Skip to main content

RIP - Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton, genius author, and director passed away the day before yesterday. This post is in his memory.

I am a huge fan of Crichton's work. My introduction to Crichton was The Andromeda Strain, a book that was gifted to me sometimes in school. I was much too young to enjoy it at the time, and after a few pages, I put it back on the shelf and forgot all about it. During my 11th or 12th grade, I got my hands on Congo. When I was done with it, I went back and dug up The Andromeda Strain. That was it. I was hooked.

In those days, my principal complaint against authors was that each wrote around set plot lines. Robin Cook and John Grisham were so boring after some time! I found Michael Crichton to be refreshingly different! (Now I know better, Crichton writes around the idea of the collapse of a "perfect" system, at least in most cases.) Slowly and steadily I gobbled up his entire works. These were some of the earliest books I bought for myself. In fact, today I own every single fiction novel of his except for Congo (People, this is a hint. Gift it to me and make me happy)

Of all of his books, I have a clear favorite. It is The Great Train Robbery. The story is set in Victorian England and loosely based on the Great Gold Robbery of 1855. This book completely enthralled me, I have read it countless times. I don't have a clear second favorite among Crichton's books, because they are all so good, but a few notable mentions would be Rising Sun (a murder occurs during a business meeting, and Japanese and American culture clashes thereafter, technology: some awesome evidence tampering), Timeline (historians traveling to the Middle ages, technology: Quantum Physics), Sphere (alien craft discovered at the bottom of the ocean, technology: psychology, discussions of interaction with aliens), Prey (a swarm of artificially created nanobots evolves out of control and starts attacking humans, technology: nanotechnology, intelligence in distributed systems, Lamarckian Evolution), Eaters of the Dead (set in the 10th century, about a Muslim who travels with the Vikings on their adventures, technology: eaters_of_the_dead! What else do you want!) and of course Jurassic Park (dinosaurs coming back to life in a supposedly controlled environment, technology: genetics, chaos theory)

Crichton has often been criticized that he wrote with a film adaptation in mind. Indeed, at least 11 of his books have been made into films. Even so, Crichton is a real joy to read (especially if you're geeky or into sci-fi) and I would recommend him to all book lovers.

Labels:

Comments

Akansha Agrawal said…
I've read only Sphere by him. It was a good read but I didn't follow up others. Dunno why... but I didn't.
November 7, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Post a Comment

Also read

Financial Minimalism: How to create abundance by needing less

Feeling stuck in the cycle of wanting more yet never feeling rich? This guide to financial minimalism shows you how to create soulful abundance by needing less. Through emotional budgeting, spiritual wealth practices, and minimalist finances, learn how simplicity is power—not poverty. Unlock sovereign wealth from within and reframe money as a tool for inner peace and outer purpose. Why silent strugglers deserve a new kind of wealth I once sat across from a man who looked exhausted—not just physically, but spiritually. He wasn’t poor in the traditional sense. There was a Rolex on his wrist, designer shoes on his feet. But in his eyes? Hollow space. A quiet, silent struggle most people miss. Society focuses too much on the loud winners: the flashy entrepreneurs, the influencers, the news-worthy success stories. But what about the invisible strugglers—the underdogs quietly wrestling financial, emotional, or spiritual breakdowns? People for whom abundance feels like a far-off dream? Thi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pin-drop silence: When prayers don’t work – block or divine redirection?

  Ever found yourself staring at the ceiling after a heartfelt prayer, hearing nothing but pin-drop silence? You’re not alone. This isn’t spiritual ghosting—it might be a reroute. Learn to decipher if it’s a block or divine redirection, why your manifestations aren't working, and how sacred stillness could be designing your soul’s next chapter. First Published on 15/10/2008 17:49 Second revised edition - Published on 09/07/2025 14:15 Feeling unheard isn’t always abandonment? I remember sobbing on my bathroom floor at 2:17 a.m., whispering a prayer with every ounce of desperation I had left. And then... nothing. Just silence. No sign. No comfort. No cosmic nudge. It felt like even the universe had put me on "Do Not Disturb." If you've felt that deafening pin-drop silence , where prayers seem to vanish into a black hole—know this: feeling unheard is not always abandonment. Sometimes, it's sacred space being carved for what needs to grow. We’re conditioned to be...
Post a Comment
Read more