Applying the same kind of narrative structure that has been successful in previous novels, Crichton delves into the field of nanotechnology, conjuring up another disaster scenario reminiscent of "The Andromeda Strain" and "Jurassic Park."
It is true that Crichton's novels have, more or less, settled into a pattern of predictable formulae: people attempting to harness an element of cutting-edge technology overstep its bounds and end up unleashing a scourge on humanity. Yet, as the suspense builds, all we can do is turn the pages faster and faster. In "Prey," Crichton succeeds once again in creating a gripping story that is impossible to put down.
Though the novel's title is meant to convey a sense of fear and terror, it is rather humorous to consider the evolution of Crichton's fictional predators from "Jurassic Park" to this latest novel. Instead of dinosaurs bearing down on us in their bulky, terrifying enormity, we are faced with swarms of microscopic devices, nasty little buggers that have the ability to learn, adapt and, most important to the novel's plot, kill. Indeed, it will be interesting to see how well this novel translates into film: unsurprisingly, Crichton has already sold the rights to the novel to Hollywood.
Although the story here isn't poised to generate any epic on-screen images, its riveting nature ought to fare better in translation than the dismal film adaptations of Crichton's earlier novels "Congo" and "Sphere."
Crichton presents the premise of the novel in a neatly packed introduction about artificial evolution in the 21st century and its potentially disastrous consequences: "Sometime in the twenty-first century, our self-deluded recklessness will collide with our growing technological power. One area where this will occur is in the meeting point of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and computer technology."
After this foreboding introduction, Crichton introduces us to Jack Forman, a former computer programmer who is now out of work. He's a stay-at-home dad who takes care of his kids while his wife is away working countless hours on what appears to be revolutionary medical technology.
When her behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Jack becomes suspicious, thinking at first that she's having an affair, then that she's on drugs. He has, however, no idea of what is really taking over his wife's life and even invading his own home.
Eventually Jack is called on by Xymos Technology, his wife's employer, to use his computer programming expertise at their lab facility in the Nevada desert, where they have been having some rather serious problems they hope Jack can fix. It turns out that one of his computer programs was used to control a swarm of these micro-devices, a swarm that has, unfortunately, escaped. From this point on the terror and suspense grow at a breakneck pace, until finally we are overwhelmed with so many rapid plot twists that the novel's momentum hits a wall.
Yet one of the great strengths of this novel, and indeed, a strength of Crichton's works in general, is his ability to pace and balance the didactic passages and the story narrative. Crichton is masterful at not bogging us down with too many technical details while at the same time explaining just enough to give us the feeling that we somehow understand the science behind the terror it has created. Yeah, I know how they were able to create swarms of intelligent, killer micro machines-err, well, not really. Regardless, Crichton's brisk, authoritative prose makes us feel as though we do understand. And that illusion of understanding is one key to our enjoyment of the novel.
Never known for creating especially deep or complex characters, Crichton fares no different with "Prey." In fact, the question was recently put to Crichton on "The Charlie Rose Show: Is it correct to say that you're more interested in the plot than you are in characters? Crichton answered, as he has several times before, "That's true." He went on to justify his approach, saying that considering the way he constructs his novels, with the emphasis on suspense and fantastical scientific feats, there's very little room for character development; basically, you can't have two characters discussing some life issue when the dinosaur is out there ready to eat them. And besides, who reads Crichton for depth of character and emotion? I certainly don't.
What I do hope to find when I pick up a Crichton novel is an engaging, entertaining story, one that deftly blends elements of science, medicine, corporate culture-whatever his subject may be-with an engrossing narrative. These skills, that have made Crichton's work, whether in film, TV, or novel form, successful all along, are the skills that ultimately make "Prey" an enjoyable read.