Without Warning (novel)
| Without Warning | |
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| Author(s) | John Birmingham |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Alternate history, Techno-thriller novel |
| Publisher | Pan MacMillan |
| Publication date | 2008 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Followed by | After America |
Without Warning, is an alternate history novel written by Australian author John Birmingham and released in Australia in September 2008 and in the United States and the United Kingdom in February 2009.[1] It is the first book in a new stand-alone universe. A second novel, titled After America, continues the story.[2]
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[edit] Development
Birmingham said he was inspired to write the novel after hearing someone during a student demonstration at the University of Queensland say the world would be a better place if the United States disappeared.[1]
[edit] Plot summary
On the eve of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 14 March 2003, the bulk of the United States' population (along with the bulk of the populations of Canada, Mexico, and Cuba) disappears as the result of a large energy field that becomes known as The Wave. Without Warning deals with the international consequences of the disappearance of the world's last super power on the eve of war.
[edit] Literary significance and reception
Jim Hopper of the San Diego Union-Tribune said Without Warning is an example of "'mainstream' genres (thrillers particularly) [that] incorporate some SFnal elements pretty often as greater or lesser plot element."[3]
[edit] References to other works
Without Warning contains a large number of references to popular culture. Birmingham said he did this as a nod to Stephen King:
When I was a kid and started reading big, fat books, the thing that struck me about his novels, so different to the dull, dull things they made us read at school, was they were full of real world references.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Graeme Blundell (2008-10-18). "On lowbrow street". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24495166-16947,00.html. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
- ^ "MCC-Longview 2008 Literary Festival". Metropolitan Community College. 2008. http://mcckc.edu/home.asp?qlinks=2008+Literary+Festival+Authors&C=2. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ David M (April 22, 2009). "The Future of Newspapers and Book Coverage: A Book Reviewer Roundtable". Suvudu. http://www.suvudu.com/2009/04/the-future-of-newspapers-and-book-coverage-a-book-reviewer-roundtable.html. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
[edit] External links
- Review in The Independent Weekly
- Without Warning review on SF Site
- Without Warning on Google Books
- Without Warning review on the American Spectator
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