Customer Reviews

Wasp

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a teenaged devotee of Sci-Fi in the late 50's, this was one of the first of a select list of books of any genre that impacted my life. I didn't fully understand why this was so then; I only knew it was special, even tremendously relevant at some fundamental level. At the time, yes, it completely entertained me with its action and its sardonic and irreverent narrative. Beyond that, the precepts of this novel created an unease in my mind that remained with me over the years. Full comprehension followed with a little more life experience and a better understanding of humanity and our history. Now this book not only entertains and intrigues, but frightens as well

"Wasp" is a portrayal of how devastating a single, well-equipped terrorist can be to a society (especially a technology-based one). Though the society targeted in this novel is (humanoid) alien and the terrorist a human patriot (albeit not entirely willing) passing as an alien with the help of some surgical modifications, it is entirely believable that the author drew upon human social conditions, especially our foibles and weaknesses, as the basis for this alien society.

Using an insidious "monkey wrench" approach, one individual (suborning marginal elements of the enemy society for use as unwitting accomplices) spreads dissention and disinformation and fear, and so distracts the enemy police and military that the result is the creation of an environment in which the society can be more easily subdued with an overt military invasion. Hence, the precept of this novel as presented at the beginning of the narrative: A wasp buzzing around threateningly in the close, closed quarters of a car traveling a high-speed can cause the driver to lose control, resulting in the death and destruction of relative giants and their huge machine.

"Wasp" is frighteningly close to a workable blueprint for effective terrorism today in most any society on this planet -- especially if there are certain fundamental social conditions at work and certain enabling technologies, chiefly communications-related, in place that can be meaningfully exploited (in addition to being feared by the novel's protagonist).

About the only "criticism" I have relates to the novel's presentation of technology. The author mostly avoided technological traps by simply not going into "the details," and the story suffers nothing for that since the book is mostly about people and governments, and the exploitation of their foibles and fears.

The most technologically "off" element in this novel relates to electronics, particularly communications and, to a lesser degree, computers and "recognition" technology, or the lack thereof. The alien space-faring society's police and military seems pretty much stuck in a 1950's human communications environment where the kind of personal radio communication common with today's police and military is far advanced from that in the novel. I don't really find this deficiency distracting, just amusing. If you read the book and find its technological deficiencies truly distracting, then you have surely missed the essence and relevance of this great novel.

Since I first read it (and Russell's other brilliant books such as Men, Martians and Machines and Three to Conquer) in my early teens, I have regarded Wasp as one of the true SF classics. It ranks with Bester's The Demolished Man and Tiger! Tiger!, as well as the best of Clarke and Heinlein, although its sardonic tone has more in common with Robert Sheckley.

Although set in a future a few centuries ahead, when Earth is at war with the Sirian Combine, Wasp is directly transplanted from conventional warfare of the Second World War era. Indeed, I don't know why it took so long to dawn on me that the Sirians are analogues of the Japanese (as stereotyped by many Americans in the immediate aftermath of WW2), while the noble Earthmen are essentially 1950s Americans (as stereotyped by themselves). Oh sure, the Sirians are purple instead of yellow - but they are short, bandy-legged, and fanatical. To clinch it, their dreaded secret police is called the Kaitempi: compare the actual Japanese Kampeitei.

The Sirians have a great advantage in numbers, but the Earthmen are smarter. How to make the most of their quicker wits and superior technology? One way is to drop secret agents behind enemy lines to sow confusion, dissension and destruction. The result is dramatic, convincing and (in parts) riotously funny. Some of the dialog stays with you for life, such as this immortal parody of a government communique: "For months we have been making triumphant retreats before a demoralised enemy who is advancing in utter disorder".

I read WASP years and years ago. Bought a copy and every so often I reread it. It is a simple book, simply written but I do feel it is one of the best SiFi books to come along in the past 30 years. Sometimes simple is simply the best. The entire book can easly be read in one setting and it is a delight. I do hope that the next generation of readers discover this one as they will be missing something quite delightful if they don't.

This book is a classic in the sense that it is timeless. If you wnat to know how to disrupt a society, then this book is a text book. If you want to know how not to respond to such an attack, which is in many ways remarkably similar to that that took place in New York City on 9/11/01, then this is your book.
The idea of such warfare is to provoke a disporportionate reaction, wildly disproportionate if at all possible.
It is also a very fun read. Great book. Very perceptive.

Eric Frank Russell is absolutely the master of showing the possibilities of humanity at its best. Using a metaphor whereby a wasp in a car causes the driver to have an accident, killing four grown men, a man is convinced to go in alone and take down the government of a hostile alien planet. It's truly inspring to see this man, using nothing more than his brain and some supplies sent with him, torment and annoy the government, thereby aiding Terran forces.

I first read this book in early 60s and have reread it a few times since. It is a timeless story of how one man, with some essential supplies, can disrupt a whole world. More importantly to me was that soon after reading it for the first time, I read a review of it in Astoundin magazine. There the reviewer mentioned THE GOOD SOLDIER SCHWEIK and THE REVOLT OF GUNNER ASCH. I found Scweik heavy going but the Revolt of Gunner Asch introduced me to Hans helmuth Kirst. I have been reading Kirst ever since. Apparently, somebody in Germany has recently come out with a trilogy of videos "08/15 Trilogy" which comprises the first three (of four total) Gunner Asch novels: The Revolt of Gunner Asch Forward Gunner Asch The Return Of Gunner Asch. and all this became available to me because Eric Frank Russell wrote the WASP.

"Wasp" (1957) is the clever intergalactic story of espionage and terrorism. A human secret agent, in disguise, infiltrates the Sirian Empire, a fascist police state at war with earth. Like a tiny harmless insect flying around a full-sized motorcar, distracting the driver and causing a fatal accident, James Mowry tries to cause domestic chaos among the Sirians, hoping to distract the Sirians, faciliating a Terran attack. The story is witty and well-paced, Mowry almost anticipating television's MacGyver, except turned free-wheeling terrorist: resourceful, daring, intelligent, and above all effective.

Eric Frank Russell became a popular writer of science fiction after spending World War II in the RAF (he was from England, 1905-1978). His light-hearted stories aren't outright comedies, but typically celebrate the advantages of modern technology, and the victory of individuality over bureaucratic pompousity. His storytelling in "Wasp" is brisk, his writing sharp. This novel is intelligent, compelling, easy to read, and brief (175 pages), almost a cross between between science fiction and fine literature. SF fans will enjoy the action and the clever use of technology (surprisingly not too out-dated), and literary readers will enjoy the author's insightful dissection of fascist society, through his secret agent's resourceful and almost joyous use of that society's foolish rigidity against it. Mowry hops dexterously from episode to episode, leaving increased anarchy and chaos in his twisty trail. It's the satisfying and suspensful adventure of a charming provocateur.

I read this book in the early 60's. I promised myself I would never forget the title so as to read it again as soon as I found a copy. I'm still waiting . I hope it will be available soon and recommend it to all who like interesting books, not just Science Fiction!

I read this book when I was eleven or so and have spent the rest of my reading life in search of something that fascinated me more. Tolkien's was the only fiction that may have done so, but it is, of course, nothing like Wasp.

WASP is a short, simply written book, but it has some quality that makes people mad for it. I think it is the sardonic omniscient voice that adds so much to the flavor of WASP: the voice of the Author himself.

A new edition was published not long ago that was completely unabridged. I felt the slightly abridged version read better (It's always good to cut out the fancy talk.). But I may just be used to the same slightly shorter edition most people have read.

If you want a guaranteed fascinating read (and be swept away on wings of reading enjoyment!), buy this book now. Be forewarned, however, that some might say it kind of glorifies terrorism.

I'd give a 5 star review to the printed version, which I read back in the eary 1960s. I was looking forward to reading it as an ebook, but the sample I downloaded shows that the ebook version hasn't been proofread, as it contains many typos. So the ebook gets only two stars. At $10, it's a bit on the expensive side for a 50 year old book, also, but I don't give low ratings for that.