throatsprockets's review against another edition
4.0
Just a hair’s breadth from being a stone classic, this apocalyptic science fiction novel often plays like English versions of the lead characters from The Thin Man finding themselves in a Call of Cthulhu/Mountains of Madness kind of scenario. Seventy years on, it still seems original and even plausible to a point. I bought both the nature of the alien invasion and the human response, as well as the limitations of both. The end is a bit abrupt but this is compelling stuff. I need to fill the rest of my John Wyndham gaps.
tequilarainbows's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
elliemaetw's review
adventurous
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
marsoplin's review against another edition
3.0
Did not really vibe with the story, but still looking forward to reading more from the author. 3.5⭐️
sfletcher26's review
4.0
Until the beginning of this year I hadn't ever read a John Wyndham novel. I was of course aware of them, being a SciFi fan it's hard not to be. I'm now 3 books into his canon (this, The Chrysalids, and Day of the Triffids) and he's quickly become one of my favourite authors in any genre.
Wyndham's books have been described as cosy catastrophy but I think this is unfair. Yes, his writing is in many ways quintessentially English in its understatedness but its never cosy; It's strangeness and apparent mundanity makes it very unsettling.
The Kraken Wakes tells a story of an alien invasion and the slow inevitable breakdown of society. This breakdown and how society might carry on is a recurring feature of Wyndham's writing. In Triffids we see what happens when there is a sudden catastrophe and in Chrysalids we see how society might go on after an atomic conflagration.
There is so much in this book that speaks to the world today including the worry of a third world war and the polarisation of politics. It is in many ways prescient and timeless.
For me this is a better book than Day of the Triffids but still not as good as The Chrysalids.
Wyndham's books have been described as cosy catastrophy but I think this is unfair. Yes, his writing is in many ways quintessentially English in its understatedness but its never cosy; It's strangeness and apparent mundanity makes it very unsettling.
The Kraken Wakes tells a story of an alien invasion and the slow inevitable breakdown of society. This breakdown and how society might carry on is a recurring feature of Wyndham's writing. In Triffids we see what happens when there is a sudden catastrophe and in Chrysalids we see how society might go on after an atomic conflagration.
There is so much in this book that speaks to the world today including the worry of a third world war and the polarisation of politics. It is in many ways prescient and timeless.
For me this is a better book than Day of the Triffids but still not as good as The Chrysalids.
louisadassow's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
schnoebs13's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
John Wyndham is quickly become a favorite author for me. His ability to fully flesh out hypothetical scenarios and provide the most believable human response just astounds me with every book I read from him.
I find myself really enjoying climate sci-fi/dystopians but I’ve never read one with such a twist like this. I loved how this first contact story portrayed global politics and society’s attention span in such a way that feels just a relatable as the day it was written. I find it so fascinating watching throughout this story as a handful of whistle blowers are trying to do everything they can to get the world’s attention on what’s been happen all the while we follow allow two radio personnel who have been responsible for narrating so much of the catastrophes that have happened to the rest of the world. Plus, I absolutely loved the dramatic of the couple and how at times they both narrated the book for us as reader. I wish I could explain my thoughts better but I think this is just another one of his books that when I go back for a reread in the future, I’ll be able to gain so much more from the story.
I find myself really enjoying climate sci-fi/dystopians but I’ve never read one with such a twist like this. I loved how this first contact story portrayed global politics and society’s attention span in such a way that feels just a relatable as the day it was written. I find it so fascinating watching throughout this story as a handful of whistle blowers are trying to do everything they can to get the world’s attention on what’s been happen all the while we follow allow two radio personnel who have been responsible for narrating so much of the catastrophes that have happened to the rest of the world. Plus, I absolutely loved the dramatic of the couple and how at times they both narrated the book for us as reader. I wish I could explain my thoughts better but I think this is just another one of his books that when I go back for a reread in the future, I’ll be able to gain so much more from the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death
washoe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
capercaillie's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The ending was a bit of a sudden turnaround
mike_brough's review against another edition
4.0
Another excellent Wyndham end-of-the-world story. This one felt like the most final of all his scenarios.