Next Review

A coworker lent me Michael Crichton's Next a few days ago.  I'm a biology teacher and find the topic of genetic engineering fascinating, so she knew that the book was right up my alley.  I read it over the course of a week and would definitely recommend it to others.

Next follows many characters who work in the field of genetics, use medical and genetic technology in an attempt to stay alive, and/or live with transgenic or hybrid animals.  To be honest, I had some difficulty keeping track of everyone at first.  The author was still adding characters and layers to the plot up into the 10th chapter.  I felt overwhelmed and was about to start a list to remember who was who and how they were connected to other characters in the story.  Eventually I had it all mapped out in my mind and was able to read the book without confusion.

It is difficult to describe the plot of the book.  Each of the characters has his own thing going on (involved in a lawsuit, studying a transgenic animal, tracking down someone with "stolen cells", trying to live with a half-human, etc.) and the stories do tend to cross paths throughout the book.  Although the field of genes and genetic research is extremely complex, anyone can read Next and understand what the author is talking about. 

I found this book to be very interesting and entertaining.  I read it at bedtime each night over the course of the week.  I liked the fact that it presented so many scenarios which made me really think and develop an opinion about them.  Those who have never given much thought to gene patenting or what happens to tissues after they are removed from the body will definitely finish Next with some kind of opinion on the matter.  Highly recommended!