- Paperback: 170 pages
- Publisher: Tachyon Publications (3 Feb 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1892391848
- ISBN-13: 978-1892391841
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 12.7 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 530,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Shambling Towards Hiroshima
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Product Description
Review
"A ridiculously fun read. Pitch-perfect satire." --"Fantasy & Science Fiction"
Product Description
In the tradition of Godzilla as both a playful romp and a parable of the dawn of the nuclear era, this original satire blends the destruction of World War II with the halcyon pleasure of monster movies. In the summer of 1945 war is reigning in the Pacific Rim, while in the U.S. Syms Thorley continues his life as a B-movie actor. But the U.S. Navy would like to use Thorley in their top-secret Knickerbocker Project, putting the finishing touches on the ultimate biological weapon: a breed of gigantic, fire-breathing, mutant iguanas. Thorley is to don a rubber suit that will transform him into the merciless Gorgantis and star in a film that simulates the destruction of a miniature Japan - if the demonstration succeeds, the Japanese will surrender, sparing thousands of lives; if it fails, the mutant lizards will be unleashed. Godzilla devotees and history buffs alike will be fascinated by this conspiratorial secret history of a war, a weapon, and an unlikely hero who will have to give the most convincing performance of his life.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
You'll never read anything else like it. Unfortunately the Amazon summary gives away too much of the wacky story, I would have summarised it as follows: "In the 1940s, a B-movie actor specialising in rubber suit monster roles, is enlisted by the military for a top secret performance". You don't need to know more upfront.
This book is very cleverly constructed and if you've seen a number of b&w monster movies then you'll smile when reading several paragraphs. The interesting thing is, it's not just a one-joke book because the story becomes quite endearing with a powerful anti-war undercurrent.
The title and summary may make it seem like the most basic kind of pulp story, but the story is actually very nicely crafted and well written. It's (partly) ABOUT B-movie monster pulp, but it's not pulp itself.
This book is truly a treasure if you are a jaded reader who finds it increasingly difficult to be find a really fresh and original story. There are many books that I close after one chapter, and in contrast this one charmed me from start to finish. Really special.
This book is very cleverly constructed and if you've seen a number of b&w monster movies then you'll smile when reading several paragraphs. The interesting thing is, it's not just a one-joke book because the story becomes quite endearing with a powerful anti-war undercurrent.
The title and summary may make it seem like the most basic kind of pulp story, but the story is actually very nicely crafted and well written. It's (partly) ABOUT B-movie monster pulp, but it's not pulp itself.
This book is truly a treasure if you are a jaded reader who finds it increasingly difficult to be find a really fresh and original story. There are many books that I close after one chapter, and in contrast this one charmed me from start to finish. Really special.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
THIS IS A HILARIOUS TAKE ON HOW WE MIGHT HAVE AVOIDED THE TRAGEDY OF THE HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI BOMBS - COMPLETELY OFF THE WALL, BUT NEVERTHELESS NO MORE RIDICULOUS THAN THE WAY IN WHICH MUCH OF THE WORLD'S CONFLICTS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED. I WOULD HAPPILY ACCEPT A SMIDGEON OF MORROW'S IMAGINATION FOR MYSELF - AND - YOU GET DROLLERY TOO!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
15 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Fantastic nostalgic novel.
20 April 2009
Format:Paperback
Syms Thorley is a B-movie actor and writer renowned for his award-winning portrayals of monsters in 1940s Hollywood. Things are going well for Thorley: he's got the admiration of his fans, a steady work stream, and a brilliant script he and his girlfriend cooked up that could change the face of monster movies forever. But then the government shows up asking for his help: they need him for a top secret project to get the Japanese to surrender. What Thorley doesn't understand is why the need him. What good can a B-list monster movie actor do for the government? With this question looming overhead, Thorley soon discoveries that sometimes monsters aren't only in the movies...
Morrow's novel is a short one, but it sure packs a punch. A merger of the edginess of pulp fiction (the literary form, not the movie) and popular media drawn into reality, Shambling Towards Hiroshima sends us on what might be the ultimate top secret adventure. This isn't a novel that wants you to take it too seriously, though; it's a novel that is aware of the absurdity of its speculative claim and is all too prepared to capitalize on that in Morrow's writing style and characters. There is something both subtle and outrageous about the idea of the U.S. government using real-life monsters against the Japanese, particularly now that we think of Japan in terms of Godzilla jokes or production quality.
And I think this is Shambling Towards Hiroshima's strong point. Because it didn't take itself to seriously, I was able to set aside the little parts of me that wanted to call B.S. throughout the story. After all, this is an alternative history, of sorts, and it proposes something that is not only outlandish, but appropriately nostalgic. It works, too, because Thorley is an interesting character surrounded by a band of comical stereotypes who constantly add conflict to the main character's secret mission.
Morrow's style is clear and precise, with just enough comedic flare to keep things interesting. Even though Shambling Towards Hiroshima is a short novel, I found it incredibly enjoyable from start to finish, following the exploits of Thorley as he processed everything that was going on around him and attempted to put on a damn good show. There's something fascinating in being pulled back to the "good ole days" of science fiction television and film. From the start, I was immediately reminded on the Sci Fi Channel back when it used to run old Japanese monster movies practically on a loop. Those were the days, and being reminded of those nostalgic moments in childhood turned this novel into more than just another read, but something I could connect to my youth.
If you like the occasional pulp fiction novel, or even want to read about giant monsters tearing down cities and what not, then this is certainly a novel for you. You can find it at Tachyon Publications, a small press located in San Francisco, or pretty much anywhere you can order books from. Give it a look!
Morrow's novel is a short one, but it sure packs a punch. A merger of the edginess of pulp fiction (the literary form, not the movie) and popular media drawn into reality, Shambling Towards Hiroshima sends us on what might be the ultimate top secret adventure. This isn't a novel that wants you to take it too seriously, though; it's a novel that is aware of the absurdity of its speculative claim and is all too prepared to capitalize on that in Morrow's writing style and characters. There is something both subtle and outrageous about the idea of the U.S. government using real-life monsters against the Japanese, particularly now that we think of Japan in terms of Godzilla jokes or production quality.
And I think this is Shambling Towards Hiroshima's strong point. Because it didn't take itself to seriously, I was able to set aside the little parts of me that wanted to call B.S. throughout the story. After all, this is an alternative history, of sorts, and it proposes something that is not only outlandish, but appropriately nostalgic. It works, too, because Thorley is an interesting character surrounded by a band of comical stereotypes who constantly add conflict to the main character's secret mission.
Morrow's style is clear and precise, with just enough comedic flare to keep things interesting. Even though Shambling Towards Hiroshima is a short novel, I found it incredibly enjoyable from start to finish, following the exploits of Thorley as he processed everything that was going on around him and attempted to put on a damn good show. There's something fascinating in being pulled back to the "good ole days" of science fiction television and film. From the start, I was immediately reminded on the Sci Fi Channel back when it used to run old Japanese monster movies practically on a loop. Those were the days, and being reminded of those nostalgic moments in childhood turned this novel into more than just another read, but something I could connect to my youth.
If you like the occasional pulp fiction novel, or even want to read about giant monsters tearing down cities and what not, then this is certainly a novel for you. You can find it at Tachyon Publications, a small press located in San Francisco, or pretty much anywhere you can order books from. Give it a look!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
I-guana tell ya ....
27 Feb 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoy Morrow's off-beat humor and his method of twisting reality. This book is a noir-ish, fantasy-ish take on the good old armed forces oxymoron ... (you've probably already said it to yourself - if not, think MI). It also spoofs Japanese monster movies. Lizards have a prominent role.
If you click on "See all Editorial Reviews" above you can read the description of the story. This is a very short/quick read (there are only 170 numbered pages) and in his acknowledgments Morrow calls it a novella. It's too short for me to give it five stars, but it was enjoyable.
If you like satire and tongue-in-cheek humor, give this book a try.
If you click on "See all Editorial Reviews" above you can read the description of the story. This is a very short/quick read (there are only 170 numbered pages) and in his acknowledgments Morrow calls it a novella. It's too short for me to give it five stars, but it was enjoyable.
If you like satire and tongue-in-cheek humor, give this book a try.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
A Giant Petri Dish of Fun
17 Feb 2009
Format:Paperback
If you like all those monster magazines and McFarland books and about B-movies, Lugosi, Chaney, King Kong, and Godzilla, you will love James Morrow's Shambling Toward Hiroshima. Maybe not as deep as the ethical dilemmas in The Philosopher's Apprentice or as dramatic as the clash between reason and superstition in The Last Witchfinder, but Shambling is a giant petri dish of fun and still has its poignant moments.
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