Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
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Jurassic Park
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Crichton, Michael ; Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park #1) - Informal Buddy read:Start date December 10, 2014
I've heard that it's really good. I need it for my A-Z challenge this year and a few people have told me to read it because they loved it.
I read this book years ago after seeing the movie and absolutely loved it. There is so much detail in it. I can't wait to see what others say.
I kind of want to read this but not sure about for the buddy read. I'll keep it in mind, especially as people start to discuss the story.
Only one more week to go! Just posting a reminder so I can find the thread. :) I'll try to post again either on the 9th or 10th.
Introduction
I liked the intro as it gives an insight into the inspiration for the author, and also something to consider as reading. The author is basically explaining that this really isn't that far from reality. Although the book is now getting onto 25 years old and it hasn't come to pass, I guess it still isn't outside of the realms of possibility.
I liked the intro as it gives an insight into the inspiration for the author, and also something to consider as reading. The author is basically explaining that this really isn't that far from reality. Although the book is now getting onto 25 years old and it hasn't come to pass, I guess it still isn't outside of the realms of possibility.
Chapters "Prologue: The Bite of the Raptor" - "Skeleton"
There are so many characters across the different parts of the storyline that I think I'm going to have to use wiki for help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
(view spoiler)
The book is different to the start of the movie according to my memory (which no doubt could be wrong) as in my mind the movie started with them visiting Jurassic Park. No matter, I'm enjoying the book so far, I'm just a little confused with so many characters so I went away from the audio and to the kindle for a little bit and I'll try the audio again soon
There are so many characters across the different parts of the storyline that I think I'm going to have to use wiki for help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
(view spoiler)
The book is different to the start of the movie according to my memory (which no doubt could be wrong) as in my mind the movie started with them visiting Jurassic Park. No matter, I'm enjoying the book so far, I'm just a little confused with so many characters so I went away from the audio and to the kindle for a little bit and I'll try the audio again soon
It is very different from the movie. From the beginning of the movie, you knew there were dinosaurs. In the book, you have to wait a few chapters. I don't care for all the POVs. Too many jumps.
I skimmed through it first and it reminds me a bit of Next which we read awhile back as a BOM. The random scientific notations.
Yes Ashley, there are quite a few jumps. I find when books do this you really have to read the book in big blocks to try and get your mind around everything
I've only read about the first 30 pages. It is different from the book insofar as there are more characters and more set up / background info in the island. I like it so far. I believe the movie starts with a worker being killed by a raptor and a girl getting attacked on the beach. Then, they start introducing the main characters at the excavation site.
I'm hoping to read a bit more tomorrow. I've had a migraine for the past few says, so I didn't get as far as I'd hoped.
Chapters "Skeleton" - "Breeding Sites"
I'm finding reading this book it is full of social commentary. Whereas when I watched the movies as a teenager I just thought it was all an awesome idea - have an amusement park with dinosaurs! cool! - and then things go wrong.
So I'm not sure if it is the difference between the book and the movie.. or my age... or both!
This is not my usual type of book, but I'm glad to be reading it. Will hopefully finish over the next day
I'm finding reading this book it is full of social commentary. Whereas when I watched the movies as a teenager I just thought it was all an awesome idea - have an amusement park with dinosaurs! cool! - and then things go wrong.
So I'm not sure if it is the difference between the book and the movie.. or my age... or both!
This is not my usual type of book, but I'm glad to be reading it. Will hopefully finish over the next day
I'm not sure I ever watched the entire movie. I can remember walking through the room when my daughter had it on, but I'm fairly sure I never sat through it.I haven't read very far, just up to the scientists getting to the park. I think it's about to get reaaally interesting!
I'm at the part where the consultants are invited to the island. I don't know how relevant everything up to this was, because it seems to just be getting good.
The End
Overall thoughts are that I like the concept of the book as it takes a current scientific practice (biotechnology) and then develops a way that it could be abused in order to try and highlight the lack of regulation and "watch dogs" there are in our world around this today. It is an interesting way to get your opinions (protest?) out there to the world.
I think the POVs did switch around a bit too much, but otherwise the writing was good and the story interesting. I didn't "love" the book, but I can appreciate it.
Overall thoughts are that I like the concept of the book as it takes a current scientific practice (biotechnology) and then develops a way that it could be abused in order to try and highlight the lack of regulation and "watch dogs" there are in our world around this today. It is an interesting way to get your opinions (protest?) out there to the world.
I think the POVs did switch around a bit too much, but otherwise the writing was good and the story interesting. I didn't "love" the book, but I can appreciate it.
I'm not to the end yet, but I've formed a fairly solid opinion of the book. I don't mind the switching POVs, because they're clearly labeled. The detailed sciency part is broken up with action. A good thriller.I've picked up some thrillers written 25 years ago and found them fairly dated. I don't this this book is very dated. I'm sure to computer scientists, physicists, and genetic researchers it may seem that way, but for most of us civilians the discussion of biotechnology and ethical implications is just as relevant today.
I've read that Jurassic Park is considered Crichton's 'signature novel'. That's interesting to me, because I always think first of The Andromeda Strain. I love that book.
Lol Kristie
Yes Cynthia I agree the novel isn't very dated which is impressive for almost 25 years later
Yes Cynthia I agree the novel isn't very dated which is impressive for almost 25 years later
Karen wrote: "Good point about penicillin Kelly.[spoilers removed]"
I suppose this book was written in 1990.
I've finished it and I did enjoy it. I'm not sure I'll read the follow up, The Lost World, but I am considering it. I hate knowing there's a sequel and I haven't given it a shot!I have to say that my feelings about Lex remained the same throughout the entire book. By the end, I was silently pleading for Tim to knock her out. (view spoiler) If she's in the next book, it's most definitely a no go.
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I don't think marketing the mini-dinos would be responsible, either but it would be profitable. Unfortunately, it seems that the people most likely to have animals that take a lot of responsibility are also the people least likely to take that responsibility seriously.
Cynthia wrote: "I don't think marketing the mini-dinos would be responsible, either but it would be profitable. Unfortunately, it seems that the people most likely to have animals that take a lot of responsibility..."We visited Missouri on vacation near Thanksgiving this year and visited a big cat sanctuary. Apparently, until 2012 you could own a big cat there with no license at all. At least now you have to have a license but they said it's harder to own a squirrel than a lion due to who regulates it. Just imagine if people could have dinosaurs. There'd have to be dinosaur rescues.
I know. We had a couple of months here where there were 3 pit bull bites of small kids. A lot of people were calling for breed bans. I said that would be great if you could identify the idiots ahead of time and keep them from breeding, but sadly you can't.It would be like that with dinosaurs. People would have 2 or 3 unneutered mini-T. rex's in a 1 bedroom apt, leave the baby alone with them while 1 is in heat, and cry tragedy.
Kristie wrote: "Is anyone else reading this? I know we had quite a few people that were interested early on."I'm still reading it.
I saw that, Kelly! I was just curious because I noticed that there were about 7 other people thinking about it early on, but looks like they may have decided not to join. I think it's just the two of us for now, as Cynthia and Karen have finished. Off to read now!
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Book Synopsis:
On a remote jungle island, genetic engineers have created a dinosaur game park.
An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now one of mankind's most thrilling fantasies has come true and the first dinosaurs that the Earth has seen in the time of man emerge.
But, as always, there is a dark side to the fantasy and after a catastrophe destroys the park's defense systems, the scientists and tourists are left fighting for survival...