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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This book really had me hooked in the beginning but the longer it went on, the more bored I got. I can't really say what it is, but it wasn't an enjoyable read for me.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
It is quite surprising to find a book this old have such a positive representation of a married couple.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Find a nice, self-sufficient hilltop, and fortify it.”
Classic Wyndham, but not Wyndham's finest. A married couple who create Radio documentaries for the English Broadcasting Company document the destruction of sea craft after apparently interstellar objects land in remote ocean locations. Investigation leads to realization that the something is also attacking remote coastal villages (Russians?!) , then Earth's ice melts and countries around the world flood. Mike and Phyllis are likeable characters in a talky story that takes almost half the book to get going. Good, but not grand.
Classic Wyndham, but not Wyndham's finest. A married couple who create Radio documentaries for the English Broadcasting Company document the destruction of sea craft after apparently interstellar objects land in remote ocean locations. Investigation leads to realization that the something is also attacking remote coastal villages (Russians?!) , then Earth's ice melts and countries around the world flood. Mike and Phyllis are likeable characters in a talky story that takes almost half the book to get going. Good, but not grand.
The most original apocalypse I've read in years!
Dated, bc written in the 50s, but full of intriguing ideas and lovable narrators.
Androids Dream book club
Dated, bc written in the 50s, but full of intriguing ideas and lovable narrators.
Androids Dream book club
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A journalist lens on what the end of civilisation as we know it might be like, and the gradual way in which it could happen. A fascinating and horrific premise, with an unconventionally endearing dynamic between the two main characters. Let’s hope any aliens we may meet aren’t like these.
A good little read, as usual from Wyndham. As usual, there's a fair bit of faux scientific silliness, and quite a bit of swooning from our female lead. Still, it romps along nicely and a decent drop of dystopia for a diversion.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
I love John Wyndham's books, this was the fourth I've read, and if I'm honest, it wasn't my favourite. Although it's brilliant and understated in the way it's told, it also makes it a little dry and slow, and in some ways, distanced as all we ever two is observe in the way the two main characters observe (they're journalists of a kind) rather than ever experience.
In a way, he is science fiction for people who don't normally read science fiction, because it is understated and very realistic in feeling. The clever thing with this is that you never ever see the "aliens" themselves, and their battle units feature quite infrequently through the book, if you consider how much time is devoted to people having discussions, and accounts of how all the theories and politics changed and developed over time. There is a lot in this book about a global disaster, and how this is dealt with, politics, conspiracy theories and media manipulation always coming far, far ahead of actually trying to deal with the problem. Which is very true in a lot of ways. This book is from the 50s, so there's a lot of the west blaming Russia and Russia blaming the west, whilst the aliens can crack on with business relatively undisturbed. And the time frame this is set over is also more realistic rather than a sudden boom and everything's over in under twenty four hours. There is something creepy and uncomfortable about little things happening over months and months and no one being quite sure where it's all leading, and certainly having no idea how bad things are going to get. An interesting one to think about as well in consideration of global warming and the melting of the polar icecaps!
In a way, he is science fiction for people who don't normally read science fiction, because it is understated and very realistic in feeling. The clever thing with this is that you never ever see the "aliens" themselves, and their battle units feature quite infrequently through the book, if you consider how much time is devoted to people having discussions, and accounts of how all the theories and politics changed and developed over time. There is a lot in this book about a global disaster, and how this is dealt with, politics, conspiracy theories and media manipulation always coming far, far ahead of actually trying to deal with the problem. Which is very true in a lot of ways. This book is from the 50s, so there's a lot of the west blaming Russia and Russia blaming the west, whilst the aliens can crack on with business relatively undisturbed. And the time frame this is set over is also more realistic rather than a sudden boom and everything's over in under twenty four hours. There is something creepy and uncomfortable about little things happening over months and months and no one being quite sure where it's all leading, and certainly having no idea how bad things are going to get. An interesting one to think about as well in consideration of global warming and the melting of the polar icecaps!