Like many, I'm a sucker for a good conspiracy theory and Michael Crichton's latest novel, State of Fear, is a tantalising morsel to feed our natural suspicion. Unfortunately what might have been a tasty snack was seriously overcooked by the author. Instead of satisfying, it really just leaves us feeling bloated and repentant.
The title is inspired by the work of "green terrorists', environmental lobby groups desperate for influence, who plot to create a series of "natural' disasters at apparently unconnected locations around the world. The climax is a massive ocean wave that will obliterate the coastlines of many countries, sweeping away thousands of innocent people and thrusting environmental politics on to the main agenda of global government.
It's about a man-made tsunami, written well in advance of the tragic events of Boxing Day, 2004! Eerily prophetic or just a dumb coincidence?
Either way it certainly makes for compelling reading in the opening chapters. Soon after, the story loses its way, with the introduction of its cast of main characters, an unlikely band of goodies who together will cheat death as they strive to foil the wicked plans of their enemies.
In between improbable feats of incredible bravery (supported by ridiculous technology and a limitless budget), readers are treated to vast sermons about the politics of climate, global warming and international responsibility (including copious footnotes and multiple graphs of historical weather conditions in assorted places).
The message we hear most often is that the earth is gradually heating up due to industrialisation and capitalism. However this book asserts that global warming is nothing but a beat-up to make people feel insecure and to garner power and funds for big environmental agencies who really are acting in their own best interests.
The baddies aren't the captains of industry after all but a host of green lobby groups with comical acronyms and slightly bumbling executives. Sounds plausible enough and a delicious right-wing proposition, but did it really require 600 pages of guff?
The main protagonist, John Kenner, represents the voice of reason who has read apparently every scientific paper ever written and knows it all, while being dashing, resourceful and wryly amusing in a geeky sort of way. Just plain annoying, if you ask me.
Standing in as "everyman' is lawyer, Peter Evans, a regular guy who wants to do what is right and to look after the environment somehow. Stuck at the receiving end of Kenner's longwinded diatribes he presents futile untested arguments derived from his armchair and the six o'clock news.
At the close of the story Crichton injects himself into the situation with a section called "Author's Message' designed to enlighten the reader about information sources and to emphasise his own position on this matter. There is obvious irony in what Crichton has written here. His final and most laughable statement reads "Everybody has an agenda. Except me."
It does make you think. What is your view of the environment and of environmental groups? Do you vote Green? Are you recycling religiously and living an eco-friendly lifestyle? All of this will depend a lot on what else you believe in, of course.
Regardless of where you stand, you will likely only enjoy reading Crichton's State of Fear if you enjoy anything he writes and don't mind suspending disbelief for the entire novel. That and a keenness for graphs!
