all about the folly of human arrogance and experimentation, so it's ironic that his personal views* put so much faith in humanity. * I'm also referring to the pseudo-scientific downplaying of global warming in State of Fear.Reading the words plainly, the words are simply just stating a fact that the earth will survive no matter what.If he had specifically related views on issues himself and in his novels, is irrelevant when it comes to the text.Because the JP text simply states a fact the earth will surive no matter what. And it will. 'We' may not. But it will. Whether any attacks on the planet are from humans or extremely gigantic objects from space crashing into it .That people on either the environmentalism side or opposite side may condemn or praise the text, is irrelevant (imo). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitch 57 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Yeah I hear that John Crichton guy is a real asshole. That's a rather slanderous remark to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry B 50 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 No kidding. It's a way of marginalizing the dangers of climate change by saying, "well, at least the earth will survive." I don't care about the earth surviving, I care about people surviving. Crichton's novels were often all about the folly of human arrogance and experimentation, so it's ironic that his personal views* put so much faith in humanity. * I'm also referring to the pseudo-scientific downplaying of global warming in State of Fear.Reading the words plainly, the words are simply just stating a fact that the earth will survive no matter what.If he had specifically related views on issues himself and in his novels, is irrelevant when it comes to the text.Because the JP text simply states a fact the earth will surive no matter what. And it will. 'We' may not. But it will. Whether any attacks on the planet are from humans or extremely gigantic objects from space crashing into it .That people on either the environmentalism side or opposite side may condemn or praise the text, is irrelevant (imo).Well, yeah, he does a good job refuting people who believe that we have the power to literally destroy the earth... which is nobody. The fact that the earth will survive is completely immaterial. Actually, it won't. Eventually the sun will collapse on itself and turn into a red dwarf, ending all life on earth. And when the sun becomes a black hole, the earth really will be destroyed. While it's interesting philosophically to think about the ultimate fate of the universe, it really has no bearing on our lives. Invoking the Big Picture is a poor excuse to not worry about current issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,306 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 At first this was me.Then a fella named Michael Crichton changed me into a different machine.I was 'updated' once again in the 1980's.Then they turned me into a human. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,087 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Well, yeah, he does a good job refuting people who believe that we have the power to literally destroy the earth... which is nobody.You must have missed the LHC comedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Some thoughts here.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc402 0 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I read about his passing wednesday evening RIPthe weird thing was that same day i went into a second hand book store for no reason to lok for an english laguage version of Jurasic park (i only had a translated copy on my shelf) and found and bought it, only to found out a few hours later he had died the same day once again rest in piece Michael! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUMENKOHL 1,068 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Awful news. May he rest in peace. But at the same time at least now we know less sh*t will line the book shelves every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrScratch 294 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I heard this being reported on a local radio station and they were playing the Island Fanfare from Jurassic Park during the blurb. It made it sound like great news that Crichton had passed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,790 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I heard this being reported on a local radio station and they were playing the Island Fanfare from Jurassic Park during the blurb. It made it sound like great news that Crichton had passed.they should have used remembering pettycoat lane, not the fanfaric music Blume you tastes amaze me everyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUMENKOHL 1,068 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Blume you tastes amaze me everyday.As do yours, for Crichton was the Hans Zimmer of literature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,790 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Blume you tastes amaze me everyday.As do yours, for Crichton was the Hans Zimmer of literature. sorry, he did not write several novels in a year, and definately did not have ghostwriters.there are more comercial and prolific authors out there.Not saying Crichton wasnt commercial, though comparing it to zimmer is madness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrScratch 294 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Crichton was the Hans Zimmer of literature.I reserve that title for James Patterson. Though if Dan Brown were more prolific I'd give it to him. Crichtons works have some merit, Patterson is pure pedestrian trash and lots of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,790 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 dan brown even qualifies for Zimmer scoresCrichton's was more in the vein Williams-Goldsmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Brausam 213 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I would never compare Crichton to Zimmer...that is such an insult really. He wrote intelligently and worked hard on his novels to become basically an expert in the subject he was writing about. He may have dumbed some things down for his readers and may have presented some views people may not agree with, and sometimes his novels had a very "popcorn" feel to them - but they were quality. The work and knowledge behind his novels is always evident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrScratch 294 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I would never compare Crichton to Zimmer...that is such an insult really. He wrote intelligently and worked hard on his novels to become basically an expert in the subject he was writing about. He may have dumbed some things down for his readers and may have presented some views people may not agree with, and sometimes his novels had a very "popcorn" feel to them - but they were quality. The work and knowledge behind his novels is always evident.I agree. Jurassic Park (the book) presents a timeless technology vs. nature debate wrapped up in an effective thriller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSM 120 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Life itself survived the massive Cretaceous extinction that eliminated the dinosaurs, that much is certain.But is that any consolation to the dinosaurs?Some day there will be some species that tries hard to get you back to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,790 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 but will they be organic? David and the supermecha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wojo 2,453 Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I am not sure it demanded its own thread, but the estate of Michael Crichton plans to release two of his novels posthumously:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090406/en_nm/us_crichton_novelsOne arrives in November and sounds thrilling, the other arrives late next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Good! It would be a shame if his last book was Next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QMM 4 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 you should say it's one full novel and one third of a novel to be completed with another author Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I'm not too worried about that. I don't really read Crichton novels for good writing. I read them because they're good stories. And as far as I can tell, the story is 100% Crichton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Something can have a good story but can be badly written. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Yeah, that was my point about Crichton. His writing isn't that great, but his stories are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Indeed, just like George Lucas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Interesting stories don't make up for a lack of good writing IMO. Take Life Of Pi for example. Really great story, but poorly executed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Of course good writing and good story is preferable, but I look to different authors for different things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg1138 3 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I wonder who they are going to get to complete the second novel....suggestions, people? Stephen King has a similar writing style and is a Crichton fan I believe, but not sure that he possesses Crichton's pounding feracity and pacing....I ws only thinking about this again today....and am re-reading "Prey" for the umpteenth time at the moment.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,087 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Something can have a good story but can be badly written.Angels and Demons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSM 120 Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 I wonder who they are going to get to complete the second novel....suggestions, people? Stephen King has a similar writing style and is a Crichton fan I believe, but not sure that he possesses Crichton's pounding feracity and pacing....I ws only thinking about this again today....and am re-reading "Prey" for the umpteenth time at the moment....Maybe Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child or Dan Brown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Williamsfan301 11 Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 Stephen King has a similar writing style and is a Crichton fan I believe...Yeah, but it will end with some demonic creature axe murdering everyone to death... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,087 Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 I've read several King stories and never once did that happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Williamsfan301 11 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 King has room to maneuver in his next book, then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Something can have a good story but can be badly written.Angels and Demonswrong. of all the Dan Brown books this one is fairly well written. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,087 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 The man can't write. A&D is thrilling as hell, but at times it reads like a well-done school essay. DVC is slightly better written than A&D, but of course it's only marginally exciting. Digital Fortress is on the same writing level as A&D, an excitement level somewhere between the two, and has some of the most absurd plot twists I've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeekUYoda 0 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I dunno. Digital Fortress was way more compelling for me than A&D, but still not as satisfying as any of Crichton's books. I read those two once each and called it good. I will admit to having read DVC more than once, but I was in a foreign country at the time and my reading material was limited. On the other hand, Sphere, Andromeda Strain, JP, etc., etc., I read, re-read, re-re-read.... Like LOTR, my copies are falling apart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,087 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Fortess was certainly entertaining, but every three pages he came up with another assumption about cryptography or plain simple math or computer basics that was so out there... I thought he couldn't top it anymore, but then the final chapters revolved around the supposed impossibility of space characters in passwords... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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