Jurrasic Park

Calvin1093 · #1 11-28-2011, 03:31 PM

Would you say that Jurrasic Park is a "great" novel? I think so. But almost everyone I've ever talked to thought it was terrible, and an insult to literature. Although this is only my opinion, I think it was the greatest work of fiction I've ever read. ever. It was exciting, kept me on the edge of my seat, and intellectually stimulating. However, that's just my personal taste. But what do you guys think? I'd like to hear what other people thought about it.

Kazeshini · #2 11-28-2011, 03:43 PM

Funny, earlier today I was reading this article and it made me think of the movie.

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/0...ensaurus/all/1

Never read the book though.

Jim Colyer · #3 12-21-2012, 07:45 AM

"Jurrasic Park" is a classic, but I had to struggle to get through it. I read it while living in a studio apartment in Las Vegas in 1993. I wish I could go back 20 years and do things right.

Rabin · #4 06-27-2013, 09:23 AM

I think "great" may be a bit of a stretch, but I thought it was really good. It turned me onto Michael Crichton's other works which I also enjoyed.

FX Lord · #5 09-20-2013, 12:26 AM

Anyone who knows me knows I was obsessed with Spielberg films from a young age. At one time, anything he did was gold in my eyes.

Imagine my excitement then when, at the age of 17, I saw the first trailers for 'Jurassic Park.' I couldn't wait and ran out to a bookshop to buy the novel.

When I read the novel, I was frantic with anticipation for the film because what I pictured from the book would make the most incredible film. I even made a £200 bet with a college friend that it would beat 'Last Action Hero' at the box office (Empire magazine had the Arnie pic tipped as the Summer champ).

When the film came around I queued for hours (actually I was at the front and there 5 hours before the doors opened - kids huh?). This was going to be the cinematic experience of my life...

Two hours later, I left the cinema deflated. One thought ran through my mind: 'Is that it?'

The book promised a dark visceral experience with endless set pieces and absorbing characters. The film was a colourful watered down version with cardboard cut-outs for characters with very little plot. The effects were the only impressive element.

While everybody who did not read the book marvelled at the film, as far as I was concerned Spielberg had delivered his weakest film to date. I remember interviews taken in the street by the BBC, whenever they spoke to someone who had read the book beforehand the reaction echoed mine: 'The book was better. Much scarier.'

I suspect those who say 'Jurassic Park' was an insult to literature based their opinion on the film and didn't even bother to read the book. Had they read the book they would realise that Hollywood missed the opportunity to make a truly great film.

At least I won the bet

Britt · #6 09-20-2013, 04:05 AM

I've never read the book but saw the movie(s) and the Jurrasic Park movies never get old no matter how many times I watch them.

Whiskers · #7 09-20-2013, 04:26 AM

I prefered Chriton's Eaters of the Dead (13th Warrior as the Movie). With Jurassic Park, the movie wasn't too bad, but I've never really been a dinosaur person.

Pandora · #8 07-11-2014, 05:52 AM

I loved it, read it while taking my then young teens to the watermark. I went on to read many of Crichton's books, I like the nano tech one, Prey. He has a cool mind.

Come to think of it I saw the movie first, must have.

Thewritingkid · #9 08-29-2014, 06:46 PM

I've never read the book, but I want to. There aren't many good dinosaur or paleontology books out there that I've heard of, and I would definitely like to look into them. As for the movie, well, I've seen it at least twice, maybe three times or so, and it's probably on my list of favorite movies of all time. Given that I've seen about 20 movies to completion in my entire life, that's probably not that big of a deal.

Checker · #10 09-04-2015, 04:15 AM

I thought it was readable - "okay" at best.

Though I cannot, from my memory alone, offer any constructive analytic criticism, I can remember lazing through it not particularly impressed by anything, and that the end left a bad taste in my mouth.

Due to this experience, I have avoided all other Chriton novels as much as is possible with the various lit classes I've taken in the past few years.