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jamesdanielhorn's review against another edition
4.0
Fun quick read. A bit stereotypical but still worth it.
remlezar's review
3.0
Fast, easy, fun, and masculine to a ludicrous degree. So, pretty much exactly what you want when you pick up a pulp novel to read over the summer break. It was cool getting to read a Michael Crichton book from before he was THE Michael Crichton. Kind of feels like watching batting practice at a major league ballgame, or showing up to the symphony early and hearing all the instruments get tuned up.
Something that did surprise me about this book that sets it apart from most other pulp novels: absolutely no sex. Not even the suggestion of any. Honestly, I'm not even sure who the naked lady on the cover of the book is supposed to be. There's really only one female character in the entire novel, and to say she's disposable would be putting it nicely. The book fails the Bechdel test miserably - not only do two women characters not talk to each other about something other than a man, but two women characters don't appear at all. There's only one, and she talks to some men... about another man.
Overall, though, you can't complain too much. Reading this book is like getting on a rickety old roller coaster at a traveling carnival. If you have a good time and the entire thing doesn't fall apart by the end, you're happy.
Something that did surprise me about this book that sets it apart from most other pulp novels: absolutely no sex. Not even the suggestion of any. Honestly, I'm not even sure who the naked lady on the cover of the book is supposed to be. There's really only one female character in the entire novel, and to say she's disposable would be putting it nicely. The book fails the Bechdel test miserably - not only do two women characters not talk to each other about something other than a man, but two women characters don't appear at all. There's only one, and she talks to some men... about another man.
Overall, though, you can't complain too much. Reading this book is like getting on a rickety old roller coaster at a traveling carnival. If you have a good time and the entire thing doesn't fall apart by the end, you're happy.
queencleo's review
2.0
The story of John Wright, who steals a biochemical weapon (in 2 parts) in an act of domestic terrorism against the 1972 republican convention in San Diego. This is against the backdrop of the fear of communism, poor US China relations, the Vietnam war and Nixon presidency.
It starts with a minor hacking drama (which threw me down a internet research rabbit hole of what networks and computers were like in 1972) but ends very rushed and a little confusing
I struggled not to get the boring white guys mixed up at the start, they all have names like Decker and Graves. In typical Crichton fashion everyone is addressed by their last name
It starts with a minor hacking drama (which threw me down a internet research rabbit hole of what networks and computers were like in 1972) but ends very rushed and a little confusing
I struggled not to get the boring white guys mixed up at the start, they all have names like Decker and Graves. In typical Crichton fashion everyone is addressed by their last name
ruyanda's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Stalking
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: War
jlfw0498's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
raptorimperator's review
4.0
A classic Michael Crichton thriller. This was the second book I read that he wrote under John Lange. I enjoyed it. Fast pace and filled with suspense. I found it an enjoyable read.
rees_aidan741's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
stacey332's review
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0