Michael Crichton.

[gurdymonkey]

I was twelve. I was bored. Mom handed me a battered paperback copy of The Andromeda Strain and said, "if any of the science is over your head, come ask me about it." 

I read it. We had a discussion on what pH was and why the two virus survivors' blood pH prevented Andromeda from killing them. Then I said, "So if I had the hiccups for three days, it couldn't kill me, right?" At which point, Mom shrugged and said, "Who hiccups for three days?" 

I found the address of the publisher in the front of the book. I sat down at Dad's old Royal and pounded out a letter to the author, introducing myself and posing my question.

He wrote back. He thanked me for writing. He was impressed that I'd come up with the question, and he said, yes, the physical activity of hiccupping would temporarily alter blood pH and prevent the virus from killing me - until I stopped hiccupping, of course.

The original letter is long gone, lost in a move. But I remember Michael Crichton's kindness to a curious kid. He will be missed.

Comments

[czina.livejournal.com]

I think that was my first Crichton book, as well - although I was older, since I didn't get into 'modern science thriller' books as a kid.

But it's still one of my favorites of his (I think I have all but one or 2 of his). And I have more 'factoids' about more things in my head as a result of reading his books.

I was saddened to hear about his death.

[masahide.livejournal.com]

That is pretty awesome!

I wonder if authors were more responsive in the days of actual "writing letters" because people took the time to do it. There is an impression today (because I don't have any experience or facts, but I hear people talking about this) that email has "opened the floodgates" to a certain extent, and it has made authors and other less communicative.... Then again, I have had good experiences with similar people responding via email.... But I digress.

That's a cool story!

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

I wrote to Liza Dalby after doing my first Japanese court outfit because I thought KIMONO: FASHIONING CULTURE was such a useful resource. I got an auto-response email immediately. Then I got a lovely personal email from her a day or so later.

I don't know anyone who doesn't appreciate a pat on the back. I know I do. It's why I try to answer every single email about Wodeford Hall content promptly....