War with the Newts
“War with the Newts” by Karel Čapek, published by Penguin in 1998, is a notable work in the realm of literary fiction. This 338-page novel presents a dystopian satire that explores the intersection of ecological disaster and capitalism through the lens of a unique narrative. The story follows Captain von Toch, who discovers a breed of intelligent newts in Polynesia and envisions their potential as a workforce for various underwater projects. However, the situation escalates as the newts begin to multiply uncontrollably, leading to unforeseen consequences.
Readers will find that the novel serves as both a commentary on the rise of fascism and a critique of financial motivations in society. Čapek’s work is recognized for its early contributions to science fiction, blending humor with chilling insights into human nature and environmental issues. This edition, written in English, invites readers to engage with themes that remain relevant today, making it a significant addition to the literary canon.
Official synopsis Publisher
Orwell meets Vonnegut in the simultaneously hilarious and chilling masterpiece from the man who invented the word “robot”
This legendary but previously hard-to-get novel is a hilarious dystopian satire about the choice between ecological catastrophe and making your quarterly financial goals. As both a commentary on capitalism and the rise of fascism, as well as an early work of science fiction, it is one of the most important books of the twentieth century.
When the curmudgeonly sailor Captain von Toch discovers a breed of large, intelligent newts in far-off Polynesia, he realizes that, with a little training, they could be used as a virtual army of complacent pearl-divers in shark-infested waters. Then von Toch’s financial backers realize that the newts can be trained for all kinds of underwater civil engineering projects, or to build new islands, even to defend shorelines–wielding weapons, no less
There’s only one problem: released from their previous environment, the newts replicate like, well, aqua-bunnies. And soon they aren’t so complacent anymore.
Acclaimed by many as the first dystopian novel, and others as the best book of science fiction ever written, Karel Capek’s masterpiece remains all that and more: smart, funny, and relevant.
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