Reviews

I liked this book. Mr. Lange shows that you don't need to have over the top dramatics or lots of violence to produce a good book. Although, I did feel like the intensity level was only turned half way. There could have been a bit of a bigger punch. However, considering the time period when this book was written, it is appropriate for that time period.

Dr. Clark shows that curiosity can almost kill the cat. He found himself in over his head. The scariest thing about this book is the experiments that were taking place on the island. What with all of the "fad" diets and such that people are joining; I can see some people signing up to be part of the experiment. Drug of Choice is worth your choice for something to read.

burritapal_1's review

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dark medium-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

2.0

This is rather a silly book. Dr Roger Clark( two first names! ) is a night resident in a hospital in Santa Monica california. One night a Hell's Angel comes in, and the staff believes he's in a coma, because he won't awake. Though he was in a motorcycle accident, he has no sign of injury. The next day, he wakes up and says that he feels great.

The same thing happens to a movie star: she comes in and the staff believes she's in a coma, but she just wakes up the next day feeling great.

This is the beginning of a mystery that Dr Roger Clark pursues the answer to, and it involves him serving as a slave to a drug company who plan to take over the world using a drug. This drug, when taken, and someone bangs a tuning fork, makes the person believe any suggestion that you care to make is really happening. The opposite drug has also been developed: if it is taken and a tuning fork is thronged, any bad suggestion will make the world inside your head a living nightmare. So you definitely don't want to get on the wrong side of this drug company, as Roger Clark finds out. Oh yes, this drug turns your urine blue for a short while.

" 'precisely. A most useful drug. You see, doctor, we are engaged in a kind of experiment here, an experiment in perception. We know, indeed everybody knows, that perception is altered by mental state. You may dine in the finest restaurant in the world, and eat the most superb food, but if you are in a bad mood, if your business has just gone bankrupt, if your wife has just left you, then this delicious, excellent food will taste like sawdust. And conversely: a ghastly meal in A tawdry restaurant may seem like a king's banquet if your mental state is disposed to make it so.'

'I don't see what all this--'

'all this,' LeFevre said, waving his hand around, "all this is a kind of extreme experiment. We assume that mental state colors our experience irrespective of objective reality. Normally, one must control experience in an attempt to produce the correct mental state -- to be happy, healthy, and carefree, one must spend vast sums to go to some Resort where your whims are realized. But suppose that the mental state could be controlled independent of experience? Eh? What then?' "

2 stars for effort from a very young Michael Crichton.

lisakate1126's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

meekumoh's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense 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

3.0

Crichton writes wonderful sci-fi but handles characters like they're lego people. I think this was an intriguing premise that he lays out in a simple, clear manner. I have to say, however, that other than the premise, there's not much you'll remember of this story.

panelparty's review against another edition

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5.0

Read for the "Book with an Ugly Cover" prompt of the Popsugar Reading Challenge, as well as my quest to read/re-read every Michael Crichton book by the end of 2020.

I know a lot of people rag on these "Med School Years" books by Crichton, but I really enjoyed this! I felt like there were enough twists and turns to keep my interest, and it was an extremely quick read. In the ebook of this there were a few editing mistakes/typos, but nothing too egregious. I was dreading reading this because many of the reviews were so negative, but now I can't wait to crack into the rest of them.

Crichton Books Read: 1/28

natalie001's review against another edition

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mysterious tense 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

2.0

chaz21's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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