War with the Newts

By Karel Capek 1936,

My summary...

An intelligent species of salamander is discovered in an island. The newts spawn and spread abroad and are finally being enslaved... until they rise up.

My opinion...

Quite a good dystopian novel as well as "1984". It's particularly well written with a style that makes me think of a play.

1. After further readings, I discovered that the newt in the book is inspired by a fossil of an extinct salamander.

2. It's an allegory of the world on the road to war. For instance, governments cannot respond properly to the newts' threat because of international disputes.

3. You will enjoy the first chapters, it's a funny satire of the modern world (not outdated unfortunately).

4. Despite "1984", it is not settled in any dated future, the story even ends up with the mythical image of Atlantis, refering to the destroyed continents.

5. The very end is quite interesting, the author discusses with himself, trying to bring a « happy end » in a world nearly turned to wrecks.

Medicis