BKMT READING GUIDES



 
Dramatic,
Adventurous,
Interesting

1 review

Shambling Towards Hiroshima
by James Morrow

Published: 2009-02-01
Paperback : 170 pages
0 members reading this now
1 club reading this now
0 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members

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 ...

No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

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.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

No Excerpt Currently Available

Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Morrow starts his story by telling us that the narrator might commit suicide. What is the effect of starting the novella this way?
Thorley's grandmother never wanted him to play a vampire because the Jewish people have run from crosses enough. Is there any political significance in cheesy horror films? Discuss the discrimination in only using Christian solutions to evil in movies.
When Joy Groelish buries three dead dwarf lizards (knowing the next three will also die) she tells a Japanese fable about a samurai's daughter killing a dragon. Why do you think she chose this story when she clearly feels bad about the dwarfs?
by RockinRenee (see profile) 06/14/12

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "A Great Science Fiction Novel for anyone who loves either monster movies, WWII, or old Hollywood."by Nicole A. (see profile) 06/14/12

My book club wanted to do a science fiction book for a little bit of a change so I looked up old Hugo Award winners to find a good one, and find a good one I did. Shambling Towards Hiroshima is a very... (read more)

Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search




FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...