I'm a woman, and I read this in high school and it thoroughly convinced me that abortion should always be legal and easily accessible to everyone who wants one. ( )

A Case of Need is a 1968 Michael Crichton novel initially released under the pseudonym Jeffery Hudson and re-released under Crichton’s given name in 1993. Though I love Jurassic Park and Twister, I haven’t ever read this author's work. A Case of Need was written during Mr. Crichton’s time in medical school and, as an early work, comes across as unnecessarily clinical and a bit rough. There are dozens of characters—almost a new one each chapter—and a lot of cardboard descriptions. The prose is okay, but takes some getting used to, and I can’t imagine how confusing it might be for someone who knows zero medical jargon. The story evolves slowly and is more of a statement about the medical community protecting their own and the antiquated beliefs of the times than anything to do with the death being investigated by, of all things, a pathologist, whose intention is to free his innocent friend from jail. There are numerous footnotes throughout, which feel strangely out of place in fiction.

I picked up A Case of Need because I enjoy medical fiction, only I couldn’t have guess what the book was about from its blurb. I blame the pre-Roe v Wade timeframe and perhaps outdated industry precaution for the vague marketing description. “When a surgical procedure goes wrong…” The premise of A Case of Need is that a prominent physician’s daughter hemorrhages to death following a “botch abortion” performed by clandestine abortionist, Dr. Art Lee, a man of Asian descent who represents only a fraction of the prejudice expressed in this book, which comes across as both sexist and racist (an African-American attorney is referred to as a “freak” for being an “educated negro”). I had to keep reminding myself that the culture being represented throughout was that of the 1960’s affluent Boston rather than present-day.

Overall, A Case of Need is a fast read. Despite its ridiculous number of characters, the central plot is enough to propel the book forward. Who performed the abortion? And why, if the victim wasn’t even pregnant? I enjoyed the pathologist’s investigation, even if it seems ludicrous that this man abandoned his lab in favor of harassing fellow practicing physicians and their families in order to free a wrongfully-accused colleague. I liken A Case of Need to an episode of the television show, The Knick, for more reasons than just the big reveal. I wasn’t thrilled with the resolution, but if you like medicine, you might like this book, if you can take it for what it is: a quasi-interesting, early novel that doesn’t quite stand up to the test of time.

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Great book. I'm always amazed (and envious) when I see how young some of my favorite authors were when they wrote some books I have loved. I think Michael was 26 when he wrote this. It doesn't fit into my head that I could write like this when I was 26. I don't think I could write like this now.
Anyway, a good thriller, good pace, intriguing case, good research and explanations. To me, it feels like a bit of a trick, because I think the reader could never guess for sure who was the culprit.
Well, it's a pleasure to read Michael Crichton. ( )

It is so interesting to read a book from 1968 - and other then some language issues- feel as if you're reading a book written today. Abortion is still such a hot button issue and it's so interesting to see how little the issue has evolved. The book flowed eloquently and made me want to keep going until I reached the conclusion. ( )

How could I give Michael Crichton four stars? How could I, a nobody, give the great, fantastic, man-who-mesmerizes-the-entire-world four stars? He was a nobody at the time he wrote this book as well. It is a good story and well deserves the four stars it gets -- "4-Stars The book accomplished all of its storytelling goals." Re: Current abortion laws: 1) Procedures are still being performed by doctors by those who can afford to pay and by nonprofessionals for those who can't; 2) Professionals are imprisoned and practices ruined but this will not stop abortions. It was a fleshed out morality tail. It was good and a foreshadowing of things to come. ( )