"oxygen" line during the operation, thereby preventing a full dose of carbon monoxide poisoning. Stark is arrested, but Susan's fate is left in doubt. Background After Cook's first book failed to sell well, he studied the common ingredients of bestsellers and felt that for an unknown writer, mystery thrillers had the best chance of success. He was particularly influenced by Jaws, Seven Days in May and the novels of Eric Ambler. His original publisher rejected the idea but Little Brown agreed to give Cook a $10,000 advance. Critical response Comas literary awards and acclaims include a long tenure on the New York Times best seller list, reaching its high position of #6 in the fiction category. The novel was included in the Fiction category of "The New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year" listing (the forerunner to The New York Times' current "100 Notable Books of [Year]" listing) from which the "Best Book of the Year" is selected. The New York Times Book Review also called Coma 1977's "number one thriller of the year." Adaptations The story was made into the highly successful 1978 film Coma, directed by Michael Crichton. The story was adapted again into a two-part television miniseries that aired in September 2012 on the A&E television network. Editions (2003) (2002) (1977) (paperback) (1978) References 1977 American novels 1977 science fiction novels American novels adapted into films Debut science fiction novels Medical novels Novels by Robin Cook Novels set in Boston Novels set in hospitals American novels adapted into television shows 1977 debut novels