Scan barcode
schuster_s's review against another edition
4.0
Saw some comments that called this book racist, but honestly I think this novel has a truth to it that some people find offensive. If you don’t want to hear negativity about America and Japan, then don’t read it. There are positives and negatives to every culture and country.
This story was exciting, fast paced, and always changing. I could have never guessed the ending (classic Crichton). I had put it off because of other comments, but I wish I had read it sooner.
This story was exciting, fast paced, and always changing. I could have never guessed the ending (classic Crichton). I had put it off because of other comments, but I wish I had read it sooner.
emerygirl's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book in high-school. I remembered liking it, but don't really remember what it is about. However, I do remember how fascinated I was with the cover picture, the lady wrapped up in the Japanese flag.
torfinn's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a bit torn when it comes to rating the book. It's a solid thriller. The premise is fine, the twists are fine, the ending is fine.
However, the problem is the criticism of the Japanese culture. It's just too much. The basic structure of the book is: story, rant about the Japanese culture, story, rant about the Japanese culture. I get the point Crichton was trying to make and if the criticism is legitimate, it would be fine... but it seriously hinders the plot to some degree. The book could've done with 100 pages less. And that's a shame.
However, the problem is the criticism of the Japanese culture. It's just too much. The basic structure of the book is: story, rant about the Japanese culture, story, rant about the Japanese culture. I get the point Crichton was trying to make and if the criticism is legitimate, it would be fine... but it seriously hinders the plot to some degree. The book could've done with 100 pages less. And that's a shame.
rivergrid's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
russyeo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lmmountford's review against another edition
3.0
So, can Crichton write a novel without a very heavy undertone?
I like the movie that was based off this, Conery and Snipes are very entertaining together and the dialogue is hilarious at times, there is some action but nothing gratuitous though i have a little trouble at times following what's happening. At least in that, this book and the movie have something in common. More than once i found myself scratching my head and mouthing 'what the hell is going on'. The book has a very confusing layout that is undone by Crichton's style, the simple way of putting this is the entire movie is Smith's transcript in an interrogation. It's told from the first person but it also has Crichton's signature mass of technical details that are very well researched but can be difficult for a layman to understand out the hell is going on.
This is the fifth Crichton novel i've read and honestly, i think this will be the last. This had all the elements that mad me give up on Disclosure. There is such a heavy undertone, namely the entire world is going on abut it, that it makes it impossible to believe. Everything in this book is abut the Japanese , everyone is talking abut them, everyone is dealing with them or has thoughts on them. Crichton is trying so hard to get a point across i just got sick of hearing about it. Also, the characters lack a lot of believability. For example if my actions caused a man to commit suicide and then i found out i had it wrong, i might feel a tad guilty.
To sum up, an interesting read but nothing really left an impression. If you're looking for a fast paced thrill ride, stay away.
I like the movie that was based off this, Conery and Snipes are very entertaining together and the dialogue is hilarious at times, there is some action but nothing gratuitous though i have a little trouble at times following what's happening. At least in that, this book and the movie have something in common. More than once i found myself scratching my head and mouthing 'what the hell is going on'. The book has a very confusing layout that is undone by Crichton's style, the simple way of putting this is the entire movie is Smith's transcript in an interrogation. It's told from the first person but it also has Crichton's signature mass of technical details that are very well researched but can be difficult for a layman to understand out the hell is going on.
This is the fifth Crichton novel i've read and honestly, i think this will be the last. This had all the elements that mad me give up on Disclosure. There is such a heavy undertone, namely the entire world is going on abut it, that it makes it impossible to believe. Everything in this book is abut the Japanese , everyone is talking abut them, everyone is dealing with them or has thoughts on them. Crichton is trying so hard to get a point across i just got sick of hearing about it. Also, the characters lack a lot of believability. For example if my actions caused a man to commit suicide and then i found out i had it wrong, i might feel a tad guilty.
To sum up, an interesting read but nothing really left an impression. If you're looking for a fast paced thrill ride, stay away.
hannschwarz's review against another edition
3.0
A very thrilling read!
Very engaging language, a good page-turner with a lot of twists.
Often too dramatic/racist towards the Japanese but it gives a good insight into the time in which it was written and the overall American mood towards Japan(1957).
Nevertheless, it was a bit repetitive with a lot of driving around LA and the main character was too boring.
3/5
Very engaging language, a good page-turner with a lot of twists.
Often too dramatic/racist towards the Japanese but it gives a good insight into the time in which it was written and the overall American mood towards Japan(1957).
Nevertheless, it was a bit repetitive with a lot of driving around LA and the main character was too boring.
3/5