When Michael Crichton, the celebrated author of “Jurassic Park,” passed away from cancer in 2008, he left a treasure trove of unfinished manuscripts. Among these was a story he began 20 years prior about the looming eruption of Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano. Fast forward to today, Crichton’s widow, Sherri, the CEO of CrichtonSun, has enlisted bestselling author James Patterson to complete this thrilling narrative. Now, “Eruption” has hit the shelves, a seamless blend of two literary giants.
James Patterson, no stranger to collaboration, has previously partnered with notable figures such as Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton. For “Eruption,” Sherri Crichton provided Patterson with all of her late husband’s meticulous research. “He came back with an outline, and we talked probably every few weeks,” she recalls. “It was so much fun to read. It would be hard to tell what was Crichton and what’s Patterson’s.”
Since Crichton’s passing, four novels have been published under his name, some with the help of other writers. Sherri hints at more “Michael Crichton adventures” on the horizon, ensuring his legacy endures.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Sherri Crichton opened up about her mission to preserve Michael’s extensive archive. “When Michael died, I was pregnant with our son. I was like, ‘How am I going to raise our son with him not knowing his father?’” Sherri’s search through Michael’s papers revealed a man of immense structure and discipline. He would often juggle multiple projects, meticulously charting his progress on each. “He would compare the number of words he wrote each day, how long each book took, and even tracked the time to publication and movie adaptations,” Sherri explains.
Despite his cerebral nature, Michael Crichton was a loving and kind individual. Sherri fondly remembers his “pregnant pauses” during moments of intense concentration. “When writing a book, the pauses would be longer. You didn’t know if he was really at the table. He was working something out and would isolate to land that plane,” she says. Initially, this was startling, but she learned to respect it, knowing the brilliance that would emerge from these moments.
Sherri feels Michael’s presence strongly in their home, where she still resides. His office remains as it was, a testament to his enduring spirit. Their son, John Michael, who never knew his father, possesses many of his traits. “He’s very cerebral, articulate, a sucker for a great book and research, and a really good writer,” Sherri shares.
The legacy of Michael Crichton, a master of weaving science and suspense, continues to thrive through the dedicated efforts of Sherri and the talented hands of authors like James Patterson. “Eruption” stands as a testament to Crichton’s enduring influence and the seamless collaboration that brings his unfinished dreams to life. The blend of Crichton’s visionary storytelling and Patterson’s narrative prowess ensures that readers will be on the edge of their seats, unable to discern where one author’s voice ends and the other begins.
As Sherri Crichton continues to explore and bring to light her late husband’s works, fans can look forward to more thrilling adventures that celebrate the genius of Michael Crichton, ensuring his stories captivate and inspire for generations to come.