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Without Warning (novel)
Encyclopedia
Without Warning, is an alternate history novel written by Australia
n author John Birmingham
and released in Australia in September 2008
and in the United States
and the United Kingdom
in February 2009
. It is the first book in a new stand-alone universe. A second novel, titled After America
, continues the story.
say the world would be a better place if the United States disappeared.
, 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.
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."
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n author John Birmingham
John Birmingham
John Birmingham is an Australian author. Birmingham was born in Liverpool, England and migrated to Australia with his parents in 1970.-Early life and career:...
and released in Australia in September 2008
2008 in literature
The year 2008 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*January 1 - In the 2008 New Year Honours, Hanif Kureishi , Jenny Uglow , Peter Vansittart and Debjani Chatterjee are all rewarded for "services to literature".*June 15 - Gore Vidal, asked in a New York Times...
and in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in February 2009
2009 in literature
The year 2009 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*8 October - Romanian-born German novelist Herta Müller wins the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature....
. It is the first book in a new stand-alone universe. A second novel, titled After America
After America
After America is an alternate history novel written by Australian author John Birmingham and released in Australia in July 2010. It was released in the United States on 17 August 2010.-Synopsis:...
, continues the story.
Development
Birmingham said he was inspired to write the novel after hearing someone during a student demonstration at the University of QueenslandUniversity of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
say the world would be a better place if the United States disappeared.
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 CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) 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.
Literary significance and reception
Jim HopperJim Hopper
James McDaniel Hopper was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher for one season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. For his career, he compiled an 0-1 record, with a 10.38 earned run average, and one strikeout in 4⅓ innings pitched.He was born and later died in Charlotte, North...
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."
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