The Kraken Wakes / John Wyndham

The Kraken Wakes

by John Wyndham

science fiction

copyright 1953

re-read in November 2017

rated 7/10: well worth reading

Kraken begins slowly. Builds slowly. Has a chapter of horrifying action... Slows down and finishes slowly. Hmm. Definitely not a "modern" story :-)

The driving theme is definitely science fiction. I was surprised -- on this re-reading -- to discover how much "non" science fiction is wrapped around that theme. There is the battle against the Kraken -- and the political, public and media battles which all have a major impact on the way in which humanity responds.

Replace the Kraken with, for example, a well hidden terrorist cell holding a loaded bomb... the book could easily be classified as a work of social and/or political satire. Kraken is "science fiction" at its broadest and best: a "what if" scientific idea exploring the impact of that idea on the broader community.

To add to the enjoyment -- to my enjoyment, anyway -- Wyndham plays with words.

The story is told by two radio scriptwriters. Is Wyndham simply enjoying his own use of language? Or is he emphasising the literary backgrounds of his two story-tellers? I don't know. I just enjoy it :-)

The book is peppered with word play and puns. There are literary references and allusions. Funny, poignant, deep, meaningful, Wyndham's story-tellers use the words of authors and poets -- and words themselves -- to entertain and inform the reader.

The Kraken Wakes is very definitely science fiction. It is also a whole lot more. The social and political commentary is dated in its application but absolutely up-to-date in its relevance and truth. The science itself feels dated -- but the scientific *challenge* is still real.

It is only the pace of the story which brings my rating down from eight to seven. It did take me a while to become absorbed by the story. Yet I never had a feeling that I did not want to finish.

Kraken is an enjoyable science fiction story. Wrapped in social and political satire, supported by entertaining wordplay and literary allusions. It may not be John Wyndham's best but it is a very good book.

Read it as a science fiction "classic". Read it to appreciate the breadth of Wyndham's writing ability. Read it for enjoyment.

Kraken is well worth reading.

====    Dr Nick Lethbridge
Flâneur / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
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"Being funny is being awake to the absurdity of normalcy." … Bob Mankoff

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Now so much more than a simple holiday blog:  https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au :-)
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