Next by Michael Crichton - book review

This is one of many Michael Crichton books that I have read, so I am accustomed to his writing style. However, this book was a little more confusing than most of his previous work, due to the multiple storylines - which do all pretty much overlap. However, with so many characters, there is little character development, and it can be had to remember each character’s relationship and storyline.

The subject matter follows a dark world of science á la Prey, Jurassic Park, Andromeda Strain, etc. It is the story of what happens next in the world of genetic experimentation. Crichton’s ultimate view is that genetic testing is a positive thing, but it needs better regulation and that laws and patenting in the USA need to be revised to cater for it. This is as would be expected from a Liberal (and also liberal) mind, in a Republican/Conservative society. Crichton ackwowledges the morality issues, but postulates that they will gradually disipate.

The actual story follows a talking orangutan, a talking parrot, a man who inadvertantly kills his brother with a genetic virus, a woman and her son who are being chased for their cells, and a host of other characters. There’s probably too many threads, and they keep swapping from short chapter to short chapter. For Crichton, there is a slight lack of narrative too - no real background into the science.

The book has a number of good and bad guys. Though, there is a blur as to who’s who. Someone who is good in one thread of the story line, may be bad in another. Though there’s only a couple of characters of this type. Ultimately, the story’s ending is a little flat, and I developed little emotion. I actually felt bad for the bounty hunter.

Despite the criticisms, I would suggest the book is a worthy read (but less worthy than most Crichton books). I am giving it a 6 out of 10.