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More copies of this ISBNeBook editionsShambling Towards Hiroshimaby James Morrow
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:In the tradition of Godzilla as both a playful romp and a parable of the dawn of the nuclear era, this original satire blends the destruction of World War II with the halcyon pleasure of monster movies. In the summer of 1945 war is reigning in the Pacific Rim, while in the U.S., Syms Thorley continues his life as a B-movie actor. But the U.S. Navy would like to use Thorley in their top-secret Knickerbocker Project, putting the finishing touches on the ultimate biological weapon: a breed of gigantic, fire-breathing, mutant iguanas. Thorley is to don a rubber suit that will transform him into the merciless Gorgantis and star in a film that simulates the destruction of a miniature Japan—if the demonstration succeeds, the Japanese will surrender, sparing thousands of lives; if it fails, the mutant lizards will be unleashed. Godzilla devotees and history buffs alike will be fascinated by this conspiratorial secret history of a war, a weapon, and an unlikely hero who will have to give the most convincing performance of his life. Review:"In this witty and touching paean to the glory days of horror movies, elderly former B-movie actor Syms Thorley looks back from 1984 to recall his involvement in the infamous Knickerbocker Project. Near the end of WWII, facing a shortage of plutonium, the U.S. government scrapped the atomic bomb and instead built giant monsters to ravage Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Alongside a group of genuine Hollywood bigwigs — including Willis O'Brien, James Whale and Brenda Weisberg — Thorley helps craft a realistic movie of the havoc-wreaking Gorgantis, hoping to terrify Japanese leaders into surrendering. The sheer insanity of the premise only makes the eventual payoff even more powerful, and though Morrow (The Last Witchfinder) occasionally indulges in slapstick, he never loses sight of the need to make his characters fascinating and real." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.) About the AuthorJames Morrow is a Nebula Awardwinner and the author of Blameless in Abaddon, The Cats Pajamas, City of Truth, The Eternal Footman, The Last Witchfinder, Only Begotten Daughter, and Towing Jehovah. He lives in State College, Pennsylvania. What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!Average customer rating based on 1 comment:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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