Sphere

Rating:
Summary: Intense thriller
Review: Although perhaps lesser known than "Jurassic Park", "Sphere" is every bit as good. In the same way that he used "science" to justify his plot in "Jurassic Park", "Sphere" likewise has has that ring of authenticity. That's really what makes Crichton's books so enjoyable, there's always enough fact to allow the reader to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the story on it's merits.

Where "Sphere" really shines is in it's atmosphere; set in a research station on the bottom of the ocean, the narrative is as oppressive as the tons of water bearing down on every square inch. Crichton does a superb job of capturing the claustrophobia and inherent tension of such a place, and uses it to drive the plot forward. As for the plot, I don't give anything away when I say that the tension is only heightened by the bizarre nature of what is being researched. As the story moves inexorably towards its conclusions, the oppressiveness becomes almost unbearable as one character after another flirts with madness.

"Sphere" is one of the most original, and most enjoyable novels I have ever read. In terms of setting and pace, it is also one of the most intense. And, as always, Crichton injects the perfect amount of realism to keep the reader intrigued.

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Book
Review: Sphere is a masterpiece of techo-fiction, an awe-inspiring story of a mysterious 300 year old ship found at the bottom of the sea and of the scientists who investigate it. Complex and well-written, the ending is exactly what you need, but not neccesarily what you expect. Top-notch fiction from a master in the field.

Rating:
Summary: IMAGINATION is a powerful thing
Review: Sphere is a wonderful, deep, thought-provoking novel. I am impressed by Crichton's research into producing it, and am also intrigued by Norman's different take on an encounter with an ULF. The ending might be ridiculous to others, but I believe it contributes to the whole dilemma and unpredictability of human reaction to an unknown. However, the last few lines seem to imply something. At the end, to Norman, Beth seemed serene and almost beautiful, so did she really relinquish her power? "And she smiled."

As I said, absolutely intriguing.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I thought this book was GREAT! It is TOTALLY different from the movie and MUCH better! Great suspense and sci-fi at it's best!

Rating:
Summary: Shades of Shakesphere
Review: I apologise to the reader and to Sir William Shakespeare for leaving that irresistable typo in the title bar. By the time I got to the section of Crighton's novel where the remaining characters began to realize that their subconcious was the enemy and the alien sphere was the facilitator, the words "Forbidden Planet" bubbled up. This great Sci Fi movie was based on the same theme--that man, exploring the unknown for more power, will find himself too imperfect to handle power, if he gets too much. "The Tempest," by Shakespeare, first explored this theme, perhaps based on his experience with potentates that obtained more power than they could properly use.

The plots of all three stories follow the same basic plan, with more than coincidental similarities between the characters of each, though in Crichton's novel the secondary explorers come upon the primary discoverers of the "power" after they have all killed themselves with it. The characters experience,in the body of each story, a discovery phase in which they come to realize that they have absorbed the power and that their own conscious (Shakespeare) and unconscious (Forbidden Planet screenplay and Crichton) lusts and dreads are wreaking havoc by "materializing," "manifesting," themselves through the power. (Shakespeare didn't have the benefit of Freud so he was limited to exposing the unintended consequences unleashed by Prospero's conscious use of the magic he discovered on a distant island.)

All three stories end with the survivors judging man too immature for the power they have experienced. Each set of survivors decides to deny the rest of us access to this power and commits the appropriate destructive act at the end.

Both Shakespeare and "Forbidden Planet" are required reading/viewing. Crichton, I found exciting, initially--the opening of "Sphere" was novel, and portended a great follow-through--but the book settled into an all-to-familiar Hollywood thriller plot-line. I found the novel a bit too self-serious, and the way the author managed to have the "power" kept out of humanity's hands seemed, to me, a cute but unsatisfying contrivance.

Two other works come to mind: "Frankenstein" and Vonnegut's "Dead Eye Dick." The plots are not close, but the themes seem similar to the above. I would appreciate other reader's views, greatly.

Rating:
Summary: Heck of a lot better than the movie!!!
Review: I loved the movie "Sphere". BUT..and I say BUT...the book is way more intense, graphic, and frightening. Let me give you a good, lip-licking glimpse into Michael Crichton's underwater suspense. Norman Johnson once wrote a "What-If" report for the President of the US. He was a psychologist who dealt with survivor guilt and plane-crash sites, helping victims to "move on". His "What-If" report was commissioned as a step-by-step process the government should follow if we ever encountered alien life-forms. Norman wrote the report, and included a list of people he felt were qualified to be part of a "team" to confront any would-be aliens. Years go by....Norman gets a phone call and is told he is needed at a plane-crash site. His is flown out to the middle of nowhere in the Pacific Ocean...and what do you know! All the people he once listed in his "What-If" report are THERE with him!..on an ocean liner..awaiting classified information. They are eventually told about a "fin" protruding from the ocean floor..it is actually just part of a spacecraft embedded below the surface. Weird thing is, it's been there for probably thousands of years (according to coral growth on it) but appears to be something futuristic. Norman, and his team go down to look at it and eventually make there way inside the craft. His "What-If" team ( that doesn't seem so what-if anymore) includes himself, Beth Halpern, a zoologist; Harry Adams, a gifted mathematician; and Ted Feilding, a geologist. Together they live in an underwater habitat, running tests, and calculating what the ship really is , or more importantly, WHEN or WHERE it's from. Eventually the team enters the ship and discover it's secrets...including a luminous, evading "sphere". Those who interact with the sphere develop "powers". After contemplating and studying the sphere, STRANGE things begin to happen...mysteries and monsters that can only be explored by reading this book. Come on..I can't give it away!....But I promise you will be clinging to whatever chair you sit in to read this book! It is so well written...not a single sentence or character is wasted. I do suggest following the book with the movie, but keep in mind, the movie leaves out many weird and frightening aspects of the book! So read the book first, and rent the movie after-It's got an all-star cast. I'll just leave you with one last hint...Crichton knows how to tap into the power of the mind!!! Beware of your subconscious. :)

Rating:
Summary: 113 and an 1/8th
Review: ...this book should come with a warning label. It has more addictive qualities than popcorn! If you allow yourself five pages of this book you are soon sinking into the depths of the ocean, trying to discover the new force that is reaking havoc within the minds of the inhabitants. A visitor from some other place (at first known simply as "Jerry") makes contact with the characters and suggest's at first that he is child-like and a sort of "Get along with everybody" kind of personality. He makes contact via their computer consoles from what they believe comes from a newly discovered orb that had been hidden in the depths...But soon after Jerry unknowingly uses a power so strong that people start dying. In forceful and almost completely unpredictable ways, they are destroyed, perhaps by something not so foreign as expected. Could this power be coming from...their own selves. Or, is there indeed a being of supreme unwitting power that harmlessly enjoys his new visitors in deadly and fatal ways? Read the book. It's still a pleasure after 3 reads. HI HELLO I AM FINE - MY NAME IS JERRY - I WILL KILL YOU NOW. And remember as you read this book, the shakespearian saying, "What's in a name." One of the many secrets in the book.

Rating:
Summary: Sphere
Review: When I read Sphere for the first time I really did not understand the begging of it. It comfused me in the way that it was taking you to different places and it seemed to go on and on. But then when I read it over again to see why I could not understand it I began to understand it. The book had a colorful meaning and was beautifully written. Most of the time I could not put the book down. I just had to read it. When I finished the book it seemed to just end. I think that Micheal should right another book called Sphere 2: Discovered again. it should be in the far future when they learn what really was down there. If you like good Science-Fiction book you should read Sphere.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting
Review: Wow, this was a very good book. I had seen the movie a couple times and loved it, and then my friend told me to try the book, so i did. It was awesome..the book is a whole lot different from the movie, and, as most books-turned-movies are, the book was much better. For those who dont know the story, there is an airplane crash of some sort in the pacific and all these super smart people get called in to help out. Turns out that the plane was a space ship and there is this really weird looking sphere thing in it. All of the sudden tons of bad stuff starts happening, and the people on the ship are talking to a sentient life form over a computer somehow. Its really intricate and very exciting. There are a whole bunch of twists and turns, and all of it keeps you on your feet. This is a very good book and i would recommend it to most anyone.

Rating:
Summary: So good, there should be a warning label on this book.
Review: I could not put this book down. Without a doubt, this is one the greatest books I have ever read. It combines science fiction, fantasy, action, suspense, and a little bit of psychology into a great package. Crichton does an unbelievable job with this book.

Basically, a weird type of ship is found on the bottom of the floor. Is it an alien ship? Is it human? Who knows? What secrets does it possess? Oh, it has quite a bit of excitement though. I could not give away anything else without giving away the plot, and I wouldn't dare.

I started this book on a Sunday afternoon, and finished it on a Sunday night. I skipped laundry, I skipped dinner - heck, I even skipped the Simpsons. The only flaw I could find in this book was that it was too good, and I couldn't put it away.

I've never seen the movie, nor would I want to, because no movie could do this book justice. I highly recommend skipping the movie and go straight to the book. In fact, I'm going to stop the review so you can order the book now.