A Case of Need by Michael Crichton
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Book Reviews of A Case of Need
Book Review: Interesting, informative and a look into its age
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was written in the late 1960s (copyright is 1968) when the author had just finished his own medical internship. As such, it is not at all surprising that it is somewhat medically dense, nor is it surprising that there are footnotes and appendices (which were commonly used during that time and to which people were accustomed, unlike now when, if we don't know, we either don't want to know or we want it covered in the text). I also found it a fascinating look at the 1960s - the language itself threw me for the first couple chapters until I went back and looked at the copyright page and then I said "oooohhh, 1960s - that's OK then." People need to not get so upset about things that have changed - what was acceptable 40+ years ago isn't now - OK, we get that. MOVE ON already and don't trash a book because of it! The fact that the main character of the pathologist RECEIVED PERMISSION FROM HIS BOSS to take off the time necessary to try to clear his colleague has apparently been lost on some readers, who nonetheless become upset over other minor details they feel the writer or editor missed. Nitpicking apart a book is not the way to enjoy it!
At any rate, I digress. I had this book sitting around for quite some time before I pulled it out and read it. Like others have mentioned, I need to be in the right mood for Crichton. This book was very well done, especially if - as one reviewer says - it was his first book. I think I was well past the half-way point before I had an inkling of who may have been involved, but I figured out only half of the team, so to speak! Like Dr. Berry himself, I became overly wrapped up in all the details and missed the larger picture. But, I suppose, that is the point. I think the book was wonderfully done and I enjoyed the appendices a great deal. I have a bit of knowledge of medical terminology, so I didn't need all of the footnotes, but I found some of them necessary (and there were places where others would have been helpful!). Nonetheless, this was a well-done book that examined a very sensitive topic (then AND now) from a, I believe, very well-balanced point of view.
Book Review: Entertaining and Consciousness-Raising
Summary: 5 Stars
Crichton focuses his microscope on the medical profession in this story of a butchered abortion performed on the daughter of a prominent Boston physician. John Berry is a Boston pathologist who has been helping to cover up the illegal abortions performed by a Dr. Arthur Lee. When Lee is arrested for murder, Berry has to unravel the case before the consequences of his own actions catch up with him. There's a lot of the technical medical terminology that Crichton has made popular on the hit TV show "ER", and a lot more of the serious analysis of the moral dilemmas that face medical practitioners in the real world, particularly as they relate to abortion. Like "ER" this is not science fiction, but a very compelling story (actually a murder mystery) informed by substantial scientific knowledge. (Crichton was a medical student at the time this novel was written). As such, there is no speculation here, just the facts as Crichton sees them, in the context of a juicy potboiler that includes licentiousness and loose living among the rich and privileged. The end result is a thoroughly compelling can't-put-it-down page-turner that seems certain to please a mass audience.The down side is that apart from the (admittedly even-handed) discussions on abortion, there really isn't any substance to this novel. The characters are pretty generic, and only the hero really manages to make any claim on our sympathy. Mystery lovers are sure to enjoy this book, as are fans of "ER", but science fiction fans should not be expecting to find any far-out ideas here. Very entertaining, but not mind-boggling, this book will raise your consciousness about the abortion issue. Just don't expect a whole lot more from it.
Book Review: Excellent for his First Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
This was Michael Crichton's first novel, completed after he finished his internship for medical school (that's right, for those who do not know he is an MD who decided to become an author). Anyway, Crichton does it again with his near flawless style. This book is about a girl by the name of Karen Randall who dies from an abortion. Was it murder? Or, was it a simple mistake? Keep this in mind as you turn the pages over and over again. Though Crichton does not have great character development, I thought the main character (Dr. Berry) had excellent development. Also, this book contains a lot of footnotes and medical information, so you might not understand it all. Overall, pick this book up. It is well-written, and you know the facts are right because he wrote right after he became an MD! One thing I must say, it was written a long time ago. Keep in mind what time period it is. Good job, once again, Michael.Book Review: It was the _______ who did it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this was a good book, which was dated, yet dealt with an important topic yesterday as it is today; abortion. It was well written and easy to read. Actually had trouble putting it down. If you are strictly anti-abortion you may not like this book, if you're able to put that aside you may like it. I did slam nurses though and I didn't like that aspect of the book. Given the times when it was written, nurses were really looked down upon. Unfortunately many of those stereotypical misconceptions from the point of view of the doctor still carry over today 37 years later. Also brought up the unwritten law of medicine, never to turn against your brother MD no matter how incompetent and dangerous they practice. Another code still largely unbroken today.Book Review: Top of his game!
Summary: 5 Stars
Crichton's first book is fantastic - intriguing throughout. If you're a Crichton, murder mystery or even just a medical fiction fan, this is for you. I have no training in medicine, yet he makes it all very understandable! It's a "must read!"