Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park captivates readers with its thrilling plot and scientific plausibility. Its fast pace and compelling characters keep the narrative engaging; however, some critics find the technical details overwhelming and the character development lacking. Despite this, the novel remains a landmark in science fiction, blending suspense with imaginative exploration.

Readers who enjoy Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton typically have a penchant for thrilling, science-based adventure novels. They are likely fans of speculative fiction and similar works like Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey and James Rollins' Amazonia, which combine cutting-edge science with gripping storytelling.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton tells the story of eccentric CEO John Hammond, who creates an amusement park with live dinosaurs cloned from ancient DNA. When the park's security systems fail, chaos ensues, leading to dangerous encounters between the visitors and the dinosaurs. Several characters must navigate the perilous park to survive, highlighting the unpredictable nature of science and nature.

Violent dinosaur attacks and human fatalities are depicted throughout the story.

Suspenseful / Adventurous / Mysterious / Exciting / Informative

- Michael Crichton began writing Jurassic Park in 1983, with initial drafts conceptualizing the story from the perspective of a young boy who befriends a dinosaur, but this idea was eventually abandoned.
- Before publication, Jurassic Park underwent several title changes, including working titles such as "The Lost World" before ultimately being named Jurassic Park in reference to the iconic theme park setting.
- Jurassic Park was published in 1990 and became an instant bestseller, selling over 9 million copies worldwide before the release of its blockbuster film adaptation in 1993.

**Dr. Alan Grant**  
A paleontologist and central figure who is initially engaged in excavating dinosaur fossils, later captivated and challenged by the prospect of real, living dinosaurs at a mysterious park.

**Ian Malcolm**  
A chaos mathematician tasked with evaluating the risks of the park, known for his theories on unpredictability and his critical perspective on the project.

**John Hammond**  
The ambitious creator of the park, characterized by his visionary ideas and a somewhat careless attitude towards the potential dangers of bringing dinosaurs back to life.

**Tim Murphy**  
An 11-year-old dinosaur enthusiast and grandson of Hammond, who shares a strong bond with Dr. Grant due to his passion and knowledge of dinosaurs.

**Lex Murphy**  
An 8-year-old girl and Tim's sister, initially skeptical of the park, who grows braver as the events unfold.

**Robert Muldoon**  
The park's courageous game warden with extensive experience in managing large animals, tasked with ensuring safety amid escalating chaos.

**Dr. Henry Wu**  
The geneticist responsible for designing the park's dinosaurs, who navigates the challenges and ethical dilemmas of cloning extinct species.

**Dr. Ellie Sattler**  
A paleobotanist and Dr. Grant’s colleague, known for her expertise and intuitive insights into the park's hidden dangers.

**John Arnold**  
The park’s chief engineer, focused on system operations and sustaining calm under pressure, despite the park's growing instability.

**Donald Gennaro**  
A lawyer for InGen invested in the park’s success, initially pragmatic but increasingly concerned about the unfolding events.

**Dennis Nedry**  
A skilled programmer at the park who takes advantage of his position, leading to significant complications in park operations.

**Dr. Gerry Harding**  
The park's veterinarian, bringing expertise in avian care to the treatment of the park's unique dinosaur population.

**Ed Regis**  
The publicist tasked with managing perceptions of the park, whose responsibilities include overseeing Hammond's grandchildren during their visit.

Michael Crichton

Adult

Novel

Jurassic Park

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore Jurassic Park and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Jurassic Park Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “First Iteration"

Introduction-Part 1

Jurassic Park Introduction-Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Second Iteration”

Part 2 Jurassic Park Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Third Iteration”

Part 3 Jurassic Park Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Fourth Iteration”

Part 4 Jurassic Park Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Fifth Iteration”

Part 5 Jurassic Park Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Sixth Iteration”

Part 6 Jurassic Park Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “Seventh Iteration”

Part 7-Epilogue

Jurassic Park Part 7-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Jurassic Park Character Analysis

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Themes

Jurassic Park Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Jurassic Park Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Jurassic Park Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Jurassic Park Essay Topics

Jurassic Park Teaching Unit

Introduction

Jurassic Park Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

Jurassic Park Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Jurassic Park Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

Jurassic Park Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Jurassic Park Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

Jurassic Park Activities

Essay Questions

Jurassic Park Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Jurassic Park Cumulative Exam Questions

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Jurassic Park Exam Answer Key

Jurassic Park

Before You Read

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Who Should Read Jurassic Park?

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