Congo (Michael Crichton)

I read this book a couple of years before the movie came out, and I have got to say that this novel is head and shoulders above the movie. I loved it! I know that many people have hated the movie, and this novel was incredible! I wish people would give more credit to the writer before the movie studios have a chance to ruin a good script. If you have enjoyed Crichton's previous scripts, you will love this one! Have fun!

I enjoyed this book. Relatively short, fairly intense, and pretty scary in parts. Avoid the movie, please.

I have to admit: I'm now a full-on Michael Crichton junkie, since he and Robin Cook have really nailed the one type of book that I think scares adults consistently, which is the techno-thriller. There's something out there we don't understand... our technology has failed... we're going to have to understand the science before we can destroy it and life can resume as normal. It's a little bit too serious for some, but Crichton makes it palatable. You will need read for depth of characters, as these characters are like animated cutouts motivated entirely by the synopsis of their characters presented at the start of their first appearance in the book, but the scenarios are terrifying and the writing gripping because it is sparse, to the point, and scientifically informed. In this case, the book not only handles mystery well, but makes some pointed investigations into where humans and apes are the same, and where we differ. This may be my favorite Crichton since "The Andromeda Strain."

As an Anthroplogy student I have a particular fondness to this book. I love the story and the action is intense. The book is lengthy but you will finish it in a few sittings, it's that good!

I completely disagree with irishgit here. While it may not be his best, I think Congo is probably one of Crichton's top five books. (Yes, the movie was terrible.) I have read almost all of Crichton's books (I haven't read a few of his older more medically oriented books), but I think that the Great Train Robbery is easily Crichton's worst book.

The plot line was written well, along with the charater discriptions and overall flow to the story. UNFORTUNATELY there seems to be a misunderstanding within the cover about if the author is part of the story or not. One paragraph he will be talking in the 1st person then the next paragraph its in the 3rd person. I was confused but definately a good book to read.

Backup Lost City expedition, with gorilla. An archaeological and exploitative expedition gets wiped out, and the company this happened to wants to find out why. A young primate expert and her star pupil: a rather intelligent gorilla included, they take what they hope are enough high tech toys for them to survive their monster encounter. An ordinary sort of scary adventure story, really. 2.5 out of 5

Ludicrous. Probably Crichton's worst book.

It wasn't that bad. This is the only one of Crichton's works I have read and I heard that this is one of his weaker books. The characters weren't that good, and the premise was farfetched, but this an enjoyable read.

Can anyone actually take this book seriously?

No ending

A superb premise, but I was a little disappointed in the ending. I thought making the apes the killers was too easy to figure out.

This book is another amazing one by Crichton. Crichton, using his old tons-of-information-on-the-subject trademark, takes the reader on a wild adventure through the Congo rain forest. Many people do not know that Amy is based on a real gorilla called Koko. Anyway, I think this has got to be Crichton's second best novel(right behind Jurassic Park). I reccomend it to anyone who enjoyed JP or Sphere, or has an interest in gorillas or the rain forest.