“improvvisamente mi resi conto che non ne potevo più. desideravo con tutte le mie forze che le finestre venissero riparate, le ferite rimarginate, la vita riprendesse il ritmo normale”

pochi libri mi hanno coinvolto dall’inizio alla fine in questo modo. sono genuinamente felice di averlo letto

Hinter Jeffery Hudson verbirgt sich kein Geringerer als Michael Crichton, seines Zeichens einer meiner Lieblingsautoren. Natürlich war ich aufgeregt, als mir sein erstes Buch über den Weg lief. Erste Bücher sind immer speziell.

Dass dieses Buch unter Pseudonym veröffentlicht wurde, überrascht nicht. Man veröffentlicht nicht einfach so ein Buch über das Thema Abtreibung. Schon gar nicht in Amerika. Nicht damals, als der Titel erstmals erschien, aber auch heute nicht.

Dabei habe ich gar nicht gemerkt, dass die Handlung in den 60ern angesetzt ist. Die Geschichte liest sich so modern und aktuell wie eh und je. Dabei be- und verurteilt Crichton nicht, aber er lässt unterschiedliche Figuren mit unterschiedlichen Ansichten auftreten. Auf diese Weise erhält man als Leser einen vertieften Einblick in ein Thema, das ganze Nationen entzweit.

Den Anhang wollte ich eigentlich nicht lesen, aber schlussendlich fand ich diesen fast spannender als die Geschichte. Crichton schreibt nicht einfach irgendwas, er ist fundiert, er weiss, worüber er schreibt und belegt dies auch. Deshalb erfährt man aus seinen Büchern immer so viel.

Nun weiss ich z.B. auch, wofür die Abkürzung FLK steht.

Michael Crichton , a favorite author of mine`s , first book. I have read some favorable amazon reviews but must differ from them. I gave it a 3 rating so I liked it as the book kept my interest and I enjoyed the medical knowledge (or future knowledge when I look up a half-dozen items) it contained. But , the drama of his later books are clearly superior , and I think it is obvious that this is a weaker precursor of greater things to come. Some touted the plot twists , or the writing , or the conclusion as wonderful writing. I didn`t think the plots twisted enough , I thought too many threads were left dangling in the end , and the writing was just solid , not engrossing.
That being said , it is still a worthy quick read , that does pose the moral questions of abortion and a glimpse of the social mind 40 yrs ago.

I read this book years and years ago and it was definitely four stars for me then. I think I connected a lot with how this novel was a turning point for Crichton, who had written it under a pseudonym because he was still practicing medicine at the time. It was the novel that made him decide to leave medicine (which he had hated) and become a writer full time. And as a young woman I think the story of illegal abortions really impacted me, but rereading it now I realize I've been remembering the ending very differently. Still, an excellent early novel.

This was Crichton's first novel, published when he was twenty-six, in 1968. I suspect it didn't sell all that well, but it did launch a career that included not just novels, but movies and TV. The premise is a little flimsy--a pathologist who becomes a detective--and the use of medical jargon doesn't help much to further the plot. Being a real life M.D. may have inclined Crichton to show off a bit. There are too many characters, and most are roughly drawn, and some reveals that don't seem necessary or helpful, either. The big topic of abortion is central, just six years before Roe, and Crichton conveniently provides an appendix that discusses the issue from both sides. It's sad the activist court that voided Roe didn't use some of that critical thinking in their decision, rather than relying on their preconceived notions and superstitions to impose an edict that has shaken the political world the past two years. If this had been Crichton's only showing as a novelist it could be easily dismissed, but considering his subsequent success, it forms a reasonable foundation for what came later.

Crichton's first published book. PUblished when he was 26. Oh, the envy. You can really see his medical training here, as well as the unavoidable road to his eventual creation of ER.
I'm a sucker for a book that I'll learn something from and this one has footnotes and appendices for further medical background and explanations. There is a good look into the behind the scenes of a hospital.

The plot revolves around the issue of abortion in the late sixties. I'm guesstimating at the year because it is actually never mentioned, but you can surmise it from the description of settings and details thrown in. In a time when abortion is illegal, a doctor is arrested for the death resulting from an abortion that is being pinned on him. His good friend and doctor, who also happened to study a bit of law before jumping to medicine, decides to investigate, and takes us on a ride through medical clues, family secrets, racial prejudices, and professional protocols.

I just can't believe it's the first thing he ever wrote.

Great book. I'm always amazed (and envious) when I see how young some of my favorite authors were when they wrote some books I have loved. I think Michael was 26 when he wrote this. It doesn't fit into my head that I could write like this when I was 26. I don't think I could write like this now.
Anyway, a good thriller, good pace, intriguing case, good research and explanations. To me, it feels like a bit of a trick, because I think the reader could never guess for sure who was the culprit.
Well, it's a pleasure to read Michael Crichton.

A Case of Need by Michael Crichton is a fast paced thrilling medical drama. Originally written in the 60's when Crichton was just in the beginning stages of his writing career, Crichton penned this novel under the pseudonym Jeffery Hudson. Although penned under an alias Crichton packs this novel with all the action, suspense, and medical drama that we've come to expect from him. A Case of Need centers around Karen Randall who has died from a botched abortion. Was it murder or negligence? The Randall's are a family born out of and into medicine, and when Doctor Art Lee is named as the faulted abortionist and put in jail something still seems to be not quite adding up. Dr. John Berry, friend of Art Lee takes matters into his own hands and vows to get to the bottom of this medical mystery. Crichton uses plot twists and revelations as well as his science skills to take on an issue that is still quite the hot and relevant topic. With great characters and equally great suspense, A Case of Need was an awesome read, difficult to put down, and thoroughly enjoyable.

5 Stars bc the book was hard to put down, taking the reader into the medical world in a technical but not geeky boring way. Michael C's books are always an engaging provacative pleasure to read.

3.5

"Историческа истина е, че човек може да извърши нещо неправилно поради правилни причини. В този случай той губи. Или пък може да постъпи правилно поради неправилни причини. В този случай ще бъде герой."

Crichton--even "med school Crichton"--will always be a favorite

I feel as if I have just had a tall drink of cool water. I don't think I appreciated before what a clean prose style Crichton had, and it was used to great effect in this 1968 medical mystery. Having lived through this time, it is really interesting to read something written during the period; it shows how much our world has changed.
Alert: There are a lot of triggers in this book, from racially-charged language to the "prehistoric" treatment of women to the immediate cause of the murder (the victim had an abortion).

A good read even though dated. Michael Critchon’s first book.