The Andromeda Strain

[SWirth86]

Just got finished reading The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton. Really liked it
Anyone else read it?

 

[JC]

I remember reading it. Saw the movie, too. Great book

JC

 

[BillGates]

His books are awesome...

Yet somehow crap like Shakesphere with crappy, easily made up stories and not-to-the-point wording are considered great stories.

What a stupid world we live in.

 

[crab]

Great book!

 

[Antoneo]

I read that one as well, liked it but never saw the movie. The Time Line imo was horrible though... a good idea gone bad.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: crab453
Great book!

 

[Semper Fi]

Read it and saw the movie. It's been a while though. Pretty good book, movie was meh.

 

[SWirth86]

I'l have to see the movie...Of course, it probably won't be as good as the book, like in the case of Jurassic Park and Lost World, but they were enjoyable, so I'll rent the Andromeda movie sometime soon...

 

[SWirth86]

Originally posted by: BillGates
His books are awesome...

Yet somehow crap like Shakesphere with crappy, easily made up stories and not-to-the-point wording are considered great stories.

What a stupid world we live in.

Well said

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: BillGates
His books are awesome...

Yet somehow crap like Shakesphere with crappy, easily made up stories and not-to-the-point wording are considered great stories.

What a stupid world we live in.

flamebait ignored, but not easily.

Yes, Crichton is a good author. I've probably read all his books, most of which I have enjoyed. But he certainly doesn't hold a candle to Shakespeare.

 

[darkshadow1]

Wow, the first response to the shakespeare comment was agreement?

I like Crichton...I've also read pretty much all of his major books, other than Rising Sun. But as PSYWVic says, no comparison.

 

[skriefal]

Well, I've seen the movie but haven't read the book. I actually liked the movie quite a bit -- it focuses on the story rather than special effects, has reasonably good acting, uses relatively spartan sound effects and scoring, etc. These things aren't often found in newer movies. The overall style and feel of the film has perhaps not aged quite as well as it could have, but it's still definitely worth seeing.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Yes, I read the book (years ago) and saw the movie; I've also read Sphere and Jurrasic Park. Personally, I find Michael Crichton a bit hard to take; he tends to be pretty preachy and frankly not all that knowledgable. There are much better science fiction writers out there IMHO.

 

[Yomicron]

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: crab453
Great book!

 

[BillGates]

Guys, how is Shakesphere good?? Seriously?? The stories are dry, drab, and well, boring - any person above the age of 18 could come up with them.

I don't understand the draw at all.

 

[yakko]

I know I saw the movie but I can't remember if I read the book.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: BillGates
Guys, how is Shakesphere good?? Seriously?? The stories are dry, drab, and well, boring - any person above the age of 18 could come up with them.

I don't understand the draw at all.

OM... What you don't seem to understand is that Shakespeare's work, among other classical authors and poets, laid such firm groundwork. It seems cliche now, because the works were so parodied, so trend setting, that they were mimicked, built upon, and interpreted for years. Not to mention the verse, the style, and all the allusion and study behind the writings. Chriton's work, along with other popfiction authors, is definitely eye-catching and entertaining. But there's little behind it, if you begin to look closely. They are spun stories, very fun, but lacking the common themes of humanity that underlie the simple (not simplistic) plots of the greats.

I'm not tearing down pop-fiction - it contains some things of worth on its own account. But you cannot compare the two forms of literature, for they each offer something different.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: BillGates
Guys, how is Shakesphere good?? Seriously?? The stories are dry, drab, and well, boring - any person above the age of 18 could come up with them.
I don't understand the draw at all.

That's like saying "anyone could come up with the songs from The White Album and Sgt. Pepper." Sure they could, now that the music has woven itself into much of the music that has followed it and 2-3 generations of musicians have been hearing the music since the womb.

The Beatles, Stones, Buddy Holly, Elvis etc. all seem simple and even simplistic now because of the newer music that has been built on their foundation.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: BillGates
Guys, how is Shakesphere good?? Seriously?? The stories are dry, drab, and well, boring - any person above the age of 18 could come up with them.
I don't understand the draw at all.

That's like saying "anyone could come up with the songs from The White Album and Sgt. Pepper." Sure they could, now that the music has woven itself into much of the music that has followed it and 2-3 generations of musicians have been hearing the music since the womb.

The Beatles, Stones, Buddy Holly, Elvis etc. all seem simple and even simplistic now because of the newer music that has been built on their foundation.

Thank you!