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The Kraken Wakes

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The Kraken Wakes

By: John Wyndham
Narrated by: Alex Jennings
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About this listen

Journalist Mike Watson and his wife, Phyllis, trace it back to the strange showering lights they noticed on the final day of their honeymoon cruise; lights which appeared to land and disappear into the water. Reports mount of similar sightings all over the world. Governments embark on missions to investigate the sea, but ships disappear and diving crews never return to the surface. Something deep in the ocean does not want to be disturbed.

The Kraken Wakes is a tale of humanity’s efforts to resist alien invasion, narrated by Mike who unfolds the story as experienced by the couple - from the earliest signs of trouble, to the conflict between the sea-dwelling creatures and the human world. John Wyndham’s classic science-fiction masterpiece is powerfully brought to life in this unabridged production. His other titles - The Midwich Cuckoos and The Day Of the Triffids - are also published as audiobooks by CSA Word.

©1953 CSA Word (P)2011 CSA Word Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Fiction Scary
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Would you consider the audio edition of The Kraken Wakes to be better than the print version?

Yes, in the sense that there are some dull and directionless bits that I would have found hard going if I was reading it myself.
There is one scene in which the Prime Minister makes an announcement. We are not told the name of the PM, but Jennings does a rather good impersonation of Winston Churchill.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kraken Wakes?

The early indications that there is something hostile in the deep sea is suitably unsettling. After the first bad experience with a diving bell, we think the navy is taking sufficient precautions - so what happens next comes as something of a shock.
Mostly though it's not about moments so much as the gradual change as the effects of the invasion take effect.

Have you listened to any of Alex Jennings’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No. Too many of his readings are of abridged books. I might try the Susan Cooper Dark is Rising series though, and maybe Shakespeare's Sonnets.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really. Actually that's a problem I've had with some of Wyndham's other works (Triffids, Cuckoos) - a lack of immediacy. Often outcomes are given before the events leading up to them, killing any possibility of suspense.

Any additional comments?

It's understood that The Kraken Wakes was Wyndham's attempt to do an alien invasion story that was different to The War of the Worlds. I think he succeeded admirably. I particularly liked his deliberate echoes of the H.G. Wells book (strange lights appearing in the general direction of Mars), presumably included to highlight the differences.
On reflection, I'd say that if you only ever read two alien invasion novels, The War of the Worlds and The Kraken Wakes are probably the ones to go for.

They come over here stealing our deep places...

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Where does The Kraken Wakes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 10.

What did you like best about this story?

It is the best novel of its kind much more enjoyable than "Day of the Triffids." The haunting atmosphere that comes across in the story is beautifully narrated in this adaptation.

Which character – as performed by Alex Jennings – was your favourite?

Phyllis is so matter of fact and sensible a perfect foil for Mike

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Watch the Seas

Any additional comments?

Re-kindled my enjoyment of audiobooks

Brilliant

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For those who don’t know this book, I think it is better than The Day of the Triffids which is John Wyndham’s most well-known book.



Again, don’t be put off by the slightly dated writing because it is a good story. All the characters are good, Alex Jennings reads it so well and the story is frightening real.



Many of John Wyndham stories of “what would happen if….”. If you look beneath the science fiction aspect of the story, its description of a world flooded and how humanity deals with it.

What a book!

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A thoughtful look at the collapse of society from what could easily have been an environmental (rather than an alien induced) disaster. Although the plot centres on the adventures of the main characters it also follows the manner in which our civilisation may change and what that would mean for the people living through such times. If you like this type of apocalyptic tale, then The Kraken awakes is an excellent read. I would also recommend "The death of grass".
A well told story narrated in a non intrusive manner.

Enjoyable end of the world drama

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Did I miss something, I think I missed the actual kraken part ? Plus the story ends abruptly..

What kraken?

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