The Kraken Wakes

I was impressed with this classic Sci-fi from 1953.

For hose who have read this book, there is an elephant in the room to identify, then move on from. If you haven't read this book, and like sci-fi, do so, but don't read this elephantine spoiler: There is no Kraken in this book. I was really looking forward to the time when the Kraken, who in my mind was controlling the sea-tanks and the pseudo-coelenterata (anemones and jellyfish are coelenterata) from deep within the ocean was going to came out and fight a final duel with mankind, but no...

So what impressed me? I think it captured an incredibly realistic response to a very unexpected world event. I believe human nature was captured very cleverly, and for the large part exposed human behaviours often at their worst. I enjoyed that Wyndham could effortlessly move from single events to a big picture and back without effecting the pacing (which was great) and without breaking the narrative too much. I enjoyed Wyndham's thoughtfulness around how the attacks took place, and around rising sea levels.

Another aspect I thought clever was making the main protagonist (but not his wife) quite dull, old fashioned and uninteresting, yet he really shines as being a good human being in spite of this. I personally found him quite funny in a very British way, especially his slightly off-beat relationship with his wife.

Although it got tiresome three quarters of the way through, the cold war aspect where Britain didn't trust Russia and Russia didn't trust Britain was amusing at first.

Finally, a note of the format of the novel. Divided into four sections - the first called Rationale, followed by Phase 1, 2 & 3. Rationale dumps the reader into the end of the story - although we have no idea what has gone before, where husband discusses with wife his intention to write a book about what has occurred. He outlines some concepts and is told categorically that the book shall be constructed around three phases; they discuss a kicking off quotation, where she chooses something obscure and he says he was thinking of Tennyson, about the Kraken - and that is what we get, on the page prior to Phase One.

I should add, this is a great cover. Looking through the many other editions, I couldn't see one I liked more. Very illustrative of the creatures encountered.

I will leave it there (unusual for my reviews, I know), and award 4 stars.

3.5

Definitely an interesting book. It's essentially H.G. Wells War of the Worlds meets Ballard's The Drowned World, with a heavy focus on science and rational thinking. It's a decidedly pessimistic work, showcasing the fallibility of people and their governments. A classic of British science fiction.

Not a bad adaptation but I think I prefer the book.