Micro: A Novel

( 237 )

Overview

In a locked Honolulu office building, three men are found dead, covered in ultrafine, razor-sharp cuts. The only clue left behind is a tiny bladed robot.

In the lush forests of Oahu, trillions of microorganisms are being discovered, feeding a search for priceless drugs.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, seven graduate students are recruited by a microbiology start-up and dispatched to a mysterious lab in Hawaii. ...

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Micro: A Novel

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More About This Book

Overview

In a locked Honolulu office building, three men are found dead, covered in ultrafine, razor-sharp cuts. The only clue left behind is a tiny bladed robot.

In the lush forests of Oahu, trillions of microorganisms are being discovered, feeding a search for priceless drugs.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, seven graduate students are recruited by a microbiology start-up and dispatched to a mysterious lab in Hawaii. There they are promised access to tools that will open a whole new scientific frontier.

But once in the rain forest, the scientists are thrust into a hostile wilderness where they find themselves prey to a technology of radical and unbridled power. To survive, they must harness the inherent forces of nature itself.

An instant classic, Micro pits nature against technology in vintage Crichton fashion.

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton's 1990 thriller, snared a triple triumph: it was a coast-to-coast number bestseller, earned stellar reviews, and inspired a film classic. When Crichton died in November 2008, he left behind a manuscript of another high adventure thriller that blends cutting-edge science with almost unrelenting suspense. Now completed by seasoned author Richard Preston (The Hot Zone), this thrilling novel traces the story of a group of biotech grad students stranded in the Hawaiian rainforest with only their wits to save them. Unputdownable. Now in mass-market paperback and NOOK Book.

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780062227188
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 2/5/2013
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 429
  • Sales rank: 122,022
  • Product dimensions: 5.20 (w) x 7.90 (h) x 0.90 (d)

Meet the Author

Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton has sold over 200 million books, which have been translated into thirty-eight languages; thirteen of his books have been made into films. Also known as a filmmaker and the creator of ER, he remains the only writer to have had the number one book, movie, and TV show simultaneously. At the time of his death in 2008, Crichton was well into the writing of Micro; Richard Preston was selected to complete the novel.

Richard Preston is the internationally bestselling author of eight books, including The Hot Zone and The Wild Trees. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker. He lives with his wife and three children near Princeton, New Jersey.

Michael Crichton has sold over 200 million books, which have been translated into thirty-eight languages; thirteen of his books have been made into films. Also known as a filmmaker and the creator of ER, he remains the only writer to have had the number one book, movie, and TV show simultaneously. At the time of his death in 2008, Crichton was well into the writing of Micro; Richard Preston was selected to complete the novel.

Richard Preston is the internationally bestselling author of eight books, including The Hot Zone and The Wild Trees. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker. He lives with his wife and three children near Princeton, New Jersey.

Biography

Michael Crichton's oeuvre is so vivid and varied that it hard to believe everything sprang from the mind of a single writer. There's the dino-movie franchise and merchandising behemoth Jurassic Park; the long-running, top-rated TV series ER, which Crichton created; and sci-fi tales so cinematic a few were filmed more than once. He's even had a dinosaur named after him.

Ironically, for someone who is credited with selling over 150 million books, Crichton initially avoided writing because he didn't think he would make a living at it. So he turned to medical school instead, graduating with an M.D. from Harvard in 1969. The budding doctor had already written one award-winning novel pseudonymically (1968's A Case of Need) to help pay the bills through school; but when The Andromeda Strain came out in the same year of his med school graduation, Crichton's new career path became obvious.

The Andromeda Strain brilliantly and convincingly sets out an American scientific crisis in the form of a deadly epidemic. Its tone -- both critical of and sympathetic toward the scientific community -- set a precedent for Crichton works to come. A 1970 nonfiction work, Five Patients offers the same tone in a very different form, that being an inside look at a hospital.

Crichton's works were inspired by a remarkably curious mind. His plots often explored scientific issues -- but not always. Some of his most compelling thrillers were set against the backdrop of global trade relations (Rising Sun), corporate treachery (Disclosure) and good old-fashioned Victorian-era theft (The Great Train Robbery). The author never shied away from challenging topics, but it's obvious from his phenomenal sales that he never waxed pedantic. Writing about Prey, Crichton's cautionary tale of nanotech gone awry, The New York Times Book Review put it this way: "You're entertained on one level and you learn something on another."

On the page, Crichton's storytelling was eerily nonfictional in style. His journalistic, almost professorial, and usually third-person narration lent an air of credibility to his often disturbing tales -- in The Andromeda Strain, he went so far as to provide a fake bibliography. Along the way, he revelled in flouting basic, often subconscious assumptions: Dinosaurs are long-gone; women are workplace victims, not predators; computers are, by and large, predictable machines.

The dazzling diversity of Crichton's interests and talents became ever more evident as the years progressed. In addition to penning bestselling novels, he wrote screenplays and a travel memoir, directed several movies, created Academy Award-winning movie production software, and testified before Congress about the science of global warming -- this last as a result of his controversial 2004 eco-thriller State of Fear, a novel that reflected Crichton's own skepticism about the true nature of climate change. His views on the subject were severely criticized by leading environmentalists.

On November 4, 2008, Michael Crichton died, following a long battle against cancer. Beloved by millions of readers, his techno-thrillers and science-inflected cautionary tales remain perennial bestsellers and have spawned a literary genre all its own.

Good To Know

Some interesting outtakes from our 2005 interview with Crichton:

"I'm very interested in 20th-century American art."

"I have always been interested in movies and television as well as books. I see all these as media for storytelling, and I don't discriminate among them. At some periods of my life I preferred to work on movies, and at others I preferred books."

"In the early 1990s, interviewers began calling me ‘the father of the techno-thriller.' Nobody ever had before. Finally I began asking the interviewers, ‘Why do you call me that?' They said, ‘Because Tom Clancy says you are the father of the techno-thriller.' So I called Tom up and said, ‘Listen, thank you, but I'm not the father of the techno-thriller.' He said, ‘Yes you are.' I said, ‘No, I'm not, before me there were thrillers like Failsafe and Seven Days in May and The Manchurian Candidate that were techno-thrillers.' He said, ‘No, those are all political. You're the father of the techno-thriller.' And there it ended."

"My favorite recreation is to hike in the wilderness. I am fond of Hawaii."

"I used to scuba dive a lot, but haven't lately. For a time I liked to photograph sharks but like anything else, the thrill wears off. Earlier in my life I took serious risks, but I stopped when I became a parent."

"I taught myself to cook by following Indian and Szechuan recipes. They each have about 20 ingredients. I used to grind my own spices, I was really into it. Now I don't have much time to cook anymore. When I do, I cook Italian food."

"I read almost exclusively nonfiction. Most times I am researching some topic, which may or may not lead to a book. So my reading is pretty focused, although the focus can shift quickly."

"I have always been interested in whatever is missing or excluded from conventional thought. As a result I am drawn to writers who are out of fashion, bypassed, irritating, difficult, or excessive. I also like the disreputable works of famous writers. Thus I end up reading and liking Paul Feyerabend (Against Method), G. K. Chesterton (Orthodoxy, What's Wrong with the World), John Stuart Mill, Hemingway (Garden of Eden), Nietzsche, Machiavelli, Alain Finkielkraut (Defeat of the Mind), Anton Ehrenzweig (Hidden Order of Art), Arthur Koestler (Midwife Toad, Beyond Reductionism), Ian McHarg (Design with Nature), Marguerite Duras, Jung, late James M. Cain (Serenade), Paul Campos.

"Because I get up so early to work, I tend to go to bed early, around 10 or 11. So I don't go out much. I suppose I am borderline reclusive. I don't care."

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    1. Also Known As:
      John Michael Crichton (full name), Jeffery Hudson, John Lange
    2. Hometown:
      Los Angeles, California
    1. Date of Birth:
      October 23, 1942
    2. Place of Birth:
      Chicago, Illinois
    1. Date of Death:
      November 4, 2008
    2. Place of Death:
      Los Angeles, California

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 237 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(60)

4 Star

(70)

3 Star

(40)

2 Star

(30)

1 Star

(37)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 237 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 14, 2011

    A 'Micro' version of a real novel

    I have never been prompted to write a review before, but I wanted to warn other Crichton fans (and ANY reader of the genre in general) that this is one ridiculous stinker of a book.

    Starts off OK, but once the whole premise (and subsequent ripping-off of 'Fantastic Voyage') commences, it goes into the area of juvenile college boys 'n girls adventure & cliches, nefarious corporate evil-doers, and reads more like an episode of the late 1970's cartoon 'Josie and the Pussycats' (I was going to use 'Scooby Doo, where are you?', but that would be too generous).

    Don't waste your time or your money on this one.

    19 out of 31 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 10, 2011

    Ok but not all Crichton

    Book was pitched as an unfinished manuscript when Chrichton died in '08, to be completed by another author.
    I wont bash the author since it has to be hard to complete a story begun by someone else. Ive read everything by Chrichton, and his voice is missing from this one. I think it got lost in the rewrites. Another book that Chrichton started before he died was Pirate Latitudes, and his voice survived the completion.
    Funny that someone said it felt like a nasty version of Honey, I shrunk the kids, because I had the same reaction.
    I really felt they jumped the shark on this one and ended up way out there. Chrichton always spun a high tech thriller that just walked the line making you say " just maybe...". This one was so far fetched it was just plain sci-fi. The only chracter I enjoyed was the Hawiian Detective who I pictured as Graham Green (yes i know hes american indian). I had trouble caring about anyone else. There were characters that were like extras, only there to be killed off, like a slasher flick.
    Im glad i didnt have to buy the hardcover to not like it. It just didnt work for me.

    12 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 11, 2012

    I don't understand the bad reviews?

    I almost didn't give this book a try because of all of the bad reviews it has...but I certainly am glad that I did. I guess every well-known author has pretentious followers, haha.
    I read the book very quickly and loved every page!

    I think if the premise sounds interesting to you, you should definitely give it a shot.

    loved it!

    8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 16, 2011

    Bad bad bad

    Stupid waste of time and money

    7 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 8, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    The last hurrah?

    This is the second "last" book by Michael Crichton, his first was "Pirate Latitudes" published in 2009. This novel was finished by Richard Preston after Crichton's death in 2008. The addition of a new author made me wary, but I had no reason to be trepidatious. This feels like classic Michael Crichton. High-tech science is misused, lives are endangered, page-turning excitement ensues.

    I love Michael Crichton's style - I can devour his books like no other, this is no exception. Not sure how much of this is Preston's work - it blends seamlessly with Crichton's. Astounding really. I plan on checking out more books by Richard Preston in the future.

    If you're looking for an entry point, this is as fine a place to start as any; although my favorites are still: "The Andromeda Strain", "Airframe", "Timeline", and of course both "Jurassic Park" books. Fans of Michael Crichton know what to expect and should jump right in, don't bother reading the synopsis on the dust jacket, it gets a little too close to giving away plot points.

    This book would make a fine movie (also: expensive) and the ending certainly makes me hope for more. Perhaps Preston can pick up the mantle? I don't know how many more half-finished stories or ideas Michael Crichton has left behind, but if this really is the last, it's worthy of his name.

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 13, 2011

    The dark side of the nano-tech

    Michael Crichton was always one step ahead. He was our Jules Verne and HG Wells. I'm glad they finished it for him and don't complain, it's hard to finish up what someone else started. The book is entertaining and educating and will make a GREAT MOVIE.

    5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted November 23, 2011

    not so good

    Plot is the same with some of the books I have read though the characters are okay, some of the twists are not connected with the story.

    3 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 18, 2013

    Loved it!

    The way it ended tho;sequel?

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 8, 2012

    Another Classic

    Although I was skeptical about the topic, I believe this book was one of M.C.'s best. Only he could take the paradise of Oahu and turn it into a biological nightmare. This book belongs among the ranks of Timeline, Andromeda Strain and Next. This book is a definite must read.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 30, 2011

    Amusinggly Amusingly awful

    This was really SO bad that it became funny... character reaction to death...horror..unbelievable events...pretty much lets talk about high school biology...

    2 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 27, 2011

    Disappointed

    Starts off promising and then just gets silly.

    2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 16, 2013

    Terrible. Why would I want to read a rehashed novel (lose term)

    Terrible. Why would I want to read a rehashed novel (lose term) of a movie made in the 80's with Rick Moranis? So bad I started skipping sections of text 300 pages in and ultimately stopped reading. The plot is boring and unoriginal, the characters never get developed beyond the obvious opposites attract love interest. He should be charged with plagiarism. Or you could call is sampling. Watch out for those ants...

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 31, 2013

    Don't waste your time.

    This book was so poorly written that it was almost painful to read. It is so empty, predictable and boring. The characters are plain and stereotyped. There is no emotion ANYWHERE to be found. You will feel no attachment to any of the characters. Ugh. Please trust me - you will not enjoy this book!
    Wish I didn't have to give it one star in order to post my review - it's not worthy of even one.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 19, 2013

    Stopped reading half way through

    Not my favorite. Even though it had some interesting tidbits abut how we look to insect and plant life when we are smaller than them, to me it was like reading a version of " honey I shrunk the kids" lost interest in the book.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 10, 2012

    Not up to par

    This book did not read like a crichton book. With nearly every other one of his books i get to the end of the book and i will look up the scientific theories used in the book. Here it just felt like they made some crap up and put it in a book. When i normally read Crichton i can tell it was done by someone with knowledge on the subject and some research had been done. This was just sloppy.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 9, 2012

    Betcha Crichton had this one shelved for years

    I've decided to set this book aside permanently. I wondered if it was just me, but saw the dozens of reviewers with the same observation I had - this book stinks. The premise is too unbelievable, and I strongly suspect it's 95% _not_ by Crichton. I will hazard a guess that this was a one chapter sketch Crichton rejected years ago.

    1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 1, 2012

    An amazing adventure!

    .

    1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 25, 2011

    Phill

    I like phill

    1 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 16, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Good beginning, then boring

    Lots of good premises at beginning that were not expanded on or taken advantage of. Some fun facts about insects etc., but mostly unsuspenseful and unthrilling. Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Not a real Crichton book. Couldn't wait to finish it and get on to my next read.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 13, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    The most enjoyable Crichton novel since Prey

    Micro is the most enjoyable Crichton novel since Prey. I was very happy to read the introduction Michael Crichton wrote, even if it was unfinished. I always wished he wrote more nonfiction. By the end of Micro, I knew I wasn¿t reading a Michael Crichton novel anymore. But I was enthralled by the story, and didn¿t care. (How I knew I wasn¿t reading a Michael Crichton novel is a discussion I¿ll save for another time and place.) The novel has been compared to Jurassic Park, even by Michael Crichton. But Micro is far more reminiscent of Timeline than of Jurassic Park or Prey. Micro is like a ship that changes direction so gently that you don¿t notice. Then dawn comes and the sun rises in a different spot than expected. You can grip about the change or you can enjoy the sunrise. Richard Preston took over as captain of Micro after Michael Crichton died. As the new captain, he had to sail the ship as best he could, using the former captain¿s log to navigate. Captain Preston gave the passengers a pleasantly exciting voyage, and then brought the ship safely into harbor. What more could one ask?

    1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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