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A review by beaconatnight
Atom-U-Boot S 1881 by Frank Herbert
2.0
The book is marketed with a strong emphasis on a supposed psychological dimension to the plot. Unfortunately, from a modern perspective these themes feel underdeveloped. However, there is a constant tension that still makes it worth your time if you are looking for a war novel in a science-fiction setting.
The East and the West have been at war for over a decade, with some areas (the UK is mentioned explicitly) having fallen victim to nuclear attacks. Resource scarcities, particularly of oil, make it increasingly harder for both sides to keep up their war efforts. The story follows an submarine team of the West (of course) whose mission it is to sneak up very close to Russian territory, to skim oil reserves unknown to the other side, and bring their cargo safely back home.
Potential encounters with enemy ships are not the only danger on the high seas, though. There had been reports of many submarine crews going mad, so the mental health of the crew is another risk factor. Because of this, one of the crew members (the story's main protagonist, John "Johnny" Ramsey) secretly functions as a psychologist, mainly observing and evaluating the ship's captain. And there is something else. Soon after they put to sea, there are indications for sabotage and the murder of a secret service associate comes to light, which makes their situation even more precarious.
Many of the dialogs revolve around Ramsey's true role on the ship, and there is the ongoing investigation on who the traitor is. To be honest, it isn't long before the mutual accusations become quite tedious. It does get better towards the end, though. What I quite liked where the encounters with enemy ships, and I would have liked to have a bit more on that and it felt a bit strange how easily they escaped at times.
The book really goes into some depth in its technical descriptions of what is going on, which is impressive on the one hand, but which at times made it very difficult for me to understand what was really going on. I have to say that I kind of regret that I didn't do some proper research before diving deeper into the plot (no pun intended). I think that would have improved my enjoyment of the novel greatly.
Readers coming from "Dune" may want to readjust their expectations. While there is something of the same strategic thinking in here, the characters are certainly much less likable and the overall feeling of this book is terribly dry. There probably aren't many books like this out there, and if you are into submarines and navel battles and things like that you will be all over it, but this certainly isn't for everyone.
Rating: 2.5/5
The East and the West have been at war for over a decade, with some areas (the UK is mentioned explicitly) having fallen victim to nuclear attacks. Resource scarcities, particularly of oil, make it increasingly harder for both sides to keep up their war efforts. The story follows an submarine team of the West (of course) whose mission it is to sneak up very close to Russian territory, to skim oil reserves unknown to the other side, and bring their cargo safely back home.
Potential encounters with enemy ships are not the only danger on the high seas, though. There had been reports of many submarine crews going mad, so the mental health of the crew is another risk factor. Because of this, one of the crew members (the story's main protagonist, John "Johnny" Ramsey) secretly functions as a psychologist, mainly observing and evaluating the ship's captain. And there is something else. Soon after they put to sea, there are indications for sabotage and the murder of a secret service associate comes to light, which makes their situation even more precarious.
Many of the dialogs revolve around Ramsey's true role on the ship, and there is the ongoing investigation on who the traitor is. To be honest, it isn't long before the mutual accusations become quite tedious. It does get better towards the end, though. What I quite liked where the encounters with enemy ships, and I would have liked to have a bit more on that and it felt a bit strange how easily they escaped at times.
The book really goes into some depth in its technical descriptions of what is going on, which is impressive on the one hand, but which at times made it very difficult for me to understand what was really going on. I have to say that I kind of regret that I didn't do some proper research before diving deeper into the plot (no pun intended). I think that would have improved my enjoyment of the novel greatly.
Readers coming from "Dune" may want to readjust their expectations. While there is something of the same strategic thinking in here, the characters are certainly much less likable and the overall feeling of this book is terribly dry. There probably aren't many books like this out there, and if you are into submarines and navel battles and things like that you will be all over it, but this certainly isn't for everyone.
Rating: 2.5/5