Written by Michael Crichton Trivia Quiz

Answer: Beowulf

This novel deals with the historical travels of Ahmad ibn Fadlan, a Muslim emissary from Baghdad, City of Peace, to the King of the Bulgars. Along the way he is forced to join Viking adventurers. These Vikings initially seem like barbarians to Ibn Fadlan; their ways are ungodly but their mission is noble - to rescue a Scandinavian kingdom from the "monsters of the mist". However, towards the end of the book, he manages to fit in with these men and to befriend some of them.

The book is a fictionalized take on the actual account of the travels of Ahmad ibn Fadlan and based on his travel diaries that he kept. Crichton made his story more authentic by using actual historical fact interwoven with dramatic dialogue. In 1999, Crichton's book was the basis for the movie "The 13th Warrior" starring Antonio Banderas.

Answer: Jurassic Park

Probably Crichton's most famous novel, "Jurassic Park" deals with a park of genetically engineered dinosaurs about to be opened into an amusement park for the public by dinosaur nut John Hammond. Hammond decides to test-run the park on a few consultants, mathematician Ian Malcolm, paleontologist Alan Grant, paleobotanist Ellie Sattler, and his grandchildren Tim and Lex, among others. The park has had a few technical glitches, but the real glitch is disgruntled employee Dennis Nedry, who has been contracted to steal embryos of the dinosaurs. Things go way out of hand, and several people die, as Malcolm's chaos theory takes effect on the island.

This novel was remade into a movie which was released in 1993. It became a blockbuster hit that starred Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. In 2022, the sixth movie in the franchise was released. Additionally, a television series aimed at children was first aired in 2020. Finally, a collaboration with LEGO has released a few movies and television series.

Answer: Gorillas

A new strain of gorillas, bred by the ancient inhabitants of the Lost City of Zinj as a guard force, are still around long after the city has been abandoned. An expedition led by Karen Ross to the city is seeking boron-coated diamonds. She takes with her primatologist Peter Elliot and his sign-language-speaking gorilla Amy, a gorilla who has painted pictures of the Lost City.

Those of you who answered 'rabbits', please message me and tell me what you were thinking... that you never expect the Spanish Inquisition? :)

Answer: Pacific

Deep in the Pacific Ocean, a mysterious spacecraft is unearthed, prompting a team of diverse scientists to embark on a mission of discovery. Within the vessel lies a perplexing sphere, its origins shrouded in enigma. As the team delves deeper, they encounter a cascade of wonders and terrors - manifestations of their deepest fears and desires. From encounters with surreal sea creatures to the perilous unraveling of their underwater sanctuary, their journey teeters on the edge of the unknown. Later adapted for the screen, Crichton's 1997 novel "Sphere" unfolds as a gripping exploration of human psyche and the mysteries that lie beneath.

Answer: False

In contrast to the movie adaptation, "The Lost World" dives back into the world of dinosaurs. At a secretive production site of InGen, Isla Sorna, dinosaurs are manufactured before being transported to Isla Nublar for the ill-fated park. The plot follows the collaboration between Ian Malcolm and Richard Levine who embark on a quest to study the phenomenon of extinction. However, their expedition takes a perilous turn, forcing them to flee from the island amidst escalating dangers. Renowned for its breakneck pace and meticulous research, "The Lost World" earned praise for its scientific accuracy, as noted by "Time" magazine:

"Michael Crichton didn't really have to get the science right to ensure "The Lost World" would be a bestseller. But he got the science right anyway."

Answer: Robots

Microscopic robots, created with the purpose of investigating the human body, turn hostile once they're released into the wild and are allowed to evolve on their own. The story centers on Jack Forman, a computer programmer who is laid off from his job at a technology company called Xymos. When his wife Julia, who also works at Xymos, begins to experience strange symptoms and behavior, Jack begins to investigate and discovers that the company has been conducting secret experiments involving nanotechnology. This novel deals with the secrets of nanotechnology, the ethical questions that experimentation raise, and whether AI can become sentient.

There are those rabbits again.

Answer: Space

Project "Scoop" were low-flying spacecraft sent to study the earth's outer atmosphere. One of the spacecraft suddenly goes off the grid and lands in the middle of a small town, where the curious townspeople open it. Not long thereafter, all the townspeople are dead except for an old man and a baby.

This is a scenario that, although it may sound futuristic or the idea for a movie plot, is a possibility, admit many scientists.

Answer: All of these

Tom Sanders finds himself being bossed by a former lover, Meredith Johnson, taking up a position that Tom expected to receive. After a closed-door meeting where she attempts to seduce him and is rejected, Tom finds himself accused of harassing her. This novel takes you into the corporate intrigues of the computer industry, and the touchy subject of sexual harassment is placed in the foreground.

Answer: Rising Sun

As well as dealing with the cultural differences of the Japanese and American societies, this is a very well written murder mystery. A blonde model is murdered a floor above where the opening party of the Nakamoto building is taking place, and the executives of the building are covering up. Why? Who is the killer? Who is the victim? All these are questions that Peter Smith has to answer with the help of former officer John Connor.

Answer: Norton Aircraft

In Crichton's novel "Airframe", a plane with no physical defects lands safely with 56 injured and three deceased on board. Who is to blame? What was the cause of the accident? Why did it happen? All these are questions Casey Singleton must answer before the company she works for loses an important contract. What she doesn't know is that a larger plot to shake up the company has already been set in motion.

"Airframe" portrayed the aviation industry accurately and with some damning details. As well, it examined the intersection of technology and corporate culture. The novel was acclaimed for its fast-paced plot and suspenseful but eye-opening storytelling.

Answer: A car accident

Crichton's novel deals with how technology can be used to override parts of the human body, and mainly, the human brain. Harry Benson receives a treatment known as "Stage 3", electrodes implanted in his brain sending soothing impulses to control his violent blackouts.

But soon Harry learns to override the pre-programmed commands, and launches on a homicidal attempt to break free of machines forever.

Answer: True

"The Great Train Robbery" deals with the robbery of the Crimean Gold shipment in pre-industrial Victorian England. It is almost entirely based on true facts, but Michael Crichton does an excellent job of filling in the blanks in between.

Answer: France

A group of scientists unearthing a medieval castle in the middle of the Dordogne Valley find themselves hurtled back through time to their castle, real and thriving. Not only do they have to deal with getting back, but they also have to deal with a psychotic time traveller who will stop at nothing to kill them. In the midst of the dynamic Hundred Years' War, this novel deals with the mysteries of time travel, and the question of whether the past can really be changed.

This novel is my personal favourite of all of Crichton's novels.

Answer: A Case of Need

The Edgar award was awarded to Crichton for writing "A Case of Need", published in 1968. In the story, Crichton reveals some criticism against his Harvard professors, and the grading system used by the University. This mystery deals with the death of the daughter of a prominent Bostonian, while undergoing an illegal abortion.

The doctor who cut her is accused of murder, but is it really murder?

Answer: Twister

"Twister" is a movie about the research of tornadoes across the plains of Oklahoma, focusing on weatherman Bill Harding trying to get his scientist wife, Jo, to sign divorce papers so he can marry his girlfriend Melissa. Things don't work out for Bill, as nature intervenes, and love conquers. Directed by Jan De Bont and aired with the tagline "The Dark Side of Nature", this wasn't a smash hit, but not a flop either.

Answer: Travels

"Travels", published in 1989, deals with Crichton's travels to some of the world's more remote places. It is also a look inside the author's more spiritual side. Michael Crichton attempted ascending Kilimanjaro, swimming with sharks, seeing African wildlife from up close, and much more.

Answer: ER

First aired in 1994, this successful hospital drama had (in 2004) won 18 Emmys and the George Foster Peabody Award. Michael Crichton used much of his medical background to create this show, and has written many of the episodes. Crichton received an award himself for the show, from the Producers Guild of America.

Its cast for the first seasons included: George Clooney, Sherry Stringfield, Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, Noah Wyle and Eriq LaSalle.

Answer: Amazon

Crichton has always been into electronics and computers. His film "Westworld" produced in 1973 was one of the first to implement digital images. He has written a non-fiction book dealing with information technology, "Electronic Life", and has been the executive of a software company called FilmTrack.

Answer: John Lange

Jeffery Hudson was the pseudonym used for writing "A Case of Need", and Michael Douglas was the name used when writing together with his brother Douglass. John Lange was the pen name Michael Crichton used while in medical school, and the money he received for those novels paid for Harvard School of Medicine.

Answer: anthropology

Michael Crichton graduated Summa Cum Laude, with a degree in anthropology. He lectured in Cambridge University in England, then came back to Harvard Medical School, where he struggled to get a degree in medicine. He graduated in 1969 with an MD, but never went on to become a licensed practitioner. Nevertheless, he uses the medical theme many times in his novels.

Incidentally, this is also the educational path that Nobel prizewinning author Saul Bellow took.