Reviews

Ο πόλεμος με τις σαλαμάνδρες by Karel Čapek

demasiadogentil's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

amerynth's review against another edition

4.0

I definitely enjoyed reading Karel Capek's "War with the Newts," especially knowing the political and social background in the time it was written. Capek wrote the novel as he watched in horror the rise of national socialism in Germany (but also takes stabs at England, France and America too.)

In this black comedy, a captain discovers "sea devils" or newts in the ocean and figures out a way to exploit them to pad his pocketbook. Soon, the world economy depends on the newt workforce, which is ready to rebel against the human race.

The entire book is cleverly done and makes for a fun read. The closing chapters, in particular, really drive Capek's point home. Very glad I read this one.

croissammie's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

wrent's review against another edition

dark funny 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

4.75

chicokc's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny 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

4.5

La novela es una crítica y una sátira de ciencia ficción. Se narra desde distintos puntos de vista una progresión y evolución de salamandras, que poco a poco, y paso a paso van tomando posesión del mundo. Todo esto llevado por la ambición humana. A través de esta historia nos damos cuenta que los sueños se pueden cumplir, pero hay que tener cuidado con lo que se pide. 

chesterburnett's review against another edition

5.0

Written in 1936 by a Czech author, but you would hardly know that from just reading the book. Man discovers a race of 4 foot tall newts that are teachable and really handy with underwater construction. The Salamander Syndicate organizes and propagates the distribution of newt labor throughout the world. The newts just keep building and learning and propagate themselves. When the newts turn the tables, the humans try to respond. Entertaining read, just as relevant today as when it was written and a reminder that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

leocald's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

sdgolz's review against another edition

4.0

They don't seem to have the paperback book version listed, so this is the closest I could come up with.

shaddie's review against another edition

4.0

Dystopias are just my cup of tea! I greatly enjoyed author's allegories, but it left me disturbed... What if...? It started quite slowly and ended rather quickly, but at least It wasn't torturing my idealism for long.

•Greediness is endless and once it gets bigger than you, you lose.

"Why should the nature always repair what people did wrong?"

(Read in czech language)

mildo's review against another edition

5.0

Satira mnohých spoločenských neduhov par excellence. Kritika neprezieravého zásobovania mlokov výbušninami preto, že z toho majú dobrý business a neskôr aby mali s nimi dobré vzťahy - veľmi aktuálne a hrozivo presné aj v tento vojnový rok