This is a smart science-based thriller about the ethical and legal issues surrounding genetic engineering. Crichton manages to cram so much material and thought into this book, that I'm almost shocked it's still a page-turner, but it is. The characters are absolutely believable, and the situations are frighteningly believable. Many of the questions addressed here are already drifting into our court-systems, and I'm sure some of the others are sure to follow. Yet, at heart, this is an intelligent novel that entertains even as it drives thought--I can't recommend it highly enough if you're interested in either the subject or the genre. There's also plenty of humor in the book, which is a welcome addition to the action and suspense. For animal lovers, especially, this will provide plenty of smiles. My only warning? This is a book that you need to read relatively quickly, whatever that is for you. There are so many different sub-plots and characters that you can't just drift through this one over the course of two or three weeks while reading other books on the side---though, really, the book will probably hook you quickly enough that you won't Want to put it down.

Yet, I do have some qualms that make it a less-than-five-star read, for two small reasons that don't really detract from the book in the end, Depending on you subjective take on what you want to gain from reading and your taste. First, there are So many sub-plots, that at times I was frustrated at how they'd all fit together. Yet, Crichton never let go of the ones that held the most interest, and balanced them admirably. Once I'd finished the book, considered the work as a whole, and given some thought to the title, I was satisfied with the structure and just decided to reread it at some later date if I have time--still, it was at times an inkling of an annoyance as to how it would all come together in the end.

Second, Crichton does have an agenda here. He did extensive research, and there's a "for further reading bibliography" at the end of the book that gives the proof, along with a short essay-like list of Crichton's post research conclusions on the questions he explores. For me personally, this is a welcome addition to the book, but then, I like books that make me think. If you're looking for a thriller that you can pick up and put down, reading it without letting it affect your thinking or drive you to consider larger contemporary issues facing our society, this may not be the best book for you. For me, again, I think it was well done, and makes this an intelligent book, but I realize others are looking to solely escape reality with their reading...and for them, this may not be quite sci-fi enough or live up to Jurassic Park, though I'd say it surpasses the earlier works that I've read.

In the end, if you're interested, I recommend it, but with the understanding that it's not for everyone, as described above. ( )

This book is based around the Genetics Industry and how everyone of the companies is trying to be the first with the miracle cure to the diseases of the world.

Unfortunately the reason behind it though for the companies is not the glory of helping mankind but the money they would make on the sales of the products and the pantents.

The story is loosely based around the company called BioGen who own the Burnett line. DNA from someone who they cured of cancer and from this used his cells to create the next big selling drug.

At the same time as this we follow seperate stories where tests have been carried out on Parrots and Chimps so that they gain the chance to talk and act as normal human beings (the latter in the case of the Chimp. But no one wants to bring this forward as the radical finding it is as it was all done in secrecy and illegally.

The strands come together when the Burnett line is destroyed by an investor who thinks that the control is has over the company will be diminished if this new line succeeds as planned. All of which leads to Frakn Burnett going into hiding and the BioGen company sending Bounty Hunters to chase down his daughter and grandson. The reasoning being if they owned his DNA/cells then they also own those of the Daughter and Grandson. And they were going to get them at any cost.

A good book and an easy read. And totally believable to be honest. You could see this happening even if the morals behind the companies thinking were dubious. But when money is involved............. ( )

Science fiction doesn't normally do it for me, but I absolutely adored Michael Crichton's Next. His story lines managed to strike the perfect balance between fiction and fact, and created a fast paced, enjoyable read which was still informing and thought provoking.
Although some storylines were a tad on the unrealistic side, the facts and research behind them still checked out, and they left intact the real-life issues behind them. Yes, the novel was at times slightly unbelievable, but it was this side of the story which turned it into such an enjoyable read. ( )

Generally I enjoy quasi-realistic science-fiction works, but I couldn't find much quasi-realistic in this novel. Even though I'm no expert in genetics, the science and situations described in this book were unrealistic and I couldn't feign to believe them enough to enjoy the story (which wasn't all that great either). ( )

I thought this book was very entertaining, however it was really hard to follow. There were too many stories going on at once, though they all kept my attention. There really was not a dull moment in this book. Right from the very beginning I found it to be a hard book to put down. The ideas discussed in the story were interesting because one day they might happen. Even right now, some of the moral issues in the story are being talked about in real life. The relationships between the all of the characters in the story are very real. Also the connections between the characters fit together nicely, and of course that helped combine some of the stories. So there weren't so many and they weren't so overwhelming. I found Gerard (the talking parrot's) story the most entertaining. It was a perfect combination of seriousness and humor. I have read books like this before and I feel that a story like this could very easily become predictable, however this one did not. Some of the endings did disappoint me a little. They weren't very clear and there was more than one way to read them. This may just be one of those books that you have to read more than once to completely understand it. Overall, I really enjoyed it, and might want to read it again in the future. ( )