For the final book I finished on my honeymoon, I read Michael Crichton’s ‘Sphere’.
Until now, I’d only ever read Crichton’s ‘Jurassic Park’ novels. But I’d seen ‘Sphere’ recommended in horror circles, particularly for water-based scares. Considering my wife and I were on our beach honeymoon, I wanted some oceanic terrors on the holiday.
The novel opens with a psychiatrist flying out to an isolated spot in the ocean. The navy has picked him up and flown him out without information. Our protagonist believes an aeroplane has crashed, and he needs to help the survivors. But it turns out that an alien craft rests on the ocean bed, and experts think it’s been there for 300 years.
The story races from there. In typical—from what I’ve read—Crichton fashion, there’s a lot of good science in the novel. Crichton is the master of the suspension of disbelief, and ‘Sphere’ is no different. The novel rockets past at breakneck speed, and the finale is breathtaking. I won’t spoil too much here, but the book met my marine horror expectations.
Crichton puts much research into his books, and I can’t wait to read more of his bibliography.
Given what I’ve read so far, I doubt he’ll disappoint.
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