You know, at times like this one I feel, well, perhaps extinct animals should be left extinct.
Hi!
Hello?
Can you hear me?
This is Zelda speaking. I’m back! The Writer said I get to review the book with all of the dinosaurs. Although it was written as a thriller by the late and great Michael Crichton, it has some truly terrifying and downright horrific moments guaranteed to scare the fur off of any feline.
Personally, I like the raptors. They’re a lot like cats but with larger claws and a pack mentality. My parents even call me their little velociraptor because of my hunting instincts and loud yowling!
So, here’s some background on the book. Jurassic Park was published in 1990 and emerged as a cautionary tale about the dangers of genetic engineering at a time when such fields were rapidly gaining ground – Does anyone remember the controversy over Dolly the sheep in 1996?
Crichton was a hard science fiction writer and wrote many novels decrying the use of science for profit, and especially for entertainment. The danger present in Jurassic Park comes from science being exploited and not well-understood, and the villains are ruthless capitalists interested in cutting corners and profiting as much as possible.
As a cat, I don’t always understand these subjects, but The Writer says they are scary. I like the dinosaurs. A lot of people get eaten alive!
So let’s check out what happens!
The Plot
The actual book plot of Jurassic Park is different from the movie everyone knows and loves. Everything begins in 1989, when strange animal attacks occur in Costa Rica. Scientists are unable to identify the remains of a captured specimen and call in paleontologist Alan Grant and his grad student Ellie Sattler to figure it out. However, they are intercepted by Hammond, who asks them to come see his ‘biological preserve’ off the coast.
As it turns out, the biological preserve is Jurassic Park. Hammond has paid the finest scientists in the world to recreate genetic codes by pulling dinosaur blood from fossilized mosquitos and fill in the gaps with reptilian, avian, and amphibian DNA. He plans to create a theme park of dinosaurs, heavily funded by the Japanese, to become even wealthier.
However, Hammond has definitely spared some expenses. He is relying on a single man to run the technology of the park, and Dennis Nedry is easily enticed by an offer for millions from a rival company. During a tour of the park, which is supposed to placate Hammond’s investors, Nedry turns off the power and fences and tries to steal the dinosaur DNA.
What happens next is hundreds of pages of absolute horror as the dinosaurs break loose. People are ripped in half, eaten alive, blinded only to have their organs ripped out, and trapped in buildings being torn apart by hungry monstrosities. To make matters worse, the dinosaurs are breeding and escaping to the mainland, where they terrorize Costa Rica. The only way the world will be safe is if Jurassic Park’s survivors can destroy the raptor nests, recall a boat full of dinosaurs, and call in international assistance.
The Review
As a book, Jurassic Park took the world by storm long before it became a movie. There are many reasons why. Aside from bringing every child’s favorite creatures back to life, it is a creative example of hard science fiction filled with haunting themes – including the use of science driven by greed and capitalism.
Crichton made sure to do his research, and there is a wealth of sources and a massive bibliography at the end of the book to back up much of the genetics discussed in the story. While some elements are impossible – such as blood surviving preserved in a mosquito’s digestive system in amber – the possibility of bringing an extinct creature back to life is very real.
Aside from the science, most of the characters are great. Grant is curious, intelligent, and resourceful. Sattler is daring, also intelligent, and proves a paleobotanist can be a badass. Hammond is everyone’s favorite sleazy corporate executive, and Muldoon is exactly who we would want on our side when a monster breaks loose – He had an RPG for crying out loud!
There are definitely some clunky moments. Malcolm, for example, is extremely annoying and lacks the charm of Jeff Goldblum. The plot extends longer than it should. Sometimes the dinosaurs behave more like monsters than animals.
Still, this is an amazing story with dark themes and plenty of scary moments to keep you humans awake at night. Even I got a little scared thinking about the idea of someone bringing back my ancestors…can you imagine a saber-toothed tiger running around?
I’m biased. In terms of story, themes, and execution, I give the story 5/5 Paws. Jurassic Park revolutionized many elements of science fiction and spawned a successful franchise in addition to rekindling the love of dinosaurs. While some of the characters are annoying and passages can be clunky, these flaws do not detract from the overall presentation and message.
Plus, dinosaurs.
Come on, there’s two T-rexes!
And firebombing!
From a non-existent Costa Rican air force….
But still!
Can I have my treat now?
Hello?
Feline Fright Fest 