17 Mar Book Review: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Before it became one of the most iconic blockbuster films of all time, Jurassic Park was a groundbreaking novel that changed the landscape of science fiction. Michael Crichton combined cutting-edge science, pulse-pounding action, and ethical dilemmas into a story that’s as terrifying as it is thought-provoking. It’s a book that not only entertains but makes you question the consequences of human ambition and scientific hubris. If you’ve only seen the movie, you’re missing out on a much deeper and darker tale.

What’s it about?

Jurassic Park begins with a mysterious accident on a tropical island off the coast of Costa Rica. A worker is mauled by a strange, unidentified animal, and the InGen Corporation rushes to cover it up, flying the injured man to the mainland under a cloud of secrecy. This incident raises the suspicions of Dr. Alan Grant, a renowned paleontologist, and Dr. Ellie Sattler, a paleobotanist, who are soon invited to Isla Nublar by the enigmatic billionaire, John Hammond.

Hammond is the visionary founder of InGen, a biotechnology company that has achieved the impossible—they’ve cloned dinosaurs using ancient DNA extracted from prehistoric mosquitoes preserved in amber. He invites Grant and Sattler, along with Dr. Ian Malcolm, a charismatic mathematician specializing in chaos theory, and Donald Gennaro, InGen’s cautious legal consultant, to evaluate his creation: Jurassic Park, a theme park featuring living dinosaurs.

Upon arriving at Isla Nublar, the group is introduced to the wonders of Jurassic Park. They see living, breathing dinosaurs—Brachiosaurus grazing peacefully, Triceratops wandering through the jungle, and Gallimimus sprinting across the plains. It’s a dream come true for Grant and Sattler, who have dedicated their lives to studying fossils, and they’re awestruck by the sight of creatures they’ve only imagined.

But as the tour continues, Malcolm’s warnings about chaos theory and unpredictability begin to take on a sinister tone. He argues that life is inherently chaotic and uncontrollable, and that Hammond’s attempt to manipulate nature is doomed to fail. Malcolm’s skepticism is dismissed by Hammond, who is blinded by his ambition and greed. He believes his state-of-the-art security systems and genetically engineered dinosaurs are perfectly safe, assuring his guests that nothing can go wrong.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Dennis Nedry, the park’s disgruntled computer programmer, is plotting to sabotage the park. Nedry has been bribed by Lewis Dodgson, a corporate rival from Biosyn Corporation, to steal dinosaur embryos. In exchange for a lucrative payday, Nedry disables the park’s security systems, including the electrified fences containing the dinosaurs. In a matter of moments, the park’s carefully controlled ecosystem descends into chaos.

The power outage allows the Tyrannosaurus rex to escape from its enclosure, leading to one of the most terrifying scenes in the novel. As the rain pours down and the earth trembles, the T. rex attacks the tour vehicles, killing Donald Gennaro and severely injuring Dr. Ian Malcolm, who is left struggling to survive with a broken leg. Tim and Lex Murphy, Hammond’s grandchildren, are also stranded in the park, forced to navigate the jungle and outsmart the deadly predators that are now roaming free.

The Velociraptors are the most terrifying of all. Genetically engineered to be intelligent, fast, and cunning, they quickly establish themselves as the apex predators on the island. Unlike the movie, where the raptors are primarily a threat in the final act, in the novel they are a constant, looming danger. They hunt in packs, communicate with each other, and display problem-solving abilities that make them even more terrifying.

Grant and the children must navigate through the jungle, using their knowledge of dinosaur behavior to survive. They encounter a dilophosaurus that spits venom, evade a group of compys (Procompsognathus) that swarm like piranhas, and narrowly escape a stampede of Gallimimus. The park’s attractions have turned into death traps, and the once awe-inspiring dinosaurs are now relentless hunters.

Meanwhile, Ellie Sattler and Robert Muldoon, the park’s game warden, fight to restore power and regain control of the park. Muldoon, a veteran hunter, understands the danger of the raptors better than anyone. He’s one of the few characters who recognizes the full extent of Hammond’s hubris and the park’s inevitable failure. Armed with a rocket launcher, he faces off against the raptors in a tense showdown, showcasing his courage and expertise.

In a chilling twist, the survivors discover that the dinosaurs are breeding. Despite InGen’s assurances that all the dinosaurs were engineered as females, the discovery of eggs reveals that the animals have been reproducing. Dr. Malcolm’s theory is confirmed—life has found a way. This revelation exposes the fundamental flaw in InGen’s genetic engineering: by using amphibian DNA to fill the gaps in the dinosaurs’ genetic code, they inadvertently gave them the ability to change sex, just like certain species of frogs.

As the survivors race against time to restore power and escape the island, the narrative reaches a heart-pounding climax. The raptors infiltrate the Visitor Center, hunting the humans with terrifying precision. In a tense battle, Grant and the children outsmart the raptors using their knowledge of dinosaur behavior and the park’s own systems.

The story ends in tragedy and devastation. John Hammond is killed by compys, a fitting end for the man who played God without considering the consequences. The survivors are rescued by the Costa Rican military, but Isla Nublar is bombed and destroyed, eradicating all evidence of Jurassic Park. However, the novel ends on a chilling note—reports of strange, lizard-like creatures appear on the mainland, hinting that the dinosaurs have already begun to spread.

What This Chick Thinks

A terrifying, thought-provoking masterpiece

Jurassic Park is so much more than a dinosaur story. It’s a brilliant exploration of scientific ethics, human ambition, and the consequences of playing God. Crichton’s portrayal of genetic engineering is chillingly realistic, making the story feel plausible and terrifying. It’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of technological hubris, delivered with pulse-pounding action and suspense.

Complex characters and moral dilemmas

The characters in the novel are complex and flawed, each representing a different perspective on science and ethics. John Hammond is not the kindly grandfather from the movie but a ruthless entrepreneur blinded by greed. Ian Malcolm is a brilliant, cynical mathematician whose predictions of chaos and disaster are hauntingly accurate. Dr. Grant and Ellie Sattler are more than just action heroes—they’re scientists struggling with the moral implications of Hammond’s creation.

Unrelenting tension and action

Crichton’s writing is fast-paced and cinematic, with action scenes that are both terrifying and exhilarating. The T. rex attack is heart-stopping, the raptors are genuinely terrifying, and the jungle feels alive with danger. The novel builds tension relentlessly, making it impossible to put down.

Final Thoughts

Jurassic Park is a masterpiece of science fiction and horror. It’s thrilling, intelligent, and hauntingly relevant, exploring the consequences of human ambition and scientific advancement. It’s a story that stays with you, making you question the ethical implications of technology and the limits of human control.

Rating: 10/10

Try it if you like

• The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton – Another gripping sci-fi thriller that explores the consequences of scientific experimentation.
• Westworld by Michael Crichton – A chilling story about artificial intelligence and the consequences of human hubris.
• Sphere by Michael Crichton – A psychological sci-fi thriller that explores the unknown and the dangers of human curiosity.