This 1971 sci-fi thriller is built on an interesting idea: what if a mutant plastic-eating bacterium was unleashed on the world? True to the best science fiction, it combines a healthy dose of real science along with a suspenseful adventure story: a group of scientists investigating a sudden electrical failure in the London underground find themselves trapped after an explosion and fire caused by the bacterial destruction of the insulation on electrical wires all over the city. They need to find their way out through darkened tunnels festooned with foul-smelling pools of melted plastic. The authors did their homework on chemistry, microbiology and other areas of science as it was in 1971, and the gradual uncovering of the mystery of the mutant bacterial strain keeps the plot moving nicely.
The writing is inconsistent, though, and the book could have used more editorial polish, but characters and dialogue are competent for the most part. There is a budding romance that plays out to a satisfactory conclusion, and a corporate malefactor who comes to a violent end. Much of the boardroom bickering is dull but necessary as we see how executive greed led to the disaster, and how a scientific consultant with moral integrity finds a solution to the problem.
Plastic-eating bacteria do exist, and although they are much less voracious than the strain described here, it is interesting to contemplate what would happen if the plastic in our world ever came under attack--it would quickly destroy civilization. Mutant 59 does a credible job of showing us how that might happen.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2016
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Top reviews from other countries
Mr Creosote
You know, this would make a good film!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2016Verified Purchase
Camaro
A believable ‘what if’.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2020Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
1970s schlock horror
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2018Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
A good time to read this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2018Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Have re read this after 40 years and it has ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2016Verified Purchase
