War with the Newts
Karel Capek
I am eternally grateful to my science fiction class for exposing me to this book. I can't imagine that I lived in a world without it. Well, okay, maybe that's saying to much, but War with the Newts is a satirical masterpiece. It is the perfect mixture of poignant political commentary and outright absurd humor. Capek takes on imperialism and the human fondness for pride and egocentric views of the world, leaving no country untouched (not even his own Czechoslovakia) and even offering a disturbingly correct view of Nazi politics. This book, simply put, is a masterpiece. Every fan of Vonnegut should read this book, as should anyone fed up with capitalism and imperialist America-centric politics of the world today.
Capek's satire is so deft and so accurate because his premise is at once inherently silly and blatantly metaphorical. Readers can laugh at the absurdity of a humanoid newt species taking over the world, but Capek's analysis makes that ending not only laughable but frighteningly realistic. The strongest narrative thread illustrates how the imperialists (that is to say, the humans) have put this fate upon themselves, a fact most brilliantly illuminated in the book's final chapter, in which Capek debates with himself over how to end the book. The development of the newts is so brilliantly constructed that the reader can see the ending a mile away, though it still retains a force akin to a slap in the face. The reader is amazed that things turn out as they do, but not surprised. The ending is perfect.
The only thing that is possibly missing from the narrative is a more in-depth discussion of newtonian (pun initially not intended, then reinstated) development. It seems to me like the newts take significant leaps rather quickly, but as Capek was clearly not aiming for strict realism, this can be forgiven. His analysis does include quite a bit of "documentation", providing in itself a wonderful satire of research that the history major in me rejoices at. The important thing about the newts is that they do evolve, and the book is certainly not lacking in the evolutionary history of the newts. Their origin and development loosely parallel that of colonized peoples, which creates an interesting dilemma for the reader: who are we supposed to root for? This confusion is yet another example of Capek's abilities with biting satire; we want to root for ourselves, but Capek forces us to realize that we really don't deserve the support or respect.
Capek is surely one of the greatest satirists of the 20th century. His take on imperialism and the absolute greed of capitalism makes its point without being dogmatic (a la The Jungle). The socialist in me adores this book, as does the anarchist, the skeptic, the Democrat, the history major, the evolutionary theorist, the comic...this book appeals to everyone somehow. There is something in each of us within War with the Newts. May Capek never fade into obscurity, and may the generations to follow read his work, laugh, and learn.
Grade: A
Karel Capek
I am eternally grateful to my science fiction class for exposing me to this book. I can't imagine that I lived in a world without it. Well, okay, maybe that's saying to much, but War with the Newts is a satirical masterpiece. It is the perfect mixture of poignant political commentary and outright absurd humor. Capek takes on imperialism and the human fondness for pride and egocentric views of the world, leaving no country untouched (not even his own Czechoslovakia) and even offering a disturbingly correct view of Nazi politics. This book, simply put, is a masterpiece. Every fan of Vonnegut should read this book, as should anyone fed up with capitalism and imperialist America-centric politics of the world today.
Capek's satire is so deft and so accurate because his premise is at once inherently silly and blatantly metaphorical. Readers can laugh at the absurdity of a humanoid newt species taking over the world, but Capek's analysis makes that ending not only laughable but frighteningly realistic. The strongest narrative thread illustrates how the imperialists (that is to say, the humans) have put this fate upon themselves, a fact most brilliantly illuminated in the book's final chapter, in which Capek debates with himself over how to end the book. The development of the newts is so brilliantly constructed that the reader can see the ending a mile away, though it still retains a force akin to a slap in the face. The reader is amazed that things turn out as they do, but not surprised. The ending is perfect.
The only thing that is possibly missing from the narrative is a more in-depth discussion of newtonian (pun initially not intended, then reinstated) development. It seems to me like the newts take significant leaps rather quickly, but as Capek was clearly not aiming for strict realism, this can be forgiven. His analysis does include quite a bit of "documentation", providing in itself a wonderful satire of research that the history major in me rejoices at. The important thing about the newts is that they do evolve, and the book is certainly not lacking in the evolutionary history of the newts. Their origin and development loosely parallel that of colonized peoples, which creates an interesting dilemma for the reader: who are we supposed to root for? This confusion is yet another example of Capek's abilities with biting satire; we want to root for ourselves, but Capek forces us to realize that we really don't deserve the support or respect.
Capek is surely one of the greatest satirists of the 20th century. His take on imperialism and the absolute greed of capitalism makes its point without being dogmatic (a la The Jungle). The socialist in me adores this book, as does the anarchist, the skeptic, the Democrat, the history major, the evolutionary theorist, the comic...this book appeals to everyone somehow. There is something in each of us within War with the Newts. May Capek never fade into obscurity, and may the generations to follow read his work, laugh, and learn.
Grade: A
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