The Kraken Wakes

One hesitates to blame global warming on aliens, but maybe John Wyndham is onto something in his 1953 science-fiction classic, which features a world environmental disaster. Eerie fireballs drop from the sky, creating impenetrable fogs, melting ice caps, and seemingly intelligent ship-eating creatures who emerge from the ocean depths (the Kraken). Playing journalists Mike and Phyllis Watson, Jonathan Cake and Saira Todd have a wonderful time narrating this tale of British pluck and ingenuity. From the sounds of first contact with the mysterious aliens to the wails of lost souls drowning in the rising tides, the nonstop action is deftly enhanced with music and sound effects. The result is a robust cautionary adventure reminiscent in style, pace, and theme to Wyndham's best-known work, THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS. B.P. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

June 15, 2012

Previously published in England as Out of the Deep, noted British sf author Wyndham's story unfolds through English journalist Mike Watson's account of events witnessed by himself and his new wife. Starting on their honeymoon with what he describes as fireballs falling from the sky, the story evolves to attacks by "sea tanks" and unusually fast-melting icebergs. Not your typical sf story, the aliens are no longer confined to coming from outer space to conquer the planet. The action is delivered in three phases, which move the plot along wonderfully. However, there's little character development along the way. British narrator Alex Jennings shows animation, playing multiple people very well, including English, Russian, and French characters. VERDICT Fans of H.G. Wells's War of the Worlds will enjoy this audiobook.--Jessi Brown, Huntington City Twp. P.L., IN

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.