3.5
The Kraken Wakes
By John Wyndham & Alexandra KleemanPublisher Description
An “ingenious, horrifying” (The Guardian) first contact story by one of the twentieth century’s most brilliant—and neglected—science fiction and horror writers, whom Stephen King called “the best writer of science fiction that England has ever produced.”
“Few books capture the obscure, elliptical way that threats move from the background to the foreground of reality like The Kraken Wakes. . . . Feels all too familiar in today’s age of anti-vaxxer disinformation and QAnon conspiracists.” —Alexandra Kleeman, from the Introduction
What if aliens invaded and colonized Earth’s oceans rather than its land?
Britain, 1953: It begins with red dots appearing across the sky and crashing to the oceans’ deeps. At first, many people believe that these aliens are interested in only what’s down below. But when the polar ice-caps begin to melt, it becomes clear that these beings are not interested in sharing the Earth and that humankind might just be on the brink of extinction. . . .
“Few books capture the obscure, elliptical way that threats move from the background to the foreground of reality like The Kraken Wakes. . . . Feels all too familiar in today’s age of anti-vaxxer disinformation and QAnon conspiracists.” —Alexandra Kleeman, from the Introduction
What if aliens invaded and colonized Earth’s oceans rather than its land?
Britain, 1953: It begins with red dots appearing across the sky and crashing to the oceans’ deeps. At first, many people believe that these aliens are interested in only what’s down below. But when the polar ice-caps begin to melt, it becomes clear that these beings are not interested in sharing the Earth and that humankind might just be on the brink of extinction. . . .
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3.5
Mark Bailey
Created 9 days agoShare
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“First John Wyndham book, enjoyed it.
Fireballs start falling from the sky, ships begin sinking far out at sea, strange tanks begin coming onto shore and dragging humans away with weird goo, and eventually the ice caps melt and water submerges most of the land on Earth.
Told from the perspective of two journalists who documented everything from the start, this is a decent topical read into science and rationality in the face of human extinction. Also a frightening reminder of where we could end up sooner rather than later at the rate we're going.
Heard Day of the Triffids is the go to Wyndham book and will get a copy as this one was also very good. Definitely recommend.”Rita Florez
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cthomp
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Allison Rude
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PantherKult
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About John Wyndham
John Wyndham (1903-1969) is considered a pioneer of science fiction and horror, though he preferred to think of himself as a “logical fantasist.” He began writing science fiction and detective stories in the 1920s, but shifted to science fiction post-WWII, focusing on themes of disaster, invasion, and first contact. His best known works include The Day of the Triffids (1951) and The Midwich Cuckoos (1957). A pacifist and socialist, Wyndham—unlike a lot of mid-century genre fiction authors—was alive to the impact of sexism, classism, and prejudice and his novels reflect his liberal politics.
Other books by John Wyndham
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