Another Wyndham classic

Another Wyndham classic - once more it is alien invasion, this time emerging from beneath the waves. As always, he considers ethical and moral aspects as well as simply writing a cracking good yard: this audio version is well read, and the brief musical interludes between each section are an absolutely perfect accompaniment.

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6 people found this helpful

Alex Jennings makes a great story even greater.

Love everything by John Wyndham and read his stuff many times. The narration here was a real surprise. at some points you almost wouldn't believe it's the same person,.so skilful at changing his intonation and accent.

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Simple but astutely relevant today

Would you consider the audio edition of The Kraken Wakes to be better than the print version?

Not better but with an added dimension. The book is narrated by one of the central characters, Mike Watson, a journalist. Giving a voice to his narration and his dialogue with his wife Phyllis gives animation to a fairly simple narration.

What did you like best about this story?

The story, while post-apocalyptic, is about how government, the media, science and the general public respond to a serious and ill-defined threat. This could not be more pertinent to today's western cultures.

Any additional comments?

The story is told in a very low-key, "British diffidence" style despite the sensational subject material. The characters are generally two-dimensional but it is still an appealing read (or listen).

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annoying music

Well read, bit dated now. unnecessary music at start and end of chapters, very distracting.

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Good story, well read

Stands the test of time pretty well. Very well read with believable characterization. A good listen.

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One the British SciFi greats

Would you listen to The Kraken Wakes again? Why?

I first read this book in the late 1960s when I was in my teens. Now in my sixties, I wondered how well it would stand up to these modern times and my changing tastes. Well, I have to say I enjoyed it today every bit as much as I did 45 years ago! I have long thought of John Wyndham as one of Britains best 20th century writers (of any genre), and particularly of SciFi. Of course it's slightly dated but not so dated as to make it irrelevant to today's readers. The story could be recast in today's Britain without much change being needed. Over shadowed by the Day of the Triffids, it is an excellent book and really deserves more critical attention.

What other book might you compare The Kraken Wakes to, and why?

The Day of the Triffids and The Chrysalids. Both post apocalyptic stories in the same vein as The Kraken Awakes. Two of the best books of their type and era.

What does Alex Jennings bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

It's a bit difficult reading a book when walking the dogs or driving the car on the motorway. Alex Jennings has been good company this last few days when doing both. I like his style and his delivery. The production of the audio book was excellent with, unusually, a music sound track to break up some chapters and sections of the book.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me smile and occasionally chuckle. I don't think it set out to make you either laugh or cry, just to make you think.

Any additional comments?

Great book!

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Very good but unbearable at times.

This is UK recording of the UK book. Performance and story are great but...

... for a book written almost 70 years ago it is frighteningly prescient. Governments failing their citizens, death, tragedy, external malign influences that can't be resolved with existing technologies. Selfish individuals putting the less able in peril.

I had to take a break from this book and recording as Omricon arrived in the UK. it was all too familiar. But I did finish the book and I am glad I did.

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good but lose the .music

A good war of the worlds tale. a classic of british SF.
the performance is good. british accents were not great but didn't detract for me.
musical intermissions were odd. not a big deal but the experience would be better without them.

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Clay feet

I have read all of John Wyndham's books several decades ago and loved every one of them. He was one of my Sci-Fi gods but listening to this one after all these years has been a great disappointment. The story is as captivating as I remember but the narrator (rightly so) brings the journalist couple more to life than I recall or perhaps took note of in the mind's eye of my younger self.
The pomposity and self indulgent, classist attitude of the story telling characters was just too irritating. The superior attitudes and their classist lifestyle spoilt the whole memory for me.
I think I'll leave the other Wyndham books to live in my enthralled memory and not be tempted to have the good story idea's spoiled by irritating characters.

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fabulous

fabulous production of this far to little known gem of 20th century literature. well worth a download

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