What did I think?

What did I think?!?

This book has:

-Talking monkeys
-Sinister Japanese businessmen
-Lasers
-Laser guns
-The actual phrase "laser gun"
-Cannibals
-African revolutionaries
-Hippo attacks
-Blue diamonds
-Wildly inaccurate predictions about the future of supercomputing
-Supercomputers
-Speculation on the nature of language
-Gorillas bred to kill
-Milquetoast academics forced by circumstance into acts of badassery
-Sky-diving gorillas
-An ancient lost city called Zinj
-A volcanic eruption

and a flipping hot air balloon.

So what do you think I think?

It was really fun.

Sometimes its way to much info and i zoned out while reading. It did feel like reading a non-fiction book sometimes and it staggered my reading flow.

After half the book it got better and less "block of pure facts" and more fiction. All in all it was an ok read.

I expected more and was a bit disseppointed.

Crichton is not the most subtle when it comes to foreshadowing. I enjoyed this but wasn't impressed. The ending was full of action and somehow anti-climactic at the same time.
However, I do recommend it to fans of techno-thrillers.

Just as bad as the movie.

Great summer gorillas in the jungle thriller - A safari ride through the landscapes and animals of Africa - nonstop - action. Finished reading Jurassic PARK and Lost World, so I thought I’d give this one a try. It’s a nonstop Summer in the Rain Forest / African Jungle Thriller. Mixes in actual historical and scientific facts with a story about Gorillas, their natural habitats that are constantly being threatened with violence, as people desire the minerals and natural resources derived from their habitat. The people of Virunga, tribes in the forest that practice cannibalism, and futuristic technology which seems to be here today. If you saw the movie, this book is wayyy better. Great story.

One day - one that seems like a lifetime ago - my dad said, "Hey, I've got a book for you." I was excited until he pressed this book, Congo, into my hands. It was a sad-looking, beat up paperback with curled edges and faded lettering on the cover. "Who is Michael Crick-ton?" I asked. He laughed at my mistake and said, "Just read it, I think you'll like it."
He wasn't wrong.
That was my first foray into this particular genre. And though I initially read it just to please my dad, I am now an avid fan of all things sci-fi and thrilling, and I believe that may have all started with my introduction to this well-used little paperback book.

I'm shocked at how boring this book is. My friend said it was about monster gorillas and ancient lasers. That sounds awesome to me. But the prose has the attention span of a goldfish - nothing lasts longer than three pages. Nothing is described or dramatized. Where are they going? How did they get here? Why are they doing that? The same three questions flopped around in my head like laundry until I finally quit at 242 pages

Apes are smart, even without tampering of any kind, and humans, not so much.

Liked Amy the gorilla. Liked the descriptions of the rainforest in the Congo. A so-so story.

Dedicated to Patrick.
Ladies and gentlemen once I've broken the ice, as a basketball player I am on a roll and I can keep writing criticism, just like the basketball player would be able to Dunk shots free or triple where it is.
After the fantastic story of Dean R. Koontz https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... & from_review_page = 1 I thought that would like users to come with me to delve into the dangerous jungle of the Congo with a server. Unfortunately I can not take them to the Congo, I am as it is bankrupt, but I hope that with my criticism they may be closer to your destination.
Michael Crichton has had so many successes, and failures here may have a list of my reviews of his novels https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... & search % 5Bquery % 5 d = Michael + Crichton
. Being the two that I like more "Disclosure" harassment in Spainhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... (already is a very controversial issue, that is the woman that harass the man, and not backward), and 'eaters of " Corpses" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... brightly mixing the song of Beowulf https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... & from_search = true
(with the "Risiada" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... with friendly Neanderthals including:-). This novel started it being child, waiting for it to be a second "Byzantium" of Stephen R. Lawhead https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... & from_search = true and how bored I abandon it (by the way, ever) I found a novel as good as the Lawhead, and already I have thirty-six years :-).) Yet I went to reread last year, and pipe pass me. It made a great film with the great John McTiernan with Antonio Banderas, and Gudunov, that would have been good, but had been without a budget in the midst of filming. Yet I prefer Outlander, Jim Caviezel, and Howard Bain not to be confused with the novel of the Lady Diana Gabaldon, to whom I present my respects https://www.goodreads.com/series/4394... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
This novel would be between the medians of Michael Crichton. He is about a group of explorers, which are certainly not the mother blessed Teresa of Calcutta, or a group of anonymous benefactors, but people with few scruples Karen Ross is an ambitious woman, which does not stop at nothing to get what she wants. In this case some beautiful diamonds, because that yes the Congo possesses a wealth of natural resources. Among them, although Crichton does not cite it. The famous Coltan, although at the time that Crichton wrote "Congo" in the 1970s became known, much to close to the same. Another is a scientist, who carried out experiments on primates, which is also quite stubborn when it comes to achieve their goals. Then there is a third character named Munro, who is a pied noir or a white European born in africa, and that could have come out of the Frederick Forsyth novel "the dogs of war" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... & from_search = true I take this opportunity to protest against the political correctness that prevails in Hollywood. It is likely that the people know it, but if you allow it I take the opportunity to refresh the memory. Following the success of "Jurassic Park" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... (take step to recommend two novels about very interesting dinosaurs. Los_que enjoyed "Jurassic Park" will love "Drive" by the English writer Corinna Turner https://www.goodreads.com/series/2217... and if you like dystopias I recommend its dystopian https://www.goodreads.com/series/1839... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... saga and I also recommend the novel by my friend Manuel Alfonseca "after the last dinosaur" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...). But returning again to Munro. But returning again to Munro. Why Hollywood transformed Munro into a mercenary of black race, when he was Caucasian, with moustache:-()? It was also shocking to add characters. For me, it is a pleasure to always enjoy the wonderful performances of Tim Curry in Legend, since it is one of the best villains in the 80's and part of the 90s. But it is that his character did not exist. I guess, to Hollywood that currently seems to fly the theories of Said that white 18-65 year-old man is guilty of all the evils of mankind. I assume, it is very hard to assume, that this role a woman can exercise it without scruples as Karen Ross. Let us be honest here no one immune to original sin regardless of their sex, race, and creed. Back to Munro, although a mercenary, that did butchers in African conflicts in the novel sometimes behaves very well. But to me who liked most has been the gorilla or Gorilla Amy. As I wrote in my review of "Jaws" always I have felt a special predilection for marine bugs https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and vicious animals. I suppose that Chesty referring to "Crimes of the Morgue Street" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... Edgar Allan Poe called it the Idyll of the APE, and it is that you despite their whims. Remember, that it is an animal, and acting instinctively. All Amy is who is better behaved group. I must admit, that the story is very entertaining, and goes from least to most. As I said to Patrick was a shining cross between "King Solomon's mines" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... Crichton which honours, and reach you mention in the book. Let us be honest not seeks to King Solomon's mines, but a legendary civilization called Zinj, who Arabs, Portuguese, and English. The international intrigue of Crichton is correct, but is part of the adventures the lion's share and the most fun. Anyway, here he improved a little, but still getting the leg with the Japanese. I am a lover of Japan, but I doubt that a country with only 120 million people, with a galloping birth crisis, an ageing population is going to be a problem (already committed the same error in "Rising sun") But if it is more sensible to predict the incursion of China in africa. Yes, there was prophetic Michael Crichton. The other book that pays homage not explicit as "King Solomon's mines" is to "Planet of the apes", https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... but I can not tell you the why (to wise abound the) words). Another success is the criticism against the greed, and large multinationals. It is very successful and the end seems to me to be very successful. Perhaps the fault is falling in true scientific, and over data that are wrong. Society has not evolved as Crichton predicted, especially in technology. . Sometimes their raids are very tedious. What Frederick Forsyth is Michael Crichton art sometimes is exhausting. Then gets blunders I still I am looking for the Ragora River, and has crime, which despite being a doctor tell that it could be born a son from the marriage between a man and a gorilla-(.) My friend Manuel Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... is a scientist, and whose blog divulciencia I recommend divulciencia.blogspot.com/ It has found errors in "Jurassic Park" and "The terminal man". That's logical, but I I am a jerk is. It has crime. However, I think, to be benign with Crichton in the end and after as my friend Alfonseca is fun to see how the dinosaurs and other creatures will eat human beings. The function of the novel, which is entertain satisfies ample form. If you are good tomorrow I write another review, but I need to follow with "The legend of the broken sword" of Sergio Araujo Cruz (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... but despite Cronos it'll make finding the time:-).
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Dedicada a Patrick.
Damas y caballeros una vez que he roto el hielo, como un jugador de baloncesto estoy en racha y puedo seguir escribiendo críticas, igual que el jugador de baloncesto sería capaz de encestar tiros libres o triples dónde sea.
Después del fantástico relato de Dean R. Koontz https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... pensé que a los usuarios les gustaría venirse conmigo a adentrarse a la peligrosa selva del Congo con un servidor. Desgraciadamente no podré llevarles al Congo, estoy como se dice en quiebra, pero espero que con mi crítica puedan encontrarse más cerca de su destino.
Michael Crichton ha tenido tantos éxitos, como fracasos aquí pueden tener una lista de mis valoraciones de sus novelas https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... . Siendo las dos que más me gustan “Disclosure” Acoso en Españahttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... (ya que es un tema muy controvertido, que sea la mujer la que acose al hombre, y no al revés), y “Devoradores de Cadáveres” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... que mezclaba brillantemente El cantar del Beowulf https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... con la “Risiada” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... con amistosos Neandertales incluidos :-). Esta novela la empecé siendo de niño, esperando que fuera una segunda “Bizancio” de Stephen R. Lawhead https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... y como me aburría la abandone (por cierto, que jamás encontré una novela tan buena como la de Lawhead, y ya tengo treinta y seis años :-)). Con todo la volví a releer el año pasado, y me lo pase pipa. Se hizó una magnífica película con el gran John McTiernan con Antonio Banderas, y Gudunov, que hubiera sido buena, sino se hubieran quedado sin presupuesto en medio del rodaje. Con todo yo prefiero Outlander, la de Jim Caviezel, y Howard Bain no confundirla con la novela de la señora Diana Gabaldón, a quien presento mis respetos https://www.goodreads.com/series/4394... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Esta novela estaría entre las medianas de Michael Crichton. Trata sobre un grupo de expedicionarios, que desde luego no son la madre Santa Teresa de Calcuta, ni un grupo de bienhechores anónimos, sino gente con pocos escrúpulos Karen Ross es una mujer ambiciosa, que no se detiene ante nada para conseguir lo que quiere. En este caso unos bonitos diamantes, porque eso sí el Congo posee una gran cantidad de recursos naturales. Entre ellos, aunque Crichton no lo cite. El famoso Coltan, aunque en la época en que Crichton escribió “Congo” en la década de los setenta no, se sabía mucho a cerca del mismo. Otro es un científico, que realiza experimentos con primates, que también es bastante tenaz a la hora de conseguir sus objetivos. Luego hay un tercer personaje llamado Munro, que es un pied noir o sea un europeo de raza blanca nacido en áfrica, y que podría haber salido de la novela de Frederick Forsyth “Los perros de la guerra” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... . Aprovecho para protestar contra la corrección política que impera en Hollywood. Lo más probable es que la gente lo sepa, pero sino, si me lo permitís aprovecho para refrescaros la memoria. A raíz del éxito de “Parque Jurásico” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... (aprovecho de paso para recomendaros dos novelas sobre dinosaurios muy interesantes. Los que disfrutaron de “Parque Jurásico” les encantará “Drive” de la escritora inglesa Corinna Turner https://www.goodreads.com/series/2217... y si os gustan las distopías os recomiendo su saga distópica https://www.goodreads.com/series/1839... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... y también os recomiendo la novela de mi amigo Manuel Alfonseca “Tras el último dinosaurio” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ). Pero volviendo otra vez a Munro. ¿Por qué Hollywood transformó a Munro en un mercenario de raza negra, cuando era de raza blanca, además con bigote :-(? También fue chocante, que añadieran personajes. Para mí es un placer siempre disfrutar de las maravillosas interpretaciones de Tim Curry sobre todo en Legend, ya que es uno de los mejores villanos de los 80 y parte de los 90. Pero es que su personaje no existía. Supongo, que Hollywood que actualmente parece enarbolar las teorías de Said de que el hombre blanco de 18-65 años es culpable de todos los males de la humanidad. Doy por sentado, que es muy duro de asumir, que ese rol pueda ejercerlo una mujer sin escrúpulos como Karen Ross. Seamos sinceros aquí no hay nadie inmune al pecado original sin importar su sexo, raza, y credo. Volviendo a Munro, aunque sea un mercenario, que a veces hiciera carnicerías en conflictos africanos en la novela se comporta muy bien. Pero a mí quien más me ha gustado ha sido el gorila, o la gorila Amy. Como escribí en mi crítica de “Jaws” siempre he sentido una especial predilección por bichos marinos https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... y los animales viciosos. Supongo, que Chesty al referirse a “Los crímenes de la calle Morgue”
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... de Edgar Allan Poe lo llamo el Idilio del simio, y es que pese a sus caprichos. Recordemos, que es un animal, y actúa de forma instintiva. Con todo Amy es quien mejor se porta del grupo.
Debo reconocer, que la historia es muy entretenida, y va de menos a más. Como le dije a Patrick era un brillante cruce entre “Las minas del Rey Salomón” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... a la que Crichton homenajea, y la llega a mencionar en el libro. Seamos sinceros no se busca las minas del Rey Salomón, sino una mítica civilización llamada Zinj, que conocieron árabes, portugueses, e ingleses. La intriga internacional de Crichton es correcta, pero es la parte de las aventuras la parte del león y lo más divertido. En fin, aquí mejora un poco, pero sigue metiendo la pata con los japoneses. Yo soy un amante de Japón, pero dudo que un país con sólo 120 millones de personas, con una crisis de natalidad galopante, y con una población envejecida vaya a ser un problema (ya cometió el mismo fallo en “Rising sun”). Aunque si, que está más atinado al predecir la incursión de China en áfrica. Ahí sí, que fue profético Michael Crichton. El otro libro al que rinde homenaje no explícito como “Las minas del Rey Salomón” es a “El planeta de los simios”, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... pero no os puedo decir el por qué (a buen entendedor sobran las palabras). Otro acierto es la crítica contra la codicia, y las grandes multinacionales. Está muy logrado y el final me parece muy acertado. Quizá los fallos es que cae en cierto cientifismo, y encima los datos que da están mal. La sociedad no ha evolucionado como Crichton predice, sobre todo en lo tecnológico. A veces sus incursiones se hacen muy tediosas. Lo que en Frederick Forsyth es arte en Michael Crichton en ocasiones resulta agotador. Luego mete errores de bulto yo todavía estoy buscando el río Ragora, y tiene delito, que pese a ser médico diga que podría nacer un hijo de la unión entre un hombre y un gorila :-(. Mi amigo Manuel Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... que es un científico, y cuyo blog divulciencia os recomiendo divulciencia.blogspot.com/ le ha encontrado errores en “Parque Jurásico” y en “El hombre terminal”. Eso es lógico, pero yo que soy un patán se lo encuentre. Tiene delito. No obstante, creo, que debemos ser benignos con Crichton al final y al cabo como dice mi amigo Alfonseca es muy divertido ver como los dinosaurios, y otras criaturas se comen a los seres humanos. La función de la novela, que es entretener la cumple de forma sobrada.
Si, sois buenos mañana os escribo otra crítica, pero debo seguir con “La leyenda de la espada quebrada” de Sergio Araujo Cruz https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... pero pese a Cronos lograré encontrar el tiempo :-).

Bah!, se deja leer y ya.

Para mi gusto se lía demasiado con los datos (supongo que reales) sobre previsiones tecnológicas de finales de los 70. Hoy esas predicciones están desfasadas y suenan viejunas. Lo mismo nos combarde con datos técnicos sobre gorilas que sobre avance en microelectrónica o en predicciones de tecnología armamentística.

La historia en sí no está mal, pero hay muchas cosas mejores que leer. Llega a las tres estrellas (de milagro) porque me lo he acabado y se lee fácil y con agrado, pero entre lo dicho y lo flojitos personajes pues eso, que no. 4,75/10 y gracias.

8.5/10