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The Kraken Wakes

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The Kraken Wakes

By: John Wyndham
Narrated by: John Sackville
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About this listen

Ships are sinking for no apparent reason, carrying hundreds to a dark underwater grave. Strange fireballs race through the sky above the deepest trenches of the oceans. Something is about to show itself, something terrible and alien, a force capable of causing global catastrophe.

©1953 John Wyndham (P)2022 Audible, Ltd
Genetic Engineering Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Space Exploration Space Fiction Genetics Interstellar Scary
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What listeners say about The Kraken Wakes

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A good reading of an interesting and pertinent story

A good reading of an interesting and pertinent story. So many parallels with current events (minus the aliens, of course).

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A little too cynical

I enjoyed this for the most part. A fun premise with some exciting scenes and interesting characters.

However, I think the cynicism for governments and people's behaviour in crisis were exaggerated greatly, to make a point. Unfortunately for me it made key parts of the story quite hard to believe. The story relies upon completely ignoring the sentiment of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". I think given an apocalyptic situation, which could mean the extinction of man, politics would set by the wayside. For the most part at least. Survival instinct would surely overule?

The end of the book feels a little rushed, an extremely simple solution is found for the spacefaring species which until 5 minutes from the end of the book have possibly not even suffered a casualty. We also get no explanation to their motivations or machinations.

The narration is very good. Definitely a good choice for this book.

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So relevant even today

This story from 1953 has plenty that is relevant today. From the political machinations of the press to the danger of climate change you will be surprised this book wasn't written recently.

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1 person found this helpful

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Obviously dated but still good

Interesting how the theme resonates today with global warming raising the oceans and the world’s governments slow to react

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good classic

good recount of a classic tale. well worth a listen well read well paced and enjoyable.

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Prescient...

Imagine global warming sped up x20, plus a dash of Brexit and you have a feeling of The Kraken Awakes. Chillingly observed and insightful, as are all the best John Wyndham stories.

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its a muddle

its like he read 20 thou leagues under the sea and war of the worlds then wrote this....its all over the place..
alas he is not in tbe same ball park

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classic

very dated, with some gasping moments, but I really enjoyed this book from a legend of a writer

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  • Overall
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Intriguing take on an alien invasion

A great John Wyndam tale brilliantly narrated. it's a sideways look at the classic alien invasion yarn. Engaging for this, still exciting in many places and thoughtful throughout. The reading is faultless.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Great narration, interesting story

Particularly enjoyed how the narrator performed the interplay between the protagonist and his wife who invariably are only able to find the solution to what is going on through combining their different perspectives.

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