Michael Crichton Trivia – 10/22/11

Michael Crichton Trivia – 10/22/11

On his blog, Richard Preston said that Micro will contain two maps. What other Michael Crichton novels contain maps?

Last week’s trivia question:

What do the novels Eaters of the Dead (1976), Rising Sun (1992), and Prey (2002) have in common?

Cdmeredith correctly answered, “They are all written in first person.”

Here’s an informative essay on writing in first person.

Micro UK Video Trailer and Excerpt

The marketing department at Harper Collins UK sent me the link for a video trailer for Micro. There’s also a 10-page excerpt of the novel.



I am happy to note that the UK release is on Nov. 22, the same date as the US. Two years ago, I threw a minor hissy fit when Pirate Latitudes was released in the UK and Europe eight days before being released in the US.

32 days until the release of Micro.

Richard Preston on Micro

Richard Preston, who completed Michael Crichton’s unfinished novel Micro, has been blogging about the project. He’s written four posts so far, and I’ve commented on three of them. There are no comments from anyone yet, so I’m assuming my comments are in comment moderation limbo for the time being. For my readers, I’m posting my comments here.

June 8, 2011
I’m working on Micro

Right now I’m polishing the final draft of MICRO. Should have it done in a few days. This has been a fun ride.

My comment:

I’m looking forward to reading Micro. When I heard that another writer would be finishing Michael Crichton’s final novel, I racked my brain thinking of who would be a good match. When your name was announced, I thought, “Perfect”. I didn’t think of you (even though I have admired your work for a long time and own several of your books) because you’ve written more nonfiction than fiction. But I realized that’s what made you a great fit to this project.

July 1, 2011
Added a scene

I’m polishing the manuscript for Micro, working with my editor at HarperCollins. I just added a “whoa!” scene — some cool visuals at a certain moment in the story.

For me, this kind of tinkering is one of the most fun parts of writing. The book’s almost done and looking good, and now I get to cherry it up.

My comment:

One thing that you and Michael Crichton share is the ability to write excellent descriptions.

August 2, 2011
Jacket cover available

HarperCollins has just released the jacket of MICRO. Here it is.

My comment:

The UK edition book cover has been released as well.
http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Titles/49927/micro-michael-crichton-richard-preston-9780007350032

September 27, 2011
Maps in MICRO

We’re putting two maps in MICRO. With hand-drawn topography by a great cartographer. Just finalizing the maps today. I’ve hidden a tiny Latin inscription in one of the maps. Had to check my Latin with Princeton professor to make sure I got it right. Fortunately I did. This is the fun part of publishing.

More on Richard Preston soon.

Michael Crichton Trivia – 10/15/11

Michael Crichton Trivia – 10/15/11

What do the novels Eaters of the Dead (1976), Rising Sun (1992), and Prey (2002) have in common?

Last week’s trivia question:

It’s well-known that Michael Crichton graduated from Harvard Medical School. Where did he get his undergraduate degree and what was his major?

Bonus question: in what specialty did Crichton get his medical degree?

Steven correctly answered “Anthropology undergrad from Harvard” Crichton graduated summa cum laude with a degree in physical anthropology.

My Dec. 2009 post on a radio interview with Crichton’s longtime agent, Lynn Nesbit, noted that Nesbit revealed that Crichton’s medical degree from Harvard was in psychiatry.

Michael Crichton Trivia – 10/08/11

Michael Crichton Trivia – 10/08/11

It’s well-known that Michael Crichton graduated from Harvard Medical School. Where did he get his undergraduate degree and what was his major?

Bonus question: in what specialty did Crichton get his medical degree?

Last week’s trivia question:

Carrie White begins her book with a few epigraphs, something that Crichton did with his books. The last epigraph for Upper Cut reads:

It is not easy to cut through a human head with a hacksaw.
--Michael Crichton


Who can tell me the significance of the Crichton quote?

Charles Epting correctly answered “Opening line of Travels”

Michael Crichton Trivia - Upper Cut

In my last post, Michael Crichton’s Hairdresser, I wrote:

Carrie White begins her book with a few epigraphs, something that Crichton did with his books. The last epigraph for Upper Cut reads:

It is not easy to cut through a human head with a hacksaw.
--Michael Crichton

Who can tell me the significance of the Crichton quote?

Michael Crichton’s Hairdresser

Carrie White cut Michael Crichton’s hair for 38 years. In her just released memoir Upper Cut: Highlights of My Hollywood Life, she writes:

“Michael was my favorite male client. I would take an extra long time cutting him, just to hear what he had to say about current events.” (p. 274)

On her website is a wonderful photo of her with Michael Crichton at a book signing. Upper Cut contains another photo of the two of them.

Carrie White begins her book with a few epigraphs, something that Crichton did with his books. The last epigraph for Upper Cut reads:

It is not easy to cut through a human head with a hacksaw.
--Michael Crichton

And in the acknowledgements section, White writes:

“My final gratitude to Michael Crichton, my beloved friend and client for thirty-eight years” (p. 380)

Think of how many times Carrie White held Michael Crichton’s brilliant head in her hands. And his hair always looked gorgeous.

Read my review of Upper Cut at Barnes & Noble or Goodreads.