2 stars because something has to be unreadable for me to give a 1. And this was actually enjoyable to read. 3 paragraph chapters. Obscenely accelerated pacing and seemingly outlined like a 90s movie screenplay. Also random characters talking to each other for no reason, like the main character yukking it up with strangers making fun of him at a restaurant and I can only imagine ca. 1995 Jim Carrey acting this way (and despite the randomness of character pairings and crazily omnipotent third person voice it, ironically for the subject matter, never comes near passing the Bechdel test). But reading in 2020 it's just coming off as some meninist bull crap with some Orientalism and hilariously dated technobabble peppered in.

Soooo. 2 stars. But MUST READ. How did I act like Crichton was the shit in the 90s and then pretentiously turn my nose up at Dan Brown in the 00s?

Interesting story, a little heavy on the tech jargon at first but a fast read and very entertaining, much better than the 1994 film version.

A solid read that didn't get lessened by the passing of time.

The To Kill a Mockingbird of the 90s?... no. But still an interesting read.

Someone loaned this to me once and I really wasn't expecting to like it. My expectations were completely dashed after the first chapter. I could not put it down.
A riveting tale of sexual harrassment in the workplace where the man is the victim (yeah, he could have said 'No') of his beautiful boss.
Highly recommended!

Es ging dann doch sehr viel um Korruption und Machtspiele und keiner der Charaktere war annähernd sympathisch

"Дорфман обичаше да повтаря, че ръководителят, който търси съчувствие, не е истински ръководител, а гъба, която попива безполезни неща."

"— Тормозът е властничество — превишаване на властта на висшестоящия спрямо подчинения. Знам модното схващане, че жените по природа се различават от мъжете и никога не биха тормозили подчинен. Но от моята позиция съм виждала какво ли не. Виждала съм и съм чувала невъобразими неща. Едва ли бихте повярвали, ако седна да ги разказвам. Затова гледната ми точка е по-различна. Аз лично не се занимавам с теория. Трябва да работя с факти. А ако се съди от фактите, няма особена разлика в поведението на мъжете и жените. Най-малкото не може да се разчита на подобна разлика."

"И помни, всяка човешка постъпка има причина. Всички постъпки представляват решаване на проблем. Дори твоите, Томас."

"Поведението на Мередит изобщо не можеше да го учуди. Години наред Сандърс се бореше срещу олицетворявания от нея манталитет на бизнесшколите. Хората с дипломи оттам идваха във фирмата и си отиваха, докато накрая Сандърс стигна до окончателния извод, че в образованието им има основна грешка. В университета им бяха втълпили, че са подготвени да се справят с всичко. Но в действителност не съществуват общи управленски умения и похвати. В края на краищата има само конкретни проблеми в конкретни отрасли и с конкретни изпълнители. Прилагаш ли общи средства към конкретните проблеми, неминуемо ще се провалиш. Трябва да познаваш пазара, клиентите, ограниченията на производството и хората, с които работиш. Всичко това не се разбираше от само себе си."

"Досега обществото обръща внимание на проблемите на жертвата, не на обвинените. Но те също имат проблеми. Искът за сексуален тормоз е оръжие, Боб, и срещу него няма надеждна защита. Всеки може да го използва и това често си случва. Според мен ще продължи така известно време."

wow what can I say ? another brilliant book by Michael Crichton !

3.5 stars, OK read.

Micheal Crichton is an ingenious story teller with beautifully crafted plot that revolves around corporate environment in a high-tech company. The one thing about Mr. Crichton's books are his trademark use of technological advancement which he entwines perfectly in the design of his plot.
This book is no different. But one would be skeptical thinking it will be all technological blabber. So wrong!
The most pleasurable thing about reading the book is, it is articulate. All technology is explained in simple conversation which makes the book simple and a really fast read.
But its not just technology; the story is also about sexual harassment by the newly appointed boss Meredith Johnson (also the ex-lover)of Tom Sanders (our protagonist)and the abuse and manipulativeness of executive power in a corporate structure.
The book is 497 pgs but you never know how those pages fly by, so much are you involved in the story. The characters are well defined. But the story in itself is so well build up and spans in duration 4 days.

Gripping, intriguing, provocative and totally a good read.

Loved this. Stayed up late reading it. Corporate intrigue, in depth legal scenes, great pace and writing and an interesting examination of sexual harassment/women in the workplace that still really engaged me despite the book being from 1993. This is my 3rd Crichton novel and I have loved them all.

I was curious about this book for long, because...well, we talk about Michael Crichton, the master of SF. And this book about sexual harassment...from a woman to a man. I have no idea how the story would go. And finally, I have a chance to read it, thx to Mrs. Alie Marie.

Off course this book not talked about the sexual harassment only. Crichton still put technology as the main problem. And one thing amazed me, the whole 498 pages only tell a story of 4 days :D

Bravo, Mr.Crichton. I do adore your works.