I would agree, Michael was hardly in the book! Maybe Winegardner figured since Michael is the central character of the movies he was going to show a different perspective. I would have liked to have had more about Michael in the book though.
Long as I remember The rain been coming down. Clouds of Mystery pouring Confusion on the ground. Good men through the ages, Trying to find the sun; And I wonder, Still I wonder, Who'll stop the rain.