Michael Crichton

[St Landrew]

Came as a bit of a surprise to find the authour died recently. I've never been his biggest fan, as I've always felt that, whilst reading his books [admittedly only 3 of them] I've felt he's had one eye on the screenplay. Timeline and another lesser known book about coverups inside an aircraft company - Airframe, both read that way. As someone who likes a story to unfold, it puts one off a bit. So it comes as no surprise then that Crichton used to write screenplays too.

 

But there's no doubt that Crichton's books are readable, unlike IMO, another multi-million dollar author who writes about a boy magician. But he was never a Dickens. Then again, Crichton being an intelligent bloke, it strikes me he wouldn't want to be compared to Dickens either.

[Roman]

But he did write and direct Westworld, which to my mind counts as his best work.

[Scummer]

He also created ER.

[jeff leopard]

But he did write and direct Westworld, which to my mind counts as his best work.

 

I utterly and categorically agree, a lot

 

Jurassic Park is fun but seems rather hollow and bombastic compared to Westworld, which did the whole future theme park out of control thing so much better.

 

Put Yul Brynner's Gunslinger up against a bunch of big cgi lizards and I know who my money's on.

 

Its easy to forget that Michael Crichton was a decent director to boot.

[the stain]

Came as a bit of a surprise to find the authour died recently. I've never been his biggest fan, as I've always felt that, whilst reading his books [admittedly only 3 of them] I've felt he's had one eye on the screenplay. Timeline and another lesser known book about coverups inside an aircraft company - Airframe, both read that way. As someone who likes a story to unfold, it puts one off a bit. So it comes as no surprise then that Crichton used to write screenplays too.

 

But there's no doubt that Crichton's books are readable, unlike IMO, another multi-million dollar author who writes about a boy magician. But he was never a Dickens. Then again, Crichton being an intelligent bloke, it strikes me he wouldn't want to be compared to Dickens either.

 

I can only hope my own life is as fondly remembered.

 

But he did write and direct Westworld, which to my mind counts as his best work.

 

Agreed.

[LVSaint]

But he did write and direct Westworld, which to my mind counts as his best work.

 

Not read it but the film is great enough. Saw the sequel recently, name evades me (Futureworld?), featuring Peter Fonda and Gweneth Paltrow's mum, which was appalling.

 

Didn't realise just how much screenwriting he was responsible for. Sad at only 66.

[Ponty]

A more roller-coaster writer (in terms of quality) has surely never existed.

 

Saying that, most of his stuff was good holiday type pulp fiction.

 

Dare I say, a Jack of all trades?