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dbradshaw's review against another edition
4.0
Exciting, quick read
Enjoyed this books when I first read it years ago and still holds up. At some points the technical aspects get a little confusing, but it might actually add to the ability of the book to not feel too dated technologically.
I would recommend for someone interested in the cross over of science, technology, and adventure.
Enjoyed this books when I first read it years ago and still holds up. At some points the technical aspects get a little confusing, but it might actually add to the ability of the book to not feel too dated technologically.
I would recommend for someone interested in the cross over of science, technology, and adventure.
impangs's review against another edition
3.0
I shamelessly enjoy much of Crichton's work. I don't worry about the accuracy of any aspect of these novels or how ridiculous the situations may be. This fits neatly into the category of books you read at the beach or on a plane over the course of a few hours. Simple, easy and purely pulp. Certainly not Crichton's best effort (and the movie was absolutely horrid), but it had all the usual elements of a Crichton "thriller". Either these books entertain you or they don't.
jlink17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
dunningsk's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.25
Crichton at his best.
banjo_hammer's review against another edition
Lost interest and decided to read other stuff. Reads like most other Crichton books I've tried, where the plot is interesting but the characters are meh.
tashenone's review against another edition
4.0
Another Classic Techno-thriller
A techno thriller that only Crichton could deliver. As the father of the genre, he once again transports you to the near-future (at least at the time) and speculates on the eternal question of “what’s next in tech?” True to his own style made famous by Jurassic Park, he masterfully juxtaposes emerging technology with the ancient past, this time in the form of the jungle and the unknown creatures who dwell within. However, as with most of his works, the ending comes too suddenly after one too many lengthy explanations of how things work, leaving you wishing for more thrill and less lecture. Still, the unique combination of these elements is certainly worthy of merit and praise nonetheless, especially for the time of publication.
A techno thriller that only Crichton could deliver. As the father of the genre, he once again transports you to the near-future (at least at the time) and speculates on the eternal question of “what’s next in tech?” True to his own style made famous by Jurassic Park, he masterfully juxtaposes emerging technology with the ancient past, this time in the form of the jungle and the unknown creatures who dwell within. However, as with most of his works, the ending comes too suddenly after one too many lengthy explanations of how things work, leaving you wishing for more thrill and less lecture. Still, the unique combination of these elements is certainly worthy of merit and praise nonetheless, especially for the time of publication.
jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
The first third-half of this book was really good. I liked Amy the gorilla and the studying of their dreams, teaching them sign language. As they got into the Congo and started going through the rainforest my interest started wanning and it really should’ve made me more interested. by the end I just didn’t care anymore. It reminded me of my feelings with sphere.
fugater096's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
This is the third Crichton book that I’ve read. I went in with high hopes, because both Prey and Jurassic Park were good, tense, thought provoking reads that mixed the thriller and sci-fi genres perfectly. Sadly, Congo was not at that same level. This book never gripped me, and I really never cared about what was happening in the story. The characters did nothing for me, sci-fi elements were were weak, and the plot was kind of boring. It just wasn’t a book I loved, but I will still be reading more Michael Crichton in the future.
graciesmom's review against another edition
2.0
I love Crichtons books based on their unusual topics. But this was just dumb dumb dumb.
midici's review against another edition
3.0
This was an entertaining, fairly typical Crichton book. Set in 1979 Congo provides intricate meticulous details of what used to be state of the art technology, African politics and animal behavioural studies. There was a bit of plot in there too. A bit.
Once you get over the ridiculousness of the idea that anyone would try to drag a gorilla with them on a time sensitive trip involving mercenaries, corporate espionage and cannibals it's an interesting read. It was like an Indian Jones race, with everyone needing to find the lost city first and to survive the unknown guards protecting the city! I knew right from the start these guards would be some sort of gorilla but I still enjoyed the reveal. Gorillas are one of the smartest of animals. While it's less likely you could train them to attack the way police dogs do, it is true that learned behaviours get passed down in tribes from adults to humans. The attempts to communicate with these creatures were realistically frustration, especially after the characters spend the entire book signing with Amy and dealing with translating her unique perspective into useful information for humans. The idea that the species would develop its own language is also interesting, and partially based on fact. Dolphins are known to give each other "names," distinctive sounds that the entire pod knows each individual by, for example.
What I didn't quite understand why it was so important their group found the diamonds first, as they stayed in the locale once it was found for days without interruption and apparently without finishing everything they needed to do... The main problem, as with most Crichton books, is that I don't particularly care about the characters, and the plot ends without any resolution - nothing changes for the main characters, nothing about their Congo adventure has a tangible consequence.
Once you get over the ridiculousness of the idea that anyone would try to drag a gorilla with them on a time sensitive trip involving mercenaries, corporate espionage and cannibals it's an interesting read. It was like an Indian Jones race, with everyone needing to find the lost city first and to survive the unknown guards protecting the city! I knew right from the start these guards would be some sort of gorilla but I still enjoyed the reveal. Gorillas are one of the smartest of animals. While it's less likely you could train them to attack the way police dogs do, it is true that learned behaviours get passed down in tribes from adults to humans. The attempts to communicate with these creatures were realistically frustration, especially after the characters spend the entire book signing with Amy and dealing with translating her unique perspective into useful information for humans. The idea that the species would develop its own language is also interesting, and partially based on fact. Dolphins are known to give each other "names," distinctive sounds that the entire pod knows each individual by, for example.
What I didn't quite understand why it was so important their group found the diamonds first, as they stayed in the locale once it was found for days without interruption and apparently without finishing everything they needed to do... The main problem, as with most Crichton books, is that I don't particularly care about the characters, and the plot ends without any resolution - nothing changes for the main characters, nothing about their Congo adventure has a tangible consequence.