Book Review | Next by Michael Crichton

I find myself diving into science fiction from time to time whenever I see a name that pops out. Of course, Michael Crichton is one of those names that stands out on a bookshelf, especially if it's right next to Twilight. No judgment here, by the way. I have read the Twilight books, but nothing compares to the author of Jurassic Park. So Next is a science fiction story about genetics and ethics. That's how I would sum it up. Even more important, it was the last book he published.

There're all these characters whose paths cross at some point, while they have to deal with their personal problems and also with some futuristic twist that has to do with all the genetic suppositions Crichton creates and elaborates based on actual events. From cell patents to engineering to mutations to law implications to biotechnology, this book covers a massive range of possibilities that we may have to deal with.

To make it all even more realistic, throughout the book there're media clippings of real stories that relate to the story or to a particular character development. They all added a little something to the plot. I must confess I had to check some of them to see the real people behind such unbelievable events.

Overall, this seemed a very interesting plot to be turned into a movies or even a television series, much like Crichton's previous works. My favorite bits are those related to transgenic procedures, either animals enhanced with human genes, or animals modified to suit human needs. As attention grabbing as this, genetic testing to implicate people in court, which seemed to be a way to include some dark humor to the plot through stories of predisposition to behaviors or illnesses that implicate someone facing a judge.

I am still digesting this book, as there are so many interesting bits of information that need more research. It's disheartening that Next was the last of Crichton's books, but he did leave us a great legacy. This one grabbed me from the start and is already a dear one. "This novel is fiction, except for the parts that aren’t." That's how the book started. I sure hope some of the things he describes stay fiction.

10/10

Vanessa