Today I finished the novel Jurassic Park written by Michael Crichton. I know, I know, why haven’t I read it before? Well that would be because I have had no time when I remembered to get it from the library and when I had time to get to the library I usually forgot. I expected the book to be significantly different to the book however I was surprised to discover that the book and the movie are in fact more different then I had imagined.I grew up with the movie version of Jurassic Park, even when I learnt of the numerous inaccuracies in the movie I still watched it over and over again to the point where I can now quote most of the movie on demand. I found that although the book carries numerous inaccuracies also, such as the size of Velociraptor mongoliensis and the idea of Dilophosaurus being poisonous (ideas which have been replicated in the movie adaptation); I found myself enjoying the book in a strange way far more then the movie.
I was particularly proud of Crichton's mention of the difference (or lack thereof) between Brontosaurus and Apatosaurus, a point which I am constantly reminding anyone who mentions Brontosaurus of. The novel also contains quite a few viable theories and commonly accepted research. Even after growing up with the movie I found the major diferences between the book and the movie led me to actually enjoy the book as a story which I have never heard before.
On a negative I was so used to the idea that Lex was older then Tim (she is in the movie) that I often found myself confused. Furthermore the book seems to lack the feminist ideas of a teenage FEMALE computer nerd, and the more important role of Dr. Ellie Sattler in the movie, however disregarding these point I found myself genuinely enjoying the book more then i enjoyed the movie. From a girl who cant live without a good book i give this book a 9/10 (although my tastes often vary from others, so not everyone will agree with that).
Well that's all from me today,
Cya guys
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You sound a little like me, when it comes to Jurassic Park. Yeah, I have to say the book was immensely more enjoyable than the movie. However, when it came to Lex, I wask kind of like you, a little confused.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, about the thing with Brontosaurus and Apatosaurus. Remember they are really the same animal. Hopefully, the difference you mentioned is the conflict with the nomenclature.
BTW, glad you liked the book.
You should really read "The Lost World." Not only is it WILDLY different from the movie, and immensely better, but it also has some really strong feminist overtones regarding the lady paleontologist.
ReplyDelete(Michael Crichton died recently, did you know?)
Yes raptor lewis i was refering to the diffence being the fact that there is no difference they are the same animal however apatosaurus is the scienfically correct name
ReplyDeleteOh...sorry. Didn't know, okay. I misinterpreted that. I'm trying to make sure the stuff your telling them is correct. I think it's the way you worded that part that confused me.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that.
ReplyDeletea name is just a name. that's my only beef with palaeontologists (and scientists). sometimes too much effort and fighting goes on with names.
ReplyDeletei liked bakker's take on brontosaurus vs. apatosaurus. they should have kept brontosaurs because people knew it. correcting people about the change (which they caused!) just makes palaeotologists sound like know it alls to some people (and i think they're right)...
glad you enjoyed the book. been a LONG time since i read it myself
Anyone who found Jurassic Park semi credible should read an amazing article published on 8/20/09 by one of the world's leading paleontologists and authors on the sciencs, ethics, and reality of creating a living dinosaur without dino-DNA. This article is very credible and controversial. I have a blog post about it at http://dnadata.wordpress.com. Must reading for anyone into dinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteBob, thanks for the links.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I very interesting read - I picture having a t-rex as a pet! :)
ReplyDeleteI recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I think I will leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
ReplyDeleteI think scientists have argued that much of the book's content is impossible for various reasons, most notably the suggested means of recovering dinosaur DNA from mosquitoes trapped in fossilized tree resin
ReplyDeleteis it something like wideknown the samenamed movie?? if yees - it could be great, I will read it
ReplyDelete