This did NOT hold up to my fond memories of reading it at around age 14. 

The writing does not do anything for this story, there are lots of odd choices made in terms of switching from heavy dialogue to heavy narratives about science and psychology, to minor shifts in POV mid-scene. 

The character work is also atrocious and painful. The way Crichton tries to set up each main character in a way that explains how the sphere affects them, YIKES.  Beth's characterization and the attempts at making her Woman in STEM backstory mean something was horrible. Then there's Harry being a black man and how Crichton completely bungles that up too.

I shouldn't have re-read this, I should have just let my nostalgic feelings for the book and movie live in the past.