Micro

A Novel

By: Michael Crichton, Richard Preston

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

In Jurassic Park, he created a terrifying new world. Now, in Micro, Michael Crichton reveals a universe too small to see and too dangerous to ignore.

In a locked Honolulu office building, three men are found dead with no sign of struggle except for the ultrafine, razor-sharp cuts covering their bodies. The only clue left behind is a tiny bladed robot, nearly invisible to the human eye.

In the lush forests of Oahu, groundbreaking technology has ushered in a revolutionary era of biological prospecting. Trillions of microorganisms, tens of thousands of bacteria species, are being discovered; they are feeding a search for priceless drugs and applications on a scale beyond anything previously imagined.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, seven graduate students at the forefront of their fields are recruited by a pioneering microbiology start-up. Nanigen MicroTechnologies dispatches the group to a mysterious lab in Hawaii, where they are promised access to tools that will open a whole new scientific frontier.

But once in the Oahu rain forest, the scientists are thrust into a hostile wilderness that reveals profound and surprising dangers at every turn. Armed only with their knowledge of the natural world, they find themselves prey to a technology of radical and unbridled power. To survive, they must harness the inherent forces of nature itself.

An instant classic, Micro pits nature against technology in vintage Crichton fashion. Completed by visionary science writer Richard Preston, this boundary-pushing thriller melds scientific fact with pulse-pounding fiction to create yet another masterpiece of sophisticated, cutting-edge entertainment.

©2011 John Michael Crichton Trust (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

Not my favorite, but still enjoyed it!

I have read Crichton's best and have enjoyed them all. This was good and I hear Amblin Entertainment bought the rights to this. If done correctly, it would be fun to watch on the big screen. Preston made it hard to tell where Michael's share ended and his began. He deserves credit for his efforts. This one is face paced and Vin Drake's character is a fantastically diabolical psychopath. Only have a few Crichton's left to enjoy. Solid B. Performance was excellent.

Classic Crichton!

Definitely one of the best Crichton books I've heard. Action, thrill, sci-fi technology, classic Crichton!

The micro adversity and super powers

2nd listen, 1st was on CD when it debuted. Still as thrilling at the first read.

good storyline

This story started out a little reminding me of "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" but it developed a lot better. Overall a good storyline and character development and it does keep you going with sudden changes, plot twists and surprises.

Land of the Giants - updated

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes with reservations. The story line is an old one - remember the old tv show land of the giants, where people were shrunk down so that blades of grades eemed like redwoods? If so, this story is an updated version. The 'small people' are graduate students in different areas of biology. The most interesting part of the story is when they use their knowledge of biology to their favor.

The rest of the story requires a large suspension of belief. The book devolves away from clever use of biiological knowledge to an action adventure story.

Could have been much better but it is an entertaining read for those like a 'light' science fiction book.

Would you be willing to try another book from Michael Crichton and Richard Preston ? Why or why not?

Under circumstances. I doubt that I would go out of my way to buy it as soon as it came out, but I would likely put in on my list to eventually get to.

Would you listen to another book narrated by John Bedford Lloyd?

He was a good narrator but I found nothing that made me feel was a great narrator nor did he have any traits that I disliked...he does not make or break the book.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I'd wait for the braodcast version.

Great story, but definitely not Crichton

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Too many loose ends - Crichton wouldn't have left soo many holes (I'm sure he would have loved to finish it)

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

predictable, loose ends

What three words best describe John Bedford Lloyd’s performance?

very good

Did Micro inspire you to do anything?

nope

Any additional comments?

The book is definitely worth listening to - especially if you are a Crichton fan. But its definitely not his best. Lower your expectations a bit and you'll be fine.

Classic Michael Crichton

Where does Micro rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top ten.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Conflict resolved, without any loose ends.

What does John Bedford Lloyd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed the narrator, handled the weird noices of the micro world without being distracting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Maybe not Michael Crichton's best work, but very enjoyable all the same.

Michael crichton books

Loved the book, took a little to get to the meat and potatoes of the story. Once it did, it was a great novel to add to the collection.

spellbinding

narrator was excellent
hard to stop listening
Dont miss it
Hope they do the movie!

Pretty good story

The story is decent, not what I was expecting, but good none the less. I'll definitely listen again.