Next by Michael Crichton

I just finished reading Michael Crichton's Next. He is one of the few authors whose work I've loved without exception. I've always read his novels from cover to cover in a single gasp and I've only ever employed a book mark when interrupted for meals. In short, I love his work. Terminal Man remains one of my favourite books of all time (although I haven't seen my (dad's) copy in years) and his other books (including the now-cliched Jurassic Park) are all just great. Every one of them is a great read.

For Next, Crichton's broken up the formula a little and his book is more like a novel of our times. Chapters are Dan Brown short, they're rudely interrupted by 'news pieces' that usually quote a brainless celebrity or two and the effect is pretty devastating.

For those of us, who have always loved the man's work, Next, is quite at odds with the more story-telling style I've come to love. On the other hand, the novel has lost none of Crichton's grasp on science, its leading edge and the triumphs, tragedies and transgressions that come with treading that fine line. It includes all of the complexity of emerging technology, and the inability of our social systems to incorporate them as fast as they come up. In short, it's still a good read. Oh, the book is about genetic engineering. Get your copy today.