Micro by Michael CrichtonMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
OK, let's get something straight here because some have given this novel very low ratings because they're expecting something another The Andromeda Strain or Jurassic Park, this is neither - it's pure adventure science fiction typical of pulp magazines from the 1950's. Some have compared this book with the movie Honey I Shrunk the Kids, but it's more like a long episode of Land of the Giants. And yes, the writing is not prime Crichton, largely because this was finished after his death by Richard Preston, a fine writer but I admit that the prose feels clunky at times.
The story tries hard to give scientific plausibility to the proceedings but the real objective here is the adventure aspects, where diminutive insects become fearsome monsters. The antagonists are pure two dimensional villains, an evil corporation that will use the shrinking tech for their own greedy ends. The characters do tend to go on speeches describing the various characteristics of the insect life they encounter and at times it reads like a professor giving a lecture, but the story does move along quite swiftly so I'll let that pass.
If you like your techno-thrillers mixed with old school adventure yarns, this is for you. If you're looking for hard SF, look elsewhere.
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