Today was the first time I went back to Michael Crichton's website since his passing, and I was treated to some great news. HarperCollins plans to release two more books by him. One of them was discovered in his files, while the other one will be developed from his notes and files.
I was truly saddened by the loss of this man, so this is indeed great news.
5 years ago
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7 comments:
Brian,
I often wonder whether posthumous books are a good idea. Did he hide them away because he knew they weren't any good? Plus, I can't help but think this is a little ghoulish greed on the part of the publishers.
Nate,
You raise some good points, as always. Though it sounds like with the one book he just never put the finishing touches on it, because he was writing it at or around the same time as Next, which was his "last" book, and which was probably during the time he was very ill.
I also wonder if the editors will be able to reproduce his voice and overall Crichton-ness with the other novel, which sounds like it's only a bunch of notes and files right now.
Yeah, you're probably right that it's ghoulish greed, but I'm stoked there'll be two more Crichton books I can read, even if not on a par with his previous works.
Hmm I'm worried about the one they found on the computer. The Salmon of Doubt was no masterpiece.
Adrian,
Yeah and from what I hear The Silmarillion wasn't very good either.
Then of course you have things like A Confederacy of Dunces.
Nate - so is it only OK to buy posthumous novels when they're a birthday gift?
I enjoyed the Salmon of Doubt, but mostly because it was more stuff written by Douglas Adams, and not because it was anywhere near the quality of the Hitchhiker's Guide series. So for fans, publishers, and probably the estate, I'd say posthumous novels are a good idea, but for the integrity of the author's legacy, maybe not so much.
And since Crichton's name is in the credits of so many awful movies, it's possible that his legacy isn't as big of a concern.
Nick,
Come on, the film adaptation of Congo was a masterpiece.
But seriously, JP was awesome and The Andromeda Strain (original movie, not the miniseries remake) was excellent. Sphere was a decent film but nowhere near as good as the book.
I haven't seen Timeline, but that's b/c I've heard only bad things about it.
Don't say anything bad about The 13th Warrior, because you might piss Nater off.
I don't think there's anything wrong with posthumous publication. I just hope I get to see more of mine um ... prehumously.
Remember, I'm a huge fan of "The Trial" which Kafka didn't want to see the light of day. Good thing for me his friend ignored his dying wish.
And I haven't seen "Thirteenth Warrior" in years and years. Though I do remember it, and the book, being pretty good.
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