The Terminal Man, a long forgotten sci fi thriller written by Micheal Crichton of Jurassic Park fame. This thriller is engaging and holds up marvelously as another example of man playing god and all the short comings that come with it.

This is a pretty short book and I was able to knock it out on a couple of plane trips. Unfortunately, it was boring. The characters were one dimensional. None of them had any character growth. You know exactly what will happen before you even read the book. I mean, the ending is in the title. This story may have been a thought-provoking horror in the 70s, but it's laughable nowadays. I couldn't take it seriously. This was Crichton's second book he wrote, I think, so just do yourself a favor and read something else.

Short and bleak. Not as well developed or punchy as other his other works.

This one has plenty of medicine/neuroscience/computing-related tid-bits. If only Crichton had lived to see neural networks today. He doesn't make quite big enough stretches in this one, or maybe tech had involved too much with time so it just feels that way.

The best parts are the subtle observations of Elizabeth and how she does things/ reacts/ has moods/ has inconstent or odd brain functions. I think that this is done to point out the inconsistencies of a regular, high-functioning brain, to contrast with Harry's.

The ending is so abrupt and that makes me sad, but what a classic Crichton story. Amazing plot, terrifying accuracy, and a thrilling ending.

I really wish Ross and Anders had a thing, but Crichton doesn’t do romance :(

Dug the vibe. Solid thriller.

Michael Crichton has always written books much ahead of his time, yet it is difficult to believe that this book was first published in 1972. The story revolves around the complications created when machines take control of humans (a precursor of Artificial Intelligence in recent times). Some chapters are spine-chilling especially the conversation between Benson and Dr.Ross at the latter's house, reminds of the conversation in Silence of the Lambs between Judie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. The best part of the book is that it can be finished in 2 - 3 sittings for an average reader, thus proving that thrillers need not really be lengthy and tortuous.

First Michael Crichton courtesy of Mike's Crichton readalong..

This is apparently not Crichton's best work but neither his worst one too..
This book has lot of researched science.. A lot of medical science to be specific and Crichton is known for his scientific research based themes and stories...

The entire first half of this book is the set-up to step up the game in second half.. And when you step into second half, it's non stop action..
Also I am completely astonished by writing style.. I hadn't expected the sci-fi book to be so accessible in writing. Specially for someone like me whose first language is not English..
I appreciate and honor the man greatly for that..

The theme is really thoughtful. What happens when the man starts playing God?
What's the extremity he can reach and the repulsion he face inevitably from fate..

Overall, it's no means a bad book but it's not awesome one too..


n   The Terminal Man is Recommended... n

Read many, many, many, many moons ago. Probs when I was 12.

I was expecting more homicides and psychotic behavior.

Benson was so intelligent and methodical but half of his actions were unexplained. He plotted to escape the hospital after the surgery ahead of time, right. But he didn't seem to have a real objective other than the computer in the hospital. So really, he didn't even need to leave the hospital if that was is main focus.

Continuing my Michael Crichton journey, I moved on to The Terminal Man. I particularly enjoyed one aspect of this book - Michael Crichton's own knowledge on the subject matter. One of the reasons I enjoy his novels so much is the extensive amount of research that goes into every novel he writes, but where his information on dinosaurs comes second-hand, the same does not apply to medical knowledge. Crichton attended Harvard Medical School, among others, and thus his medical work seeps its way into The Terminal Man and creates a new level of authenticity.

The Terminal Man is about a man who is receiving an experimental medical procedure to correct a brain condition that causes violent bursts. To nobody's surprise, he escapes holding and goes on some violent bursts. Chaos ensues, etcetera, etcetera.

Overall, the story is fun to read. While it was not the best one I have read by him (that prize I would give to Sphere), I am happy to have checked another box off my Michael Crichton journey. I also look forward to watching the movie based on this one.

Ok

review to come