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

[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....