For almost three decades, Michael Crichton has wri Essay Example

the California lifestyle: "Sometimes I thought, You've been in California too long...hippie-dippy-airy-fairy stuff" (qtd.in Jaynes 2).Michael Crichton effectively utilizes his exploration of both the mind and the planet to create commercially successful stories. Writing under his given name, Crichton has authored eleven thrilling novels that have all become best-sellers, contributing to his esteemed reputation. The Andromeda Strain, his first novel written while he was still a student, played a crucial role in establishing him as a highly regarded writer despite initially receiving minimal attention at Harvard. This novel revolves around an extraterrestrial virus landing in the remote deserts of New Mexico and follows the scientists who investigate and eliminate it. By subtly referencing alleged alien landings in Roswell and alien studies conducted in Area 51, Crichton captures readers' attention by incorporating this creativity into the narrative and capitalizing on public fascination with aliens. Furthermore, Crichton's background in medicine adds authenticity to the novel through factual information blended with fictional elements, utilizing computer printouts, biological references, and fictional government documents to enhance credibility within the story. Jurassic Park is another renowned work where he showcases his expertise in using knowledge and experience to captivate readers.In the Los Angeles Times Book Review, Andrew Ferguson praises Jurassic Park for its captivating exploration of dinosaurs, DNA research, paleontology, and their consequential impact. Crichton's writing skillfully incorporates factual information into his storylines, exemplified in Jurassic Park where he mentions British researchers James Watson and Francis Crick who discovered the structure of DNA in 1953. This foundation adds credibility to even the most far-fetched plot elements. Crichton's inclusion of scenes featuring paleontologists excavating dinosaur remains and geneticists cloning dinosaurs from blood

found inside an amber-trapped mosquito not only enhances suspense but also highlights his scientific expertise. Similarly, in Eaters of the Dead, inspired by history and based on an ancient manuscript written by Ibn Fadlan—currently displayed at a Viking museum in Oslo, Norway—Crichton weaves a narrative following Fadlan as he joins Norsemen on a mission to combat wendols during the Aneolithic period. These mysterious entities emerge from thick fog and wreak havoc on Norse villages.Fadlan, along with two other members of the war party, survives this ordeal, demonstrating Crichton's skill in creating gripping stories using his extensive knowledge of science and medicine. Drawing inspiration from the renowned epic poem Beowulf, Crichton crafts a novel that closely resembles it. The protagonist in his story, Buliwyf, bears resemblance to Beowulf, and there are many similarities between these two works. Jack Sullivan from the New York Times Book Review praises Eaters of the Dead for its magical elements and swordfighting. This novel marks a change for Crichton as he utilizes his anthropological studies and global travels to present an accurate portrayal of Vikings (emailprotected). Similarly, Crichton uses a historical event to create another bestselling piece of fiction. The Great Train Robbery, loosely based on an actual heist in Victorian England in 1855, receives praise for its authentic representation of Victorian lifestyles. Through this work, readers gain insight into the lives of both impoverished and wealthy individuals. In his writing, Crichton offers an intimate look into the life and criminal activities of mastermind Edward Pierce. He compellingly adopts the perspective of this intelligent upper-class criminal who meticulously plans for every possible obstacle and adjusts accordingly.The main objective of the robbery

was to steal the army payroll, which was about 12,000 pounds worth of gold bullion while it was being transported to Crimea. Michael Crichton incorporates Victorian street slang, such as "caper" (meaning job) and "copper" (meaning policemen), authentically throughout the text. In an article for The New Republic, Doris Grumbach praises Crichton's storytelling authenticity and recognizes his extensive research evident in the step-by-step strategies of a master criminal, appealing to a wide audience. She also acknowledges that The Great Train Robbery provides both entertainment and informative aspects as Crichton includes every detail about the robbery plan, sparking curiosity in readers. Approximately three months later, Pierce is apprehended and found guilty of grand theft before being sentenced to serve time at Newgate Prison in London. However, Pierce manages to escape before reaching Newgate prison, leaving the British government unable to recover their stolen prize. Despite this setback, Pierce's accomplices are never caught, making the robbery a success. With his passion for history and knowledge of other eras, Crichton creates a story filled with mystery and adventure.According to Edward Weeks, a journalist for Atlantic Monthly, The Great Train Robbery is an impressive and skillfully written work that demonstrates Crichton's ability to blend science, technology, and suspense beyond just his novels. Many of his stories have been made into successful films including Jurassic Park (which set box office records), The Lost World, Congo,and Andromeda Strain. It is worth noting that Crichton has directed some of the film adaptations of his books. Despite science fiction readers typically not being interested in historical or purely scientific topics, Crichton's writing style captivates them and immerses them in the story. Readers become

engrossed in Michael Crichton's novels after the initial chapters similar to how people eagerly pay large sums to attend sports events each year. These works transport individuals into their own imagination and hold significant monetary value with millions of dollars generated annually. To maintain authenticity within his work, Crichton incorporates scientific data and historical information through visual aids such as graphs, charts, maps, and computer printouts which contribute to the overall scientific and historical atmosphere present in his novels. In an article for Book World-The Washington Post, Alex Comfort discusses how science fiction has evolved from fulfilling prophetic needs to providing thrills - a trend that can also be seen in Crichton's books.Michael Crichton's works merge apprehension and curiosity, delving into subjects that simultaneously frighten and captivate readers. Themes like space invaders, killers lurking in the mist during sleep, and man-eating dinosaurs tap into our collective fears while igniting our imaginations. Analyzing sales data is crucial to grasp Crichton's true success. Jurassic Park stands as his most popular book, selling nearly 10 million copies. Furthermore, out of the 24 novels he has written thus far, 20 have made it onto best-seller lists (Jaynes 1). Undeniably, Michael Crichton has emerged as a prominent figure in the science fiction genre. His storytelling consistently delivers adventure, knowledge, and excitement whenever these qualities are sought after. Additionally, Congo, Jurassic Park, and The Lost World have all achieved box office success during their respective seasons.