Customer Reviews

Out of the Deeps

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I can't understand why John Wyndham's works are not more popular. This book is a perfect example of great sci-fi; interesting ideas, elegantly written, and compulsively readable. There is a sense of wonder here that is absent from most contemporary work. Wyndham's aliens are unfathomable and implacable, and the scenes of a drowned London are unforgettable. Highly recommended. I wish there were authors around still capable of writing books like this, but clearly there aren't.

"Out of the Deeps" by John Wyndham (pseud. for John Beynon Harris) is more than a rattling good yarn. Like all his best works ("Day of the Triffids," "The Chrysalids," "The Midwich Cuckoos"), it posits an intelligent species with needs and aims unimaginably different from our own. The species mounts an attack, and the heroes and heroines somehow survive it, fight back, and win. (In "Chrysalids," the good guys are members of the new species.) If, like me, you're a feminist, try not to be put off by Wyndham's unblushing belief that women are their biology. His innovative thinking and anti-war beliefs, along with his impressive scorn of social institutions, are too good to miss, and he tells a compelling story.

I found this story in a collection of 3 John Wyndham novels in my local library. In this volume, the novel is entitled "The Kraken Awakes". It is an excellent, gripping science fiction story of an alien invasion that is written in a style that makes it utterly believable. I became so involved in the tale that it took me awhile to collect myself and return to reality each time I put the book down. Absolutely chilling.

It is a shame John Wyndham's books are no longer in print. His writing compares quite favorably to Wells, Asimov, and Heinlein. He should be considered one of the better writers in the field. There is a feeling of horror throughout this book that puts it miles above other "invaders from another planet" tales.

In his second novel, John Wyndham demonstrates the influence of H.G. Wells by writing a book that is similar to "The War of the Worlds." While the aliens in Wells' novel exist on the land, the aliens in Wyndham's novel take refuge in the sea. Looking away from the obvious similarities, "Out of the Deeps" is actually a good read.

As fireballs descend from the sky into the deepest parts of the oceans, the world pays little attention except for the central characters. Phyllis and Mike witness the fireballs on their honeymoon cruise. The "mad scientist" Bocker joins their inner-circle of research despite his thoughts being mocked in many ciricles. When islands of people begin to disappear, Mike and Phyllis seek to find out who or what is doing it. They are among the first to attach the disappearances to the fireballs. Credit must be given to the author. Even while this novel bears a resemblance to Wells' novel, Wyndham ackowledges Wells' novel in his book as a clever frame of references.

Toward the end, the story drags considerably. "Phase Three" of the book spends significant time describing the state of the world as the beings apparently win their conflict with humans. The reader is still drawn by the solution to the conflict, which is worth the wait.

John Wyndham's work is often underappreciated in the science fiction genre. While this is not his best work, it is entertaining and unique in some ways.

Before "Independence Day" and even "War of the Worlds" (film version), there was John Wyndham's book, "Out of the Deeps". The title refers to invaders who come from the sea, relentlessly attacking coastal areas, then spreading death and destruction to inland areas across the globe. Humanity's nemesis is intractable, and the course of the invasion chillingly described, in the style of the best H.G. Wells or H.P. Lovecraft work. The method of the invasion is unique, to my knowledge, and the scale immense. If you might enjoy the heart-pounding realism of humanity facing an implacable foe, I heartily recommend this book.

John Wyndham has crafted a story that is both realistic and fascinating, while never allowing the suspense to drop. The aliens in this story are not here to teach us a lesson on how to properly take care of our world, nor do we ever see them. Their motivations and reasoning are left largely unexplored, but that makes the story all the stronger. The two central characters, Mike and Phyllus, and the pesimistic and overly-intelligent scientist Boker, are likeable. The ending was very sudden and maybe a tiny bit on the disbelievable side, but hey it worked.

Give this one ago, very solid sci-fi novel.

A great science fiction book, and one that made me glad that I started my collection of stories by John Wyndam. It is one of those stories that is hard to put down once started. Well paced, clever concept (aliens landing on earth but hiding in the deep ocean trenches until they are ready to challenge the human race), and a surprise to me that it was not made into a movie. Although I had read and watched (the original 'Day of the Triffids' and English movie from the 1960's which even now is still enjoyable)and also read 'The Midwich Cuckoos' (from which was made 'The Village of the Damned' an American movie which I saw but did not greatly impress) and 'The Crysalids', I had not up to this time owned any of his work. I have since that time bought and enjoyed the following:The Day of the Triffids (20th Century Rediscoveries),The Chrysalids (New York Review Books Classics),The Midwich Cuckoos, and The Seeds of Time. Of all these, the latter most surprised me, as it is not a story but a collection of short stories. Not all equally gripping, but generally okay. Nonetheless Wyndam demonstrates his ability to dream up and develop clever ideas. He was a great writer, pity he is no longer with us.

An intelligent species occupying an area of the earth which we cannot is an excellent premise. Creatures comfortable in the deep ocean trenches would surely be a nightmare!!