Camouflage
by Joe Haldeman
List Price:
Our Price: $2.50
You Save: $5.49 (69%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Joe HaldemanEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-07-26
ISBN: 0441012523
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Ace
Book Reviews of Camouflage
Book Review: An observation on human nature
Summary: 4 Stars
Like much of science fiction, Haldeman's "Camouflage" is really a reflection on human nature, using the eyes of an alien (actually, two different aliens). There's little here that requires an alien presence, it's really just the MacGuffin to allow Haldeman to give an analysis of mankind over the time he's been alive. Luckily, he does not fall into the trap of having the alien learn to do things - e.g. drive a car, shop at a mall, etc. Haldeman instead concentrates on what it is to BE human, in a much more philosophical sense.
The plot is basically window dressing to allow the alien(s) to observe human nature. Such as it is, however, it is quite interesting. In 1931, the changling, who has lived as a shark and other sea creatures, ventures onto land to try living as a human. He kills a teenager and assumes his physical form. Because he's never really observed humans before, and can't speak the language, it is concluded that he has suffered neurological damage and assigned to an asylum. As his observations progress, he learns more and more what it is to be human. This story is intercut with the discovery of an ancient and obviously alien artifact on the ocean floor, and the scientists' efforts to study it (it's secrets are not readily forthcoming, to say the least). The changling passes through the years in a variety of guises, and eventually comes "up-to-date" and joins the same timeline as the scientists. We, the readers, know there is a connection between the changling and the artifact, but not exactly what.
There is also a second alien, of a totally different species, on the prowl. Unlike the Changling, this creature is a sadistic monster who idolises such people as Auschwitz's "Dr. Death," Joseph Mengele. This character is clearly the weakest part of the book. What is this second alien doing on Earth? Where did he come from? It's almost like Haldeman needed something to flesh out the story, so arbitrarily foisted another unrelated alien into it. Perhaps he meant it to be a counterpoint to the Changling, but he simply doesn't develop the character enough to make it interesting or relevant to the story.
However, it's only on hindsight that you're disappointed with the second alien's contribution to the story. Overall it's a well-paced, well-thought-out, and interesting read. At a slim 290 pages, and with 47 chapters in that space, you can imagine that the book moves at a good clip and is difficult to put down. It's no "Forever War," and may not have deserved the awards it's won, but it is a very satisfying (if quick) read.
Summary of Camouflage
Two aliens have wandered Earth for centuries. The Changeling has survived by adapting the forms of many different organisms. The Chameleon destroys anything or anyone that threatens it.
Now, a sunken relic that holds the key to their origins calls to them to take them home?but the Chameleon has decided there's only room for one.
Literature & Fiction Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Literature & Fiction Books
Little Womenby Louisa May Alcott
Scribner; Published: 1986-06-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops:
The Killing Groundby JACK HIGGINS
HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS LTD; Published: 2007; Hardcover; Book
Saving Fish from Drowningby Amy Tan
4th Estate; Published: 2005; Paperback; Book
Life Expectancyby Dean Koontz
Harpercollins Pb; Published: 2005-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.00
Constant Princessby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone/Simon & Schuster; Published: 2005; Hardcover; Book
Wolf of the Plains (Conqueror, Book 1)by Conn Iggulden
Harper; Published: 2007; Paperback; Book
Saharaby Clive Cussler
Harper Collins Pb; Published: 2005-03-21; Paperback; Book
Perelandra (Cosmic Trilogy)by C. S. Lewis
Voyager; Published: 2005-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.79
Price in other shops:
The Lord Of The Rings: Part 2 The Two Towersby J. R. R. Tolkien
Harper Collins Publishers; Published: 2001; Paperback; Book
Red Marsby Kim Stanley Robinson
Trafalgar Square; Published: 2001-06; Paperback; Book
Similar Books and other products
Marsboundby Joe Haldeman
Ace Hardcover; Published: 2008-08-05; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $8.02
Price in other shops:
Marsboundby Joe Haldeman
Ace; Published: 2009-07-28; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.08
Price in other shops:
A Separate War and Other Storiesby Joe Haldeman
Ace; Published: 2007-07-31; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.90
Price in other shops:
Seekerby Jack McDevitt
Ace; Published: 2006-10-31; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.15
Price in other shops:
The Windup Girlby Paolo Bacigalupi
Night Shade Books; Published: 2010-04-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.29
Price in other shops:
Old Twentiethby Joe Haldeman
Ace; Published: 2006-07-25; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.25
Price in other shops:
The Forever Warby Joe Haldeman
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 2009-02-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.06
Price in other shops:
Starbound (A Marsbound Novel)by Joe Haldeman
Ace Hardcover; Published: 2010-01-05; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $5.25
Price in other shops:
The Accidental Time Machineby Joe Haldeman
Ace; Published: 2008-07-29; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
Forever Peace (Forever War, Book 2)by Joe Haldeman
Ace; Published: 1998-10-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.92
Price in other shops: