Next

First of all, I regret (big time) that I didn't really buy more clothings in Hong Kong because they are much cheaper (most of them anyway) than in Shanghai. But, that is already a past, and I am pretty sure I will go back to Hong Kong again whenever I have a chance. However, I have bought several books - not that the books there are cheaper, just that it is just too damn difficult to get some decent English books in China. I haven't read any fictions for a while now, and this time I got one of my favorite authors, i.e., Michael Crichton's latest paperback, "Next". I think I have read most of his work, from "Jurassic Park", "The Lost World", to the not-so-long-ago "Prey" and "State of Fear". Frankly, his work is always full of scientific mysteries - an intelligent mix of current scientific affairs with futuristic and imaginative (or fictional) scientific facts and definitely some elements of thrills and mysteries. I guess if you want me to compare him with one of the Asian authors I know (which by the way sadly not many...), it would be 倪匡 who has written a number of sci-fictions.

This time, after dinosaur, nanotech, and eco-terror, Michael brings us to genetic world. I have only 1/4 through the book, and a lot of characters are introduced yet to know who the main ones are, a lot of storyline and mysteries are built, yet to be answered. Already I am thrilled and intrigued by the book. Even though it is not that cheap (HKD 110) it is still cheaper than in Netherlands (roughly EUR 13). So, I really think HK is a shopping paradise!