The Andromeda Evolution

This is emphatically not — in any way — a novel by Michael Crichton, even though the publisher has spread Crichton’s name across half the cover and then put it, brazenly, on the title page as well. This book can’t even claim to be based upon any sketches, notes, or napkin scribbles the author made for any kind of sequel to his Andromeda Strain. I confess to buying it with fond hopes, but am saddened (and a bit angry) to say after reading it that it’s a thoroughly bad book; one that (as the reader learns in the closing pages) was in fact apparently a collaborative effort, put together by a writer who was selected after Crichton’s death by his (fifth) wife, whom he had married in his final years. (In an afterword, Sherri Crichton thanks writer Daniel H. Wilson for his “collaborative spirit,” and writes of “collaborat[ing] with” him on it. Wilson was, as it happens, not even born until several years after The Andromeda Strain was published.) And while Mr. Wilson may know something of robotics, he does not possess Crichton’s Harvard medical background; and the Andromeda Strain is, of course, a fictional meditation upon a *biological* crisis, not a robotical one. The book begins with some promise, as Wilson apes some of Crichton’s pseudo-documentary style; but Wilson has, alas, neither Crichton’s literary skills nor his psychological grasp of humans and their limitations. As this lamentable book progresses, it resembles Crichton less and less, and becomes more and more Edgar Rice Burroughs of the feverish “Barsoom" pulp stories, until finally our cartoonish super-hero protagonist is zipping up (and then down) a space elevator to battle a humanoid mutant in outer space. Hmm. Mr. Wilson writes of how his sequel “unfolded along the same fault lines of human hubris” as The Andromeda Strain. He should have quietly refolded those fault lines and instead studied the mirror for the fount of “human hubris.” Avoid.

Refreshing to read hard science fiction done well. Nice plot twist and well written. Worthy of a higher price.

Too scientific and abstract

It was worth reading

If you read Scientific American and do well at Jeopardy, you will really enjoy this book. If you prefer comic books and cartoons, don’t buy it. This story is a sequel to The Andromeda Strain with a different premise. Crichton’s writing style isn’t for everyone but I couldn’t put it down.

I loved the original. Too much detail, some seemingly accurate, some ridiculous. First time I gave up on a book and couldn’t finish it.

Very good follow up to the first book, I loved it. Leaves you definitely wanting more!!!

This author takes over Michael Crichton in an absolutely interesting novel. A group of 4 scientists go to the Amazon rainforest study an anomaly. What occurs during and after is mind boggling. The research for this book is unbelievable and everything is described in Crichton style. You’ll be wondering if this is real. The hypotheses are “astronomical “ and the characters are believable. You’ll be surprised at the ending, but it’s not a shock. You’ll just suspect what’s hoping to happen. Read it...I couldn’t stop

Good story, 15 bucks for a novella is a bit steep. Still liked it though.

An incredible nonstop thriller of a read! Daniel H Wilson did an amazing job channeling his “inner Crichton” and recreated Crichton’s style and methods in a beautiful manner that would do M.C. proud!