The Lost World
Ratings192
Average rating3.7
Plot inconsistencies, resurrections, science lies, and human flaws aside, this is a fun and riveting read and I recommend it to anyone.
Oh, ok, it only took me three months to read this. The book was good, I've just been too tired and kept going to sleep instead of reading. My only criticism is that I didn't like the way this whole story resolved in like the last 6 pages.
Some good moments but mostly sentimental
So I saw both the first movies before reading this and the original Jurassic Park book. Both are quite different from the films and so that makes me feel conflicted as I loved both of the movies.
I do like the philosophical bits by Malcolm and some of the more science-based explanations behind the dinosaur behaviour and such though.
It's written relatively well, not mind-blowing, but easy to read which I guess is good writing.
If you've read the first or seen both films, I'd give this a read as its fun to see the differences and how Michael Crichton intended the story to be told.
BLUF: Try reading the first chapter. If you can get through the lecture without finding it tedious, you may enjoy this book. If you can't, well, it doesn't get any better from there.
I think this book...
...has few similarities with the movie.
This is actually a good thing. There is a scene or two that is similar from the movie, but that's it.
... is fine to read as a standalone.
You don't need to read the first book in order to understand this book.
...is descriptive, but not about things we care about.
Lost World is filled primarily with the long-winded lectures/rambles by one of the main characters Malcolm.
... is lacking a good story line.
You start with the character introductions. Then it moves to a character getting lost/stuck/needing help on an island.One story line turns into a rescue mission. The rescue mission falls apart when said character ends up not wanting to be rescued from the island. They seem to hang out a bit, in awe naturally, of what is going on around them, but don't seem to care much about leaving the island.You have another story line develop around a group of people who tracked the above character to the island, and seem interested in collecting dinosaur eggs for some reason. These characters are presumed to be the bad guys, but they don't interact enough with their counterparts to really add to the story.
...is lacking normal character emotions?
There is some awe and some fear in the book, but not as much as I would expect. This may be my apathy for the book talking though.
This was good! I actually enjoyed the sequel but the end kinda devolved more into an action/adventure instead of a sci fi thriller and I'm not as into that.
Also, it dragged on a bit too much. Just too long.
Not as good as the first, not as exciting, I wasn't as invested in the characters.
What a great time I had reading this book!
There are a few similarities with book 1 in the way certain scenes are executed, but as a whole, this was a very nice sequel that kept my attention and had me theorising relentlessly.
The one thing I'm disappointed about is that Dr. Levine didn't get eaten on the island. I would've liked nothing more than to see some regret in this jerk's eyes.
A great follow up to Jurassic Park. I liked this almost as much as the original. Really enjoyed the numerous Ian Malcolm theories and explanations. Highly recommended.
Dinosaurs were fun... characters not so much. Didn't like the movie that much either so...shrug.
"The Lost World" is a mixed bag. While it offers more of the dinosaur-filled adventure fans crave, it falls short in maintaining the depth and consistency of character that made its predecessor a classic. The book feels like it's trying to juggle too many elements—action, philosophy, and character development—without fully committing to or excelling in any. For readers who loved "Jurassic Park," this sequel might leave them wanting more from their favorite characters, particularly Malcolm, whose transformation feels more like a regression. This novel is worth reading for its setting and the continuation of the dinosaur saga but with the caveat that it doesn't quite live up to the original's legacy in terms of character depth and narrative coherence. Not to mention inconsistencies from novel one to novel two, i.e. compys bite and saliva potency. If you're looking for a thrilling adventure with dinosaurs, you'll find it here, but if you're here for the continuation of a beloved story and characters with their evolution, you might find yourself disappointed. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. A decent follow-up that, while entertaining, doesn't quite roar with the same ferocity as its predecessor.
I know that Michael Crichton was pressured into writing this book due to the huge success of the Jurassic Park movie. Now, why in the world did they force them to write it if they only took literally one scene from the entire book for the second movie?? And Sarah's character was such a badass, she was totally toned down for the movie >:(