Next (Crichton novel)

Next

File:0060872985.01.png First edition cover
Author	Michael Crichton
Language	English
Genre	Sci-Fi, Techno-thriller, Dystopian novel
Publisher	HarperCollins
Publication date	November 28, 2006
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardcover, Large print), E-book, Audiobook
Pages	480 pp
ISBN	ISBN 0-06-087298-5
Preceded by	State of Fear

Next is a 2006 techno-thriller novel by Michael Crichton. Next takes place in the present world, where both the government and private investors spend billions of dollars every year on genetic research. The novel follows many characters, including transgenic animals, in the quest to survive in a world dominated by genetic research, corporate greed, and legal interventions.

Plot summary

Throughout the novel, Crichton explores the legal issues surrounding genetic research and questioning the control the court can exert on individuals. BioGen is a leading genetic research company which is embroiled in a lawsuit with Frank Burnet, a cancer survivor whose cells were taken without his knowledge. BioGen asserts that it bought the rights to these cells and that Frank no longer has the right to profit from the sale of his cells. After the court decides in BioGen’s favor, Frank disappears and BioGen asserts it owns the rights to the Burnet cell line, including the cells of Frank’s daughter and grandson. BioGen then decides to harvest the cells from Alex and Jamie Burnet with or without their consent, causing Alex to flee with her son.

BioGen is also researching what it calls the "maturity" gene and the effects exposure to this gene has on lab rats. Josh, a researcher at BioGen, accidentally exposes his drug-addicted brother to the gene. His brother becomes a sober, responsible individual, which causes Josh’s mother to spread the good news of this miracle cure to her friends and relatives. Josh must then decide if he will expose the gene to these people illegally. He knows that this treatment does seem to cure addiction, but he is unsure of how people will be affected by the treatment in the long run. Is it better to try to help without knowing the consequences, or should he refuse to help until he knows more about the treatment? Eventually, Josh discovers that the gene actually causes rapid aging, which eventually kills his brother.

Henry Kendall is also a genetic researcher who learns that the part-human part-ape embryo he implanted in an ape years ago actually resulted in a transgenic ape, with some human-like physical features, and the psyche of a young child. Henry and his family struggle to raise "Dave," as they attempt to hide the true nature of his genetic makeup. Other transgenic characters appear in the book, including a transgenic parrot named Gerard, who can do basic math, including multiplication, and recite movie quotes (as well as conversation snippets from various love affairs) with pinpoint accuracy, as well as an orangutan in Sumatra, fluent in French and Dutch, and sea turtles whose shells mysteriously glow at night, a trait that helps ward off predators.

References

Biosyn, one of the fictional companies from the Jurassic Park series, is mentioned once in the book, albeit capitalized as "BioSyn". Biosyn is the Main rival Company of inGen in the Jurassic Park.

Journalist Michael Crowley claims that after writing a critical article about Crichton's views on global warming in the March 2006 issue of The New Republic, the author fictionalized him in Next as a journalist and child rapist called "Mick Crowley".

The character Rob Bellarmino, who is "a scientist who believes in God" is a reference and pun of Roberto Francesco Romolo Cardinal Bellarmino (Saint Robert Bellarmine), who was a "Doctor of the church".

Henry Kendall travels north on 267 leaving Dulles Airport. In reality, this highway runs East/West.

Gerrard, the talking Parrot, dislikes the smell of Columbus, Ohio. This is one of many jabs Crichton takes at Ohio throughout his book.

External links

• Official site