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53 pages 1 hour read

Karel Čapek

War with the Newts

Karel ČapekFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1936

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Book Brief

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Karel Čapek

War with the Newts

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1936
Book Details
Pages

241

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Worldwide • 1930s

Publication Year

1936

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Karel Čapek's War with the Newts, Captain van Toch discovers talking, tool-using newts on a remote island and commercializes them for pearl harvesting, leading to their widespread exploitation. As the intelligent newts develop their own society and interact with humans, their increasing demands for territory escalate into a global conflict, challenging human civilization.

Mysterious

Dark

Fantastical

Reviews & Readership

4.0

15,671 ratings

79%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Karel Čapek's War with the Newts is lauded for its satirical brilliance and innovative narrative, blending humor with a deep critique of human nature and societal flaws. However, some readers find its pacing uneven and the allegory occasionally heavy-handed. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking and influential work in speculative fiction.

Who should read this

Who Should Read War with the Newts?

Fans of speculative fiction with a satirical edge, like those who enjoy 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, will appreciate Karel Čapek's War with the Newts. This novel’s blend of dark humor, social critique, and imaginative storytelling appeals to readers fascinated by the intersection of politics, society, and futuristic scenarios.

4.0

15,671 ratings

79%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

241

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Worldwide • 1930s

Publication Year

1936

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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